Growth of Children in Somalia

Document Type

Article

Authors

Pia Grassivaro Gallo, Padua University, Padua, Italy
Marisa Franceschetti Mestriner, Padua University, Padua, Italy

Abstract

Average values for height, weight, arm and calf circumferences for 2,115 Somalis aged from birth to 18 years are presented. Height and weight means are plotted on American Standard Charts. The circumferences are compared with variables in Americans of European descent. We asked 397 Somali girls, aged 10 to 16 years, whether they had started to menstruate. The average age at menarche was calculated by probit analysis to be 13.1 ± 0.18 years. Because of the difference of the Somali means when compared with the international growth standards used for western populations, we propose the construction of local growth charts to use in Somalia.

Recommended Citation

Gallo, Pia Grassivaro and Mestriner, Marisa Franceschetti (1980) "Growth of Children in Somalia," Human Biology: Vol. 52: Iss. 3, Article 16.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/humbiol/vol52/iss3/16