Does one size fit all? The case for ethnic specific standards to assess growth in South Asian children

For South Asian adults lowered BMI cut-offs for overweight and obesity are recommended as these are more in agreement with their body composition (low muscle mass, high fat mass) and the considerably higher risk of cardiovascuar and metabolic disease. For South Asian children living in a Western country lowered BMI norms have not been established, nor other ethnic specific growth standards. The aims of this thesis are 1. to gain more insight into the normal physical growth of South Asian children 2. to develop South Asian specific height-for-age (0-21 years) and BMI-for-age (2-18 years) references, including BMI cut-offs. The studies in this thesis show that South Asian children are generally lighter and shorter than other ethnic groups. The mean birth weight is at 3012 grams around 450 grams lower than of Dutch babies and has remained unchanged for the past 35 years. In children 3-15 years thinness is highly prevalent and overweight prevalence is relatively low. Application of the developed height-for-age charts and lowered BMI cut-offs will expectedly lead to a better assessment of height and nutritional status (thinness, overweight) in this group. Consequently, thinness rates will be lower while overweight will be detected earlier, leading to earlier preventive interventions