Comparison of mean weight and height growth of governmental and private students of primary schools of Zahedan district, Iran.

Abstract

Background: The main objective of this study was determination of presence of any difference between mean weight and height growth of students of Zahedan district and also their comparison of with National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) standards. Methods and materials: This cross-sectional study was performed during 2001- 2002. Using a cluster sampling method, 1750 students (7 to 11 years old) were selected from student population of primary schools of different areas of Zahedan. Height and weight were measured with standard methods and a questionnaire was filled for every student. The students were categorized in five groups and the comparisons were made using t-test. Results: In all age groups, students of governmental schools located in deprived suburban areas were shorter than the students of private schools (P