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Rezaeian M, Salem Z, Hassanshahi Gh, Shamsaee A, Tourousian A, Hazareh R. Using body mass index (BMI) to assess nutritional status in Afghan immigrant children in Shahriyar region. Payesh 2008; 7 (1)
URL: http://payeshjournal.ir/article-1-673-en.html

Objective(s): To measure Body Mass Index (BMI) in Afghan immigrant children  in 2005.
Methods: In this survey we selected  606 Afghan children  aged 6-14 years  and measured  their weights and heights.  After calculating  body mass  index (BMI),  we categorized the subjects as underweight, normal,  or obese.
Results: This study showed  that 97 cases (16%)  had low  weight,  429 (81.2%)  fell  within the normal range
and 17 (2.8%) were over-weight.  Low weight was more common in girls than in boys (15.2% vs. 16.9%) but the difference was not statistically significant. Also, the prevalence  of low weight was greater in children born
in Iran (17.3%) than in those born in Afghanistan (15.2%).  Children with birth ranks of�3  were more likely
to have low weight in comparison to first- and second-born  subjects (17% vs. 15.3%), but the difference was not statistically significant.
Conclusion: In light of the high prevalence  of malnutrition  in Afghan· immigrant children,  interventional  and
educational programs are needed to improve health and nutrition status in Afghan immigrants.