Abstract
Adolescence is one of the most challenging phases of human life, and it is characterized with a rapid pattern of growth and development. Due to its uniqueness, it is of utmost importance to assess and monitor the nutritional status during adolescence as it lays out the foundation of healthy growth and lifestyle toward adulthood. Growth assessment of adolescents provides a dynamic testimonial to their general health and nutritional status. Considering physiological and biological changes during this period, the use of anthropometry provides the best means of monitoring physical growth and evaluating any abnormalities or deviations from normal growth, such as underweight, overweight, stunting, and wasting. The assessment of nutritional status necessitates the use of appropriate measurement techniques and good reliable tools such as growth references to ensure obtaining the highest quality of data. Growth references are among the most sensitive and valuable tools for evaluating children’s health and development. In 2007, the World Health Organization (WHO) developed growth references for adolescents with aim to fill the gap in the old growth charts and provide references for the 5–19 years age group. These curves provide insights into monitoring growth and nutritional health as well as provide accurate estimates of malnutrition in this critical developmental phase. This chapter provides, firstly, an overview of growth charts as an assessment tool and, secondly, a summary on the interpretation of growth patterns in health and disease among adolescents and implications of adolescent growth assessment using the new WHO references within the MENA region.
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Reflection Questions
Reflection Questions
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1.
If countries were to use standardized growth charts for assessment and monitoring, what other gaps need to be filled with regard to adolescent growth assessment?
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2.
The WHO growth charts represent standards for global population growth globally. Should countries develop local cutoff points based on local uses, growth patterns, and resources?
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3.
Proper measurement and interpretation require standardization of methods and techniques. In what ways can this be improved in the context of the MENA region?
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4.
For obtaining accurate interpretation, it is important to comprehend the plotting and reading of measurements. How important is it to educate mothers on this and how can that be achieved?
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5.
Nutritional problems are prevalent during adolescence due to rapid growth and increasing nutrient needs. What intervention strategies can be applied on the community level to prevent and reduce their occurrence?
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Cheikh Ismail, L., Al Dhaheri, A.S. (2022). Growth Assessment in Adolescence: Measurement and Interpretation for the Middle East and North Africa. In: Barakat, C., Dghaim, R., Al Anouti, F. (eds) Adolescent Health in the Middle East and North Africa. Global Perspectives on Health Geography. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-92107-1_7
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