F&N Bulletin Vol 23 No 1b - United Nations University

38
Soekirman et al.
TABLE 4. Z score and prevalence of nutritional status according to sex, age, and type of school, based
on weight-for-height (WH) indicator
Mean ± SD
Nutritional status (%)
Sex and age (yr) School n WH Z score < –2 SD Normal > 2 SD
Male
8 Public 161 –0.4892 ± 1.3124 7.45 86.96 5.59
Private 72 0.1318 ± 1.5357 4.17 84.72 11.11
Both types 233 –0.2973 ± 1.4115 6.44 86.27 7.30
9 Public 152 –0.4108 ± 1.3683 5.92 86.84 7.24
Private 73 0.4834 ± 1.7907 2.74 76.71 20.55
Both types 225 –0.1207 ± 1.5713 4.89 83.56 11.56
10 Public 151 –0.5109 ± 1.1507 5.30 91.39 3.31
Private 57 0.2205 ± 1.4937 5.26 82.46 12.28
Both types 208 –0.3105 ± 1.2923 5.29 88.94 5.77
All ages Public 464 –0.4706 ± 1.2793 6.25 88.36 5.39
Private 202 0.2839 ± 1.6209 3.96 81.19 14.85
Both types 666 –0.2417 ± 1.4332 5.56 86.19 8.26
Female
8 Public 161 –0.1965 ± 1.2813 3.73 90.68 5.59
Private 71 –0.0855 ± 1.2303 0.00 94.37 5.63
Both types 232 –0.1625 ± 1.2643 2.59 91.81 5.60
9 Public 154 –0.3711 ± 1.6293 3.90 92.86 3.25
Private 59 –0.5215 ± 1.0006 6.78 93.22 0.00
Both types 213 –0.4127 ± 1.4813 4.69 92.96 2.35
10 Public 95 –0.5320 ± 1.0717 6.32 92.63 1.05
Private 39 0.0763 ± 2.1726 0.00 92.31 7.69
Both types 134 –0.3549 ± 1.4957 4.48 92.54 2.99
All ages Public 410 –0.3398 ± 1.3843 4.39 91.95 3.66
Private 169 –0.2004 ± 1.4503 2.37 93.49 4.14
Both types 579 –0.2991 ± 1.4041 3.80 92.40 3.80
younger children is relatively better than that of the
older children when they were the same age.
Comparability of different anthropometric indices:
wasting (weight-for-height) versus thinness (BMI)
indicators
Anthropometric data analysis revealed that the BMI
indicator of “thinness” (based on NHANES reference
values) might not provide similar information to
weight-for-height as an indicator of wasting. The
proportion of wasted (< –2 SD weight-for-height) and
thin (below the 5th percentile of BMI) children is not
the same. The figure is higher when the BMI is used
than when the weight-for-height indicator is used.
Therefore, using the 5th percentile of BMI to detect
wasting results in more false positives.
To determine overweight, this study analyzed the use
of BMI and the Z scores for weight-for-age, heightfor-age,
and weight-for-height. BMI proved to be
comparable with other indices for detecting overweight
among children aged 8 to 10 years. However, BMI is
not appropriate for detecting wasting and thinness for
that age group. Therefore, the use of the tables from
WHO [11] and Must et al. [12] to assess nutritional
status should be considered.
Acknowledgments
We extend our gratitude to ILSISEA, especially to
Ms. Yeong Boon Yee for her attention and advice. We
are also very grateful to Prof. Aman Wirakusumah,
Rector, Bogor Agricultural University, and Dr. Subagyo
Muljodihardjo, Director of the Academy of Nutrition
(Akademi Gizi), Jakarta, for allowing the faculty members
and staff and students to participate. We extend
our deep appreciation to the principals, teachers, and
pupils of the 16 primary schools from Bogor and
West Jakarta for their permission and willingness
to be included in the study. Without their cooperation
and understanding, this study would have been
impossible.