SECULAR CHANGES IN THE STATURE, WEIGHT, AND AGE AT MAXIMUM GROWTH INCREMENTS OF URBAN CHINESE GIRLS FROM THE 1950S TO 1985

This study focuses on changes in the stature, weight, and age at maxim um increments in Chinese urban girls 7-17 years of age between the 195 0s and 1985. The data come from anthropometric surveys in the 1950s, 1 960s, 1970s, and 1985 in 17 Chinese cities. An overall increasing tren d is apparent for stature and weight. The average increments are 1.91 cm and 0.57 kg per decade for 7 year olds, 3.43 cm per decade for 11 y ear olds, 2.11 kg per decade for 13 year olds, and 1.27 cm and 0.73 kg per decade for 17 year olds. Girls in 1985 attained peak growth earli er, by 1.08 years or 0.40 year/decade, than girls in the generation 30 years earlier. Specific comparisons of changes in body size and age a t maximum increments during 1950-1960, 1960-1910, and 1970-1985 are al so reported, and the results are compared with those of other countrie s or groups. (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.