Comparison of mean weight and height growth of governmental and private students of primary schools of Zahedan district, Iran.

Background: The main objective of this study was determination of presence of any difference
between mean weight and height growth of students of Zahedan district and also their comparison
of with National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) standards.
Methods and materials: This cross-sectional study was performed during 2001- 2002. Using a
cluster sampling method, 1750 students (7 to 11 years old) were selected from student population of
primary schools of different areas of Zahedan. Height and weight were measured with standard
methods and a questionnaire was filled for every student. The students were categorized in five
groups and the comparisons were made using t-test.
Results: In all age groups, students of governmental schools located in deprived suburban
areas were shorter than the students of private schools (P<0.05) and their mean weight were about
6 kilograms lower (P<0.05). Comparison of all the students of Zahedan with NCHS standards
shows that their mean weight and height (in all age groups) is significantly lowers (P<0.001).
Conclusions: These findings implicate that socioeconomic factors may have a significant
impact on growth and development of children. As another issue preparation of a national standard
framework for measurement of children growth and development is necessary for future studies and
have to come into consideration.