Abstract: The purpose of this research is to explore the features and physical growth patterns in the development of Miao children and adolescents from the Wuling mountain area. In this study, using anthropometric methods, 17 physical traits and 11 physical indices were assessed. Results were as follows. 1) Growth characteristics and curves for both boys and girls gradually increased with age. 2) The faster period of height growth occurred at 12-14 years in boys and 11- 13 years in girls. 3) Average heights of Miao children and adolescents were shorter than those of other nationalities of the same age. 4) Age changing rules of physical development indices of this group were similar to those of other nationalities, but there were differences in physical body degree development from each other. 5) The average Vervaeck’s index of Miao students was higher than that of Zhuang nationality students of the same age. This research concludes that physical development of Miao children and adolescents conforms with general growth patterns, albeit with significant differences between males and females; and in comparison with other nationalities, a relative retardation of Miao children and adolescents.

Key words: Wuling; Miao; Children; Adolescents; Physical development