Abstract: This study compares the height, weight and chest circumference of children and adolescents living in the Tibetan Plateau with those in the Andes in order to explore the patterns and characteristics of growth and development and to identify differences in growth and development between the two regions. Findings from this study may be used to help improve the health of residents, to promote good growth and development, and to provide a theoretical framework for high-altitude medicine and anthropology. A total of 2813 healthy children and adolescents (men 1606, women 1207) aged 6-19 years old were recruited with informed consent. To be eligible for this study, participants had to have lived and grown up in Tibet, and both their paternal and maternal side of the family had to be Tibetan (for at least the past three generations). Their stature, weight, chest circumference were measured. Comparison data on growth and development of children and adolescents in India, Peru, Bolivia, and Chile were abstracted from published studies. Papers with incomplete data, small sample sizes or outdated information were not included in this study. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS13.0. The results have suggested that children and adolescents from the Tibetan plateau was taller than those from the Andes. Weights of children and adolescents in the two regions were similar. In addition, chest circumference was smaller in those living in the Tibetan plateau than those in the Andes. It is concluded that growth and development of children and adolescents in highlands follow similar patterns, but also show specific characteristics such as growth delay, lower growth level and large chest dimensions. Growth and development levels of children and adolescents were better in Tibet than in the Andes, possibly a result of features resulting from such factors as hypoxia, heredity or socioecological levels.

Key words: Children; Adolescents; Development; Qinghai-Tibet; High altitude; Andes