Reference growth charts for Saudi Arabian children and adolescents

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Abstract

The purpose of this study is to provide Saudi Arabian population reference growth standards for height, weight, body mass index (BMI), head circumference and weight for length/stature. The estimated distribution centiles are obtained by splitting the population into two separate age groups$\colon$ infants, birth to 36 months and children and adolescents, age 2 to 19 years. The reference values were derived from cross-sectional data applying the LMS method of Cole and Green (Stat. in Medicine 1992; 11:1305-1319) using the lmsqreg package in R (public domain language for data analysis, 2009). The report provides an overview of how the method has been applied, more specifcally how the relevant issues concerning the construction of the growth charts have been addressed and is illustrated by just using the girls weight data (birth to three years old). These issues include identifying the outliers, diagnosing the appropriate amounts of smoothing and averaging the reference standards for the overlapping 2 to 3 year age range. The use of ANCOVA has been introduced and illustrated as a tool for making growth standard comparisons between different geographical regions and between genders.

Publication
Springer-Verlag; Series: Lecture Notes in Statistics

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Tatjana Kecojevic
Tatjana Kecojevic
statistician and ever evolving data scientist

My research work has developed my knowledge and skills within the area of applied statistical modelling. As such, the area of my research enhances the opportunities for cross discipline projects.

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