Abstract:
The anthropometric reference curves for supervising children should derive from the population or subpopulation in which the child lives. So it would be interesting to compare the individuals of a population living under the same conditions by using local reference curves. There are few studies undertaken to achieve the local reference curves in developing countries, especially in our country, these studies are not available or accessible if they exist. Our goals are to present our methodology for the development of local reference curves for children and adolescents 6-18 years in the town of Constantine; to compare the methodology followed in our experience with that recommended by WHO (1995) and that used by other countries and to suggest adjustments to improve our methodology. The transversal study by visiting schools is combined with a socio economic description during the period 2008-2009. The target population consists of children and adolescents aged 6-18 years and enrolled residents in the town of Constantine. The study was conducted as recommended by WHO (1995). The total measured is 8 187 students (54.8% female) ranging in age between 5-21 years. The data excluded, following specific criteria, are about 407 students. The final number used for the treatment of data is 7 780 students. These anthropometric data will be used to construct the local growth curves of Constantine, the socioeconomic data will be used to characterize the population studied. The development of growth reference curves is difficult task which can be undertaken only by a group of organizations orchestrated by researchers and experts.
