Acta Anthropologica Sinica ›› 1989, Vol. 8 ›› Issue (04): 355-366.

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Secular trend of growth in Chinese Han nationality children

Lin Wansheng; Xiao Jianwen; Ye Gongshao   

  • Online:1989-12-15 Published:1989-12-15

Abstract: This paper reported growth secular trend in Chinese Han nationality children in twelve cities, including Beijing, Tianjin, Jinan, Harbin, Shenyang, Changchun, Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Chengdu. The majority of children's age were from 7 to 18. From 1950' till now, growth secular trend in Han nationality children was obvious. During the last 30 years, the average body height increase was 2.66 (boys) and 2.4 (girls) cm and body weight increase was 1.64 (boys) and 1.14 (girls) kg in each decade. The differences of increase level were shown in each of the three decades and the largest increase value was in the last decade. The increase value at period of growth spurt was higher than other ages. Age at peak height velocity was 1 to 2 years earlier than before in most of the cities, from 1930' up to present, the growth secular trend also was obvious in Beijing, Nanjing, Shanghai, Guangchou and Hangzhou. During the last half century, height increased 1.12 -2.66cm in boys and 1.42-2.67 cm in girls and weight increased 0.56-1.27 kg in boys and 0.65-1.18kg in girls in each decade.

Key words: Child growth and development; Growth secular trend