Socioeconomic status, anthropometric status, and psychomotor development of Kenyan children from resource-limited settings: a path-analytic study

Journal article

Background

Sub-optimal physical growth has been suggested as a key pathway between the effect of environmental risk and developmental outcome.

Aim

To determine if anthropometric status mediates the relation between socioeconomic status and psychomotor development of young children in resource-limited settings.

Study design

A cross-sectional study design was used.

Subjects

A total of 204 (105 girls) children from two resource-limited communities in the Coast Province, Kenya. The mean age of these children was 29 months (SD = 3.43; range: 24–35 months).

Outcome measure

Psychomotor functioning was assessed using a locally developed and validated measure, the Kilifi Developmental Inventory.

Results

A significant association was found between anthropometric status (as measured by weight-for-age, height-for-age, mid-upper arm circumference, and head circumference) and psychomotor functioning and also between socioeconomic status and anthropometric status; no direct effects were found between socioeconomic status and developmental outcome. The models showed that weight, height and to a lesser extent mid-upper arm circumference mediate the relation between socioeconomic status and developmental outcome, while head circumference did not show the same effect.

Conclusion

Among children under 3 years living in poverty, anthropometric status shows a clear association with psychomotor development while socioeconomic status may only have an indirect association.

Authors: Abubakar, A; Van de Vijver, F; Van Baar, A; Mbonani, L; Kalu, R

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Journal: Early Human Development
• Volume: 84
• Issue: 9
• Pages: 613-621
• Publication date: 2008-05-21
• Acceptance date: 2008-02-21
• DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2008.02.003
• EISSN: 1872-6232
• ISSN: 0378-3782
• Language: English