Height and weight changes among White Mountain Apache children.

Studies in the early 1970s showed that White Mountain Apache youth were at nutritional risk, shorter in stature than other ethnic groups, and with levels of underweight generally greater, and overweight less than in the general public. Yearly surveillance of height and weight measurements began in 1990. This article presents 1992 height and weight status data for White Mountain Apache youth and compares these with national standards and 1976 data. Measurements for Head Start preschoolers were taken by Indian Health Service (IHS) physicians and public health nurses, and measurements for elementary and high school students were taken by the school nurse with assistance from Community Health Representatives or physical education instructors. Height and relative weight have increased in the last sixteen years. While heights have approached national means, relative weights now exceed national means so that obesity is a growing concern.