Final Report (PDF, 2132K) - Measure DHS

Summary of Nutritional Status by AgeFigure 6.3 provides a summary of the nutritional status of children in Ondo State by age. Thefigure shows the mean standard deviation score of all children from the mean of the reference populationin terms of height-for-age, weight-for-age and weight-for-height.The height-for-age index indicates a mean value which is about -0.6 standard deviations from thereference mean at six months and about -2.0 standard deviations from the reference mean at thirty-sixmonths. The weight-for-age index shows a similar trend with age being about -0.6 standard deviationfrom the reference mean at six months of age and about -1.5 standard deviations at thirty-six months. Onthe other hand, the weight-for-height index is only -0.2 standard deviations from the reference mean at sixmonths, falls to -0.8 standard deviations at fourteen months and is back at about -0.3 standard deviationsat thirty-six months.Each of these indices presents a different perspective on the nutritional problems of children inOndo State. The weight-for-height index shows that undemutrition of recent onset is most common inchildren 12-18 months of age. The height-for-age index shows that undemutrition of longer standing(stunting) is most pronounced in children 30-36 months. However, at this age the weight-for-heightindex is close to the reference population mean, and the children do not appear undernourished.Nutritional Status of Children6-36 Months Compared toInternational ReferenceFigure 6.3SD's from International Reference0-1-2-306 12 18 24 30 36Age in MonthsWeight-for-Age ~' Height-for-Age ~ Weight-for-Height IOndo State DHS 198672