DETERMINANTS OF VARIABILITY AMONG NATIONS IN CHILD GROWTH

This cross-national study aimed at understanding variability in growth among nations and its determinants. It examined the variability of gr owth among nations, the factors most important for explaining this var iability, how these factors jointly determine growth, and the consiste ncy of the patterns and relationships. A conceptual model was adapted from U. Jonsson. National data on height and weight of children, sex, ethnicity, and 15 social, economic, health, education, and political f actors were combined from three secondary sources. A sequence of multi ple linear regression models was used with three age groups: 1-2, 3-5, and 6-10 years. Substantial variability in growth among nations was s een in comparison to that within nations. Regression models with sex, ethnicity, food security, maternal and child care, and health services and environment explained a large percentage of this variability. Ins titutions, politics/ideology, economic structure, and potential resour ces contributed little additionally to the models. Ethnic differences among nations were observed and persisted even when models controlled for other factors, but should not necessarily be interpreted as geneti c differences. Determinants for height, weight, and weight adjusted fo r height were somewhat different. Adjustment for only previous growth and sex explained about 90% of variability in growth, supporting the a ssumption that growth patterns are generally established early in life . As policy decisions and programmes addressing mild-to-moderate malnu trition are increasingly considered, the implications of cross-nationa l variability in growth may assume greater importance. Future work sho uld examine simultaneously the effects of national, community, family, and individual characteristics on growth using data from individuals in a number of nations.