Height and weight of Southeast Asian preschool children in Northern California

Abstract

Anthropometric data were obtained from 526 South-east Asian preschool children during 1980-84. Length of time in the United States averaged 21.8 months. Mean weights and heights were substantially below the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) 50th percentile. Although 39 per cent of children were below the 5th percentile of height for age, only 7 per cent were below the 5th percentile of weight for height. Rates of weight and height gain were similar to reference values, indicating adequate growth after arrival in the US.