Naslov
Exploring the effect of socioeconomic development on child growth in posttransitional Croatia: a cross-sectional study

Autori
Musić Milanović, Sanja ; Lang Morović, Maja ; Križan, Helena ; Pezer, Martina ; Seferović, Jelena ; Missoni, Saša

Izvornik
International journal of public health (1661-8556) 65 (2020), 4; 1299-1307

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
socioeconomic factors ; income ; educational status ; growth and development ; childhood obesity surveillance initiative ; Croatia

Sažetak
Objectives To determine the relationship between socioeconomic development (SD) of local administrative units (LAU) and the height and body mass index (BMI) of second- and third-grade children in Croatia. Methods We analyzed average height-for-age and BMI-for-age z-scores of 99 LAUs, based on the measurement of 5662 children participating in the Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative Croatia. SD was defined according to the governmental Development index. Pearson’s correlations between average height and BMI z-scores and SD were calculated. We used ANOVA to test differences in average height and BMI z-scores among LAUs from different SD quartiles and multiple linear regression to investigate the association between average height-for-age z-scores and SD. Results Height- for-age was significantly correlated with SD. We found a difference in average height-for-age between the least and more developed LAUs. A multiple linear regression model showed significant association between Development index and the average height-for-age z-score (F = 13.085, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.119). Conclusions This finding is important for creators of policies worldwide as socioeconomic inequalities in children’s height may exist in other countries that, like Croatia, have recently gone through the transition process.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Socijalne djelatnosti, Kognitivna znanost (prirodne, tehničke, biomedicina i zdravstvo, društvene i humanističke znanosti), Obrazovne znanosti (psihologija odgoja i obrazovanja, sociologija obrazovanja, politologija obrazovanja, ekonomika obrazovanja, antropologija obrazovanja, neuroznanost i rano učenje, pedagoške discipline)

POVEZANOST RADA