Use of WHO Growth Standards Rather Than Locally Specific Linear Growth Curves Promotes Equity in Pediatric Growth Research for Children Younger Than 5 Years.

Abstract

There is strong evidence that healthy children around the world grow according to the World Health Organization Child Growth Standards when they benefit from healthy environments, regardless of race, ethnicity, or nationality. Despite this, arguments still exist in the scientific literature that child growth curves specific to local populations are necessary. We use a narrative review of the literature on child growth to focus on articles in which different, locally specific child growth curves have been developed or recommended. We synthesize the arguments against a universal child growth standard to provide an understanding of these problematic claims, in the context of new efforts to address remaining echoes of scientific racism in the field of nutrition and other biomedical sciences. Child nutrition assessment should take place using high-quality tools and metrics that do not depend on race, ethnicity, or nationality.