Abstract: Objective To compare the level of growth and development of children and adolescents of Jiangxi Province and Shanghai Municipality, and to figure out the influencing factors. Methods Using the Chinese national survey on students' physical fitness and health in 2000 to analyze and test the difference on students' stature (cm), body weight (kg ), Body Mass Index (kg/ m2 ) and vital capacity body weight (ml/ kg) between Jiangxi and Shanghai. Results The physical growth level of students in Shanghai is significantly higher than that of Jiangxi students. The maximum differences on stature are 7. 6cm and 10. 7cm for urban and rural boys respectively, and 5. 7cm and 8.0cm for urban and rural girls respectively. Analysis on BMI showed that the body of students in Shanghai was much stronger than that of Jiangxi students (except for the females aged above 18) ; while the level of vital capacity/ body weight among students in Shanghai is much lower than that of Jiangxi students. Conclusion Growth spurt appeared earlier in students in Shanghai with greater extent and longer duration than those in Jiangxi, while the former should enhance physical practice to improve their vital capacity.

Key words: Children and adolescents; Growth and development; Constitution; Function index; Jiangxi