Gender Dispsarity in Growth Dynamics among Nigerian Igbo School Children.

Abstract

This is an non-invasive study involving. four hundred and eight (480) primary school pupils aged between 6 and 14 years (mean + SD; 8 + 6 years) enlisted into the study, were examined between September and November. Their height, weight and head circumference were measured in appropriate standard international units. Results showed that at 6 years, average weight of girls was 22.62 + 6.5kg compared to 20 .38 + 5.3 kg (p<0.05) for boys. Girls continued to demonstrate greater growth dynamics in terms of weight until age 12 years when boys had an average weight of 37.3 + 7.4kg compared to 36.9 + 5.3 kg (N.S) for girls. Furthermore, at age 6yr, girls had an average height of 122.2 + 10.5cm compared to 120.4 + 6.7 (p<0.05) for boys. However, at age 12 years, boys had an average height of 144.23 + 6.7cm compared to 139.7 + 6.4 (p<0.01) for girls. The average head circumference of boys was at each age group greater than that of girls. In study, girls showed grater growth dynamics compared to boys before puberty. However, at puberty (11-13 years) boys had greater growth rate compare to girls. In addition, growth in head circumference in boys in all ages was greater than of girls.

Keywords: Igbo girls, boys, growth dynamics