This study compares age at enrolment in Primary School with a range of nutr
itional measures for 8-9 year old and 12-13 year old children in Ghana (n =
1566) and Tanzania (n = 1390). The results show that short stature (height
-for-age z-score), but not other nutritional variables (weight-for-age and
weight-for-height z-scores and haemoglobin concentration), is strongly asso
ciated with late enrolment. This relationship holds for both age group, sex
es and countries, and is independent of socio-economic status in Tanzania (
where this parameter was assessed). The relationship between stature and ag
e-appropriate grade becomes less marked with progression through school, wh
ich is compatible with a higher drop out rate for more stunted children. Th
ese results suggest an important role for health in education; that stunted
children enrol later in school and are more likely to drop out earlier. (C
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