Comparıson Of The Growth and Development Of School Chıldren Attendıng To Prıvate and A Government Elementary School

Abstract

In this cross-sectional study the weight for age and height for age indices o f 289 children (141 boys and 148 girls) o f a private and a government elementary school in Üsküdar were compared. The percentage o f children below the 10 th percentile as far as the height for age index was concerned was 11.7% in the government school and there were no children below this percentile in the private school (Fisher's chi-square test, p<0.001). The differences between the children being above the 90 th percentile as far as the height for age index was concerned were found to be statistically significant between the two schools. The weight for age percentiles being both below the 10th percentile and above the 90th percentile were all found to be statistically significant when these two schools were compared. The weight for age and height for age indices were found to be not significantly as far as the number o f children in the family were concerned. As the mother's educational level increased the number o f children below the 10th percentiles decreased, the differences being statistically significant. This appeared to be also significant as far as the father's educational level was concerned. The number o f children above the 90th percentiles appeared to be statistically significant according to the father's educational level.