PHA-Exchange> Children's growth is influenced more by environmental factors than genetics up to the age of five, the World Health Organization said on Thursday.

[Claudio]

From: "Vern Weitzel" <vern.weitzel at undp.org>
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060427/ts_nm/children_growth_dc;_ylt=Ag0.djv_qBL_AU37FnhA6EWs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3ODdxdHBhBHNlYwM5NjQ-
> GENEVA (Reuters) - Children's growth is influenced more by environmental 
> factors than genetics up to the age of five, the World Health Organization 
> said on Thursday.
>
> The
> United Nations agency found that, despite differences among individual 
> children, the average potential size of youngsters worldwide lies in a 
> narrow range.
>
> "Children from India, Norway and Brazil all show similar growth patterns 
> when provided healthy growth conditions in early life," the WHO said in 
> issuing its new child growth standards.
>
> "Differences in children's growth to age five are more influenced by 
> nutrition, feeding practices, environment, and healthcare than genetics or 
> ethnicity," it said.
>
> To compile the global study, researchers tracked more than 8,000 children 
> in Brazil, Ghana, India, Norway, Oman, and the United States from birth to 
> age five.
>
> Children selected were deemed to live in "an optimal environment for 
> proper growth," where infants are breastfed and young children have access 
> to good nutrition and quality health care, and mothers do not smoke.
>
> The new WHO growth charts include universal guidance for parents and 
> health workers on healthy ranges of weight-for-age, height-for-age, and 
> weight-for-height.
>
> It also includes six key motor development milestones for activities like 
> sitting, standing and walking.
>