Z-Score Anthropometric Indicators Derived from NCHS-1977, CDC-2000 and WHO-2006 in Children Under 5 Years in Central Area of Peru

Objectives. To Identify and analyze the distribution of Z-scores of anthropometric indices of children between 36-60 months of age in the province of Huancayo, Peru, which were calculated based on the NCHS-1977, CDC -2000 and WHO-2006 references. Methods. We analyzed a database of 2640 children (1268 males and 1372 females) collected between 1992-2007. The Z-scores were determined using the Anthro V.3.0 and the EpiInfo 6.04. The data were divided into four chronological periods: First, 1992 with 532 data; Second, from 1993 to 1997 with 370 data; Third. From 1998 t0o 2002 with 494 data, and Fourth from 2003 to 2007 with 1244 data.Results. The weight-for-age, height-for-age, weight-for-height and body mass index Z-scores were different for each assessment standard. The mean+SD of the weight-for-age, height-for-age, weight-forheight and BMI Z-scores with NCHS were -0.85+0.88, -1.29+1.07, -0.04+0,84 and 0.05+1.05 respectively, with CDC the values were -0.79+0.95, -1.08+1.05, -0.12+1.00 and 0.05+0.91 and with WHO the values were -0.75+0.84, -1.40 +1.02, 0.15+0.91 and 0.21+0.91, correspondingly. With the new WHO standard it was obtained lower Z-scores of height-for-age than with NCHS, being the farthest curve from the median. The new WHO standard would be the most accurate and realistic standard used to determine the Z-scores, because was determined in a multicentric study to world level, and it should be officially adopted for the nutritional assessment in children under 5 years.