SECULAR CHANGES IN GROWTH AND MATURATION - AN UPDATE

Secular changes in growth and maturation in recent decades have been r eviewed for various populations. The secular increase in attained heig ht during the growth period is continuing in most countries, but has s lowed down. The increase in adult stature over the past decades has va ried between 0.3 and 3.0 cm/decade. The secular trend in the tempo of growth (earlier menarche and peak height velocity, and shortening of t he growth cycle) has come to a halt in some populations, but is contin uing or has been reversed in others. The secular trend in attained hei ght and in the tempo of growth is usually more pronounced in children from low socioeconomic backgrounds, in those with poorly educated pare nts or in those from rural areas. It is concluded that updates of grow th standards are required in all populations. More marked secular chan ges appear to occur in the lower height centiles, which may have direc t implications on the future definition of 'short stature' in a popula tion.