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

• Published in: Early human development Vol. 84; no. 9; pp. 613 - 621
• Main Authors: Abubakar, Amina, Van de Vijver, Fons, Van Baar, Anneloes, Mbonani, Leonard, Kalu, Raphael, Newton, Charles, Holding, Penny
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.09.2008; New York,NY Elsevier; Amsterdam
• Subjects: Advanced Basic Science; Anthropometry; Biological and medical sciences; Body Height - physiology; Child; Child Development - physiology; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Embryology: invertebrates and vertebrates. Teratology; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Growth Disorders - economics; Growth Disorders - epidemiology; Growth Disorders - physiopathology; Humans; Kenya - epidemiology; Male; Neonatal and Perinatal Medicine; Nutritional Status - physiology; Poverty; Psychomotor Disorders - economics; Psychomotor Disorders - epidemiology; Psychomotor Disorders - physiopathology; Social Class; Kenya; Human; Psychomotor development; Child; Anthropometry
• ISSN: 0378-3782; 1872-6232
• DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2008.02.003

Sub-optimal physical growth has been suggested as a key pathway between the effect of environmental risk and developmental outcome. To determine if anthropometric status mediates the relation between socioeconomic status and psychomotor development of young children in resource-limited settings. A cross-sectional study design was used. 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). Psychomotor functioning was assessed using a locally developed and validated measure, the Kilifi Developmental Inventory. 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. 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.