Abstract

ABSTRACT


Background: Anthropometric measurements are important in forensic investigations and in assessing the nutritional status of many paediatric patients. The present study was designed to evaluate the correlation between head circumference (HC), height and weight among Urhobo children and adolescents in Abraka, Delta State.


Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study used 1179 children from primary and secondary schools (629 males and 550 females) aged between 5-17 years. The subjects were selected using the proportional stratified sampling technique. Height was measured in centimetres with a stadiometer, and weight was measured in kilogramme using a weighing scale. An inelastic measuring tape was used to measure the head circumference in centimetres and these were compared based on gender using independent t-test. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.


Results: The weight and head circumferences were significantly larger in males than in females (p=0.001). The height of subjects in both 5-11 years and 12-17 years’ age-groups lacked significant sexual differences (p>0.05). There was a strong positive correlation between weight and height in both genders and age-groups as well as HC and weight in males of both age-groups and females aged 5-11 years. This correlation was also observed between the HC and height of males aged 12-17 years and females aged 5-11 years (0.5≤r<1. P<0.05).


Conclusion: The significant positive association between the variables and the sexual dimorphism in the weight and HC may be used in clinical assessment and forensic investigations involving the specified age-groups of the studied population.