Growth data of underprivileged children living in rural areas of Chin State, Burma/Myanmar, compared to the WHO reference growth standards: an observational study

Objectives: To explore growth data (height-for-age, weight-for-age and BMI-for-age) of children living in poor socioeconomic conditions in rural areas of Chin State, Burma/Myanmar; and to compare these data with the growth and development z-score (GDZ) values for school-aged children and adolescents, provided by the WHO. Setting: A support and educational programme, run by the Swedish association Chin Development and Research Society (CDRS), was carried out among underprivileged school-aged children, unable to attend school without economic and practical support, living in villages and remote areas in Chin State. Participants: Community leaders who were well familiar with the citizens in the community identified children in need of this support. Other community members could also suggest or apply for this. The sample includes all participating children in the CDRS programme at the time of the data collection in six townships. The children were placed in host families, close to a suitable school. Two samples with a total of 639 children from 144 villages and remote areas were obtained: 1. Children in the CDRS Chin Programme (CCP) (20072010) comprised 558 children: 50% girls and boys. 2. Children in the Chin Society (CCS) (2010) comprised 81 children: 44% girls and 56% boys. Primary outcome measures: Growth data. Results: All growth data from both groups deviated significantly from the WHO standard references (p=0.001). The prevalence of stunting (height-for-age <=-2SD) was 52% among girls and 68% among boys. High levels of wasting (weight-for-age <=-2SD) were found among girls 29% and boys 36% aged 5-10 years. In addition, severe thinness (BMI-for-age <=-2SD) was found among girls 31% and boys 44%, all results to be compared to the expected 2.27%. Conclusions: Many more than expected-according to the WHO reference values-in CCP and CCS suffered from stunting, wasting and thinness.