Early childhood growth of Chachi Amerindians and Afro-Ecuadorians in Northwest Ecuador

This study compares the growth of Chachi Amerindian and Afro-Ecuadorian children living in the tropical forest of northwest Ecuador. Measurements of height and weight were taken on 148 Chachi and 148 Afro-Ecuadorian children under 5 years of age. Triceps and subscapular skinfolds, arm circumference, chest circumference, and sitting height were measured on a subsample of children. Socioeconomic information was collected from the households of 145 children, and a general socioeconomic index was derived. Afro-Ecuadorian children are substantially taller than Chachi children, with significant differences in height for age z-scores in most age groups. On the other hand, Chachi children tend to have greater weight for height z-scores, with significant differences in some age groups. The greater weight for height of Chachi children may be related to their larger trunks. Estimates of body composition suggest that Afro-Ecuadorian children may have somewhat better nutritional status than Chachi children, but this does not appear to fully account for the greater height of Afro-Ecuadorian children. The socioeconomic index is positively correlated with all anthropometric dimensions, but even after controlling for the socioeconomic index, Afro-Ecuadorian children are significantly taller than Chachi children. These findings raise the possibility of genetic differences in growth potential between the two groups. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.