Abstract: In this research, the effect of altitude on growth and development of 107,986 children and adolescents from 7 to 18 years old in 14 capital cities of China was examined. Altitude, annual precipitation, average annual temperature and annual sunshine hours were regressed using z-scores and developmental scores for height, weight, chest circumference and BMI. Independent of environmental conditions, altitude negatively affected height, weight, chest circumference and BMI by approximately -0.112, -0.101, -0.043 and- 0.118 z-scores per kilometer altitud above sea level, respectively. Approximately 28.0%, 26.8%, 12.0%, 16.8% of a reduction of height, weight, chest circumference and BMI were due to altitude effects among four natural circumference factors. There was a declining gradient from low to high altitude although it was insignificant (P>0.05) for height and chest circumference but significant (P<0.05) for weight and BMI. However, the development level of children and adolescents in low altitude groups is much better than that found in high altitude groups. Altitude was an important factor in affecting growth and development of children and adolescents.

Key words: Altitude; Growth and development; Urban