Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.Following changes in the provision of welfare, school milk and school meals in 1971, studies were set up to assess the possible effects of these changes upon the nutritional state of the population. The aim of the National Study of Health and Growth (NSHG) was to set up an anthropometric system of surveillance on selected growth, nutritional and health characteristics that could identify the effects of the changes in food policy. Height was chosen as the main indicator of nutritional status together with weight and triceps skinfold thickness. The primary aim of the study was to estimate trends in anthropometric measurements for children of the same age. Although changes in rate of growth at a given age may occur over time, the main question to be answered was whether there had been any overall shift in the position of the growth curve.
The aim of the second phase of the study was to continue the collection of basic information for monitoring the nutritional status of primary school children in all previous areas, with the additional collection of selected information for associated studies from a suitable subset of other areas. Further details are given in Appendix 3 of the User Guide for this study (3986).
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For all five years of this study (1977-1981), measurements of age, gender, height, weight, triceps skinfold thickness, ethnic origin for all children, and for girls maturation status, were recorded. Information is also included for most children on birthweight, length of gestation, past history of respiratory illnesses, number of siblings, current consumption of school milk and meals and other milk (as supplied by the mother or guardian). Details on household composition, social class, education and employment of parents/guardians, height of natural parents and receipt of benefits are recorded where available. The 1977 data includes additional details on domestic accommodation, heating and cooking arrangements and smoking habits of residents. The 1981 data includes parental attitudes to school meals. Medical data on infectious disease in 1979 are not included. Personal identification details have been removed from each record (name and address). Children born before 1973 are likely to have related data collected in phase I of the study. Survey numbers should tally across years. Standard Measures Height was measured on a specially designed Holtain stadiometer to the last complete 0.5cm as recorded by Tanner et al (1966 - see reference below). Triceps skinfold measurements were taken as recommended by Tanner and Whitehouse (1962a - see reference below) except that the midpoint between the tip of the acromion and olecranon was marked with the arm hanging straight instead of bent. For details see 'Fieldworkers Manual' in Appendix 3 of the User Guide. Respiratory questions were adapted from the MRC questionnaire on chronic bronchitis. Maturational status was recorded according to Tanner (1962)b. Occupation was coded according to the Registrar General's 'Classification of Occupations', 1970 and 1980. Social class was also derived from these sources. References Tanner, J.M. and Whitehouse, R.H. (1962)a 'Standards for subcutaneous fat in British children : percentiles for thickness of skinfolds over triceps and below scapula' <i>British Medical Journal</i>, 1, pp.446-450. Tanner, J.M. (1962)b <i>Growth at adolescence</i>, 2nd edn, Oxford: Blackwell Scientific Publications. Tanner, J.M., Whitehouse, R.H. and Takaishi, M. (1966) 'Standards from birth to maturity for height, weight, height velocity, and weight velocity: British children 1965' <i>Archives of Disease in Childhood</i>, 41(219), pp.454-471. Registrar General, (1970) <i>Classification of occupations</i>, London: HMSO. Registrar General, (1980) <i>Classification of occupations</i>, London: HMSO.
Employment Exchange areas were selected by stratified random sampling. Within each area schools were selected by Education Authority as considered to best represent stratum characteristics. Within schools all eligible children were selected (except in two areas in Scotland where only even birthdates were included). All entrants from phase I (1972-1976) and phase II (1977-1981) were eligible for subsequent follow-up each year if they continued to attend any of the schools in the study areas, up to the age of 11 years.
Face-to-face interview
Postal survey
Observation
Clinical measurements
Physical measurements
A postal questionnaire was distributed to parents except for those who experienced difficulty completing the questionnaire and had a face-to-face interview instead. Data on gender and date of birth, routinely kept, were provided by the individual schools concerned.
