TRENDS IN GROWTH IN ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND, 1972 TO 1994

Aim-To monitor the growth of 5 to 11 year old English and Scottish chi ldren from 1972 to 1994. No similar data are available from any other study. Design-Mixed longitudinal. Subjects-In England 7000 children we re sampled in the first year, falling to 5000. In Scotland the origina l sample was 2000 but this was enlarged later to 3500. Main outcome me asurements-Height, weight, weight for height index, and triceps skinfo ld thickness. Results-Height of English children in most age groups in creased by more than 1 cm and by more than 2 cm in Scotland during the period 1972 to 1994. Triceps skinfold measurement increased by almost 8% in 7 year old English boys and by 7% in 7 year old girls. In Scotl and triceps skinfold measurement increased by nearly 10% in 7 year old boys and by 11% in 7 year old girls. Weight for height index followed a similar pattern. Conclusion-Children in England and Scotland are be coming taller for a given age. The increases in fatness indicate an ur gent need for realistic interventions for reductions in obesity in the whole population. As weight for height index is less sensitive than s kinfold thickness we recommend triceps and subscapular skinfold thickn ess measurements for monitoring obesity in children.