Using body mass index (BMI) to assess nutritional status in Afghan immigrant children in Shahriyar region

To measure Body Mass Index (BMI) in Afghan immigrant children in 2005.

In this survey we selected 606 Afghan children aged 6-14 years and measured their weights and heights. After calculating body mass index (BMI), we categorized the subjects as underweight, normal, or obese.

This study showed that 97 cases (16%) had low weight, 429 (81.2%) fell within the normal range and 17 (2.8%) were over-weight. Low weight was more common in girls than in boys (15.2% vs. 16.9%) but the difference was not statistically significant. Also, the prevalence of low weight was greater in children born in Iran (17.3%) than in those born in Afghanistan (15.2%). Children with birth ranks of3 were more likely to have low weight in comparison to first- and second-born subjects (17% vs. 15.3%), but the difference was not statistically significant.

In light of the high prevalence of malnutrition in Afghan· immigrant children, interventional and educational programs are needed to improve health and nutrition status in Afghan immigrants.