L’anthropométrie des enfants de la vallée du fleuve Sénégal : Situation en 1957 comparée aux évolutions ultérieures

Children's anthropometry, age 0-12 years, was studied during the multiple objectives survey conducted in the Middle Senegal River Valley (MISOES) in 1957-1958. This survey was based on two representative samples, in urban areas (769 children) and in rural areas (1240 children). Several measurements were taken: weight, height, arm circumference, triceps skinfold, subscapular skinfold, sub-iliac crest height, bi-acromial breadth, bi-iliac breadth. They were compared with American standards. Data show an overwhelming anthropometric deficit compared with standards, and complex interactions with age, gender, and place of residence. Expressed as the percentage of reference values, the relative measures were: 80.6% for weight, 95.5% for height, 91.7% for body mass index (BMI), 78.6% for body surface; it was more marked for triceps skinfold (67.6%) and for subscapular skinfold (66.3%), but less for arm circumference (84.9%) and for muscle circumference (87.7%); it was also marked for bi- acromial breadth (90.5%) and for bi-iliac breadth (91.9%), although keeping approximately constant the acromial-iliac ratio. Overall, deficits were more marked among children 1-2 years old, as well as among the 9-12 years old. Differences by gender were not pronounced, but boys were somewhat disadvantaged before age 3 years, while girls were in greater deficit at age 9-12 years. Differences by place of residence were small and complex: deficits were larger in rural areas for skinfolds, but larger in urban areas for arm- and muscle- circumference. The MISOES data were put into perspective by comparing them with data from Niakhar (1983-1984) and those from DHS surveys (1993-2017) among under-five children. The relationships with economic development in the valley are discussed.