Sudip Datta Banik1*, Barry Bogin2, Federico Dickinson1 Effect of stunting and socioeconomic traits on height distance and velocity in boys and girls aged 9 to 18 years in Merida, Yucatan Sudip Datta Banik1*, Barry Bogin2, Federico Dickinson1 1Department of Human Ecology, Cinvestav-Merida, Mexico 2Centre for Global Health and Human Development, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, United Kingdom *sdbanik@hotmail.com; dattabanik@mda.cinvestav.mx Cinvestav RESULTS ABOUT THIS STUDY In a mixed longitudinal study carried out during 2008 to 2010 in Merida, Yucatan, the height of 975 school-going children and adolescents (475 boys and 500 girls) aged 9 to 18 years were measured twice with a gap of one calendar year. Boys and girls are shorter, on average, compared with WHO growth references. Rates of stunting for boys equalled 11.16% and for girls 12.6%. Peak height velocity in stunted subjects was about one year delayed compared with non-stunted subjects of either sex. Height growth (cm per year) was higher in stunted subjects at some ages especially at puberty. (Figures 1 & 2) OBJECTIVES To record height (cm) of school going children and adolescents of both sexes on two consecutive occasions with a gap of one year aged between 9 to 17 years and 10 to 18 years respectively. To estimate height growth (cm per year) by age and sex. 3. To estimate height for age z-scores and to observe differences in height distance and velocity among stunted and normally growing subjects. 4. To describe varying growth rates among subjects of different socioeconomic backgrounds (SES). Boys and girls with normal birth weight and higher socioeconomic status (SES) were consistently taller. Mayan subjects were consistently shortest and had the lowest SES. Boys of Ethnic group I (Mayan) had higher growth rate, especially at the age of PHV compared to the other groups (II and III, Mestizos). Among girls this trend was found to be opposite. METHODS Sample 975 Boys and girls from schools in Merida, Yucatan. United States of America Florida SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS (Nominal and ordinal) Paternal and maternal surnames: I. Maya-Maya II. Maya-Non Maya III. Non Maya-Non Maya Ethnicity Less than 2500 grams Higher than 2500 grams Birth weight Technical, General services including professionals Fathers’ occupation 1= First measurement; 2= Second measurement North of Merida South of Merida Zone of residence Weight, Height, BMI Anthropometric Data Up to High School, University education Mothers’ education Statistical Techniques T-Test, ANOVA, Correlation Spearman and Pearson, Chi Square SPSS 13.0 for Windows Index of crowding Number of family members/number of rooms : Not crowded(<3), Crowded (> 3) (2) Health care Public Private Below 20 years 20 to 29 years 30 years and above Mothers’ age at delivery CONCLUSION Smoothing of data was performed through LMS Professor Tanner’s legacy lives on as new topics for adolescent research are developed. Acknowledgement: The study was a part of research project (*) Ecología humana de la migración en Yucatán (CONACYT 59994-H) of Dr. Federico Dickinson