Rises in schoolchildren's anthropometry: what do they signify in developedand developing populations?

Recent reports indicate continuing rises in the height and weight of school children in both developed and developing populations. Also indicated are i ncreases in the body mass index of children, and of adults, despite all pub lic health warnings to the contrary, as well as personal desires of huge pr oportions of children, and of adults, to be slim. A little researched quest ion concerns which level of schoolchildren's growth is consistent in later life with least occurrence of degenerative diseases. In developing populati ons, lack of knowledge prevails regarding the current and future health of the large proportions, and huge numbers, of schoolchildren who, judging fro m Western anthropometric standards, are categorized as suffering from mild to moderate malnutrition. It is questioned whether greater growth is essent ially better. As to the future, in Western and in urban developing populati ons, attempts to control greater attainment of weight for height in schoolc hildren, as well as adults, are unlikely to be rewarding, due to unpopulari ty of a 'prudent' diet on the one hand, and the still diminishing physical activity on the other. Notwithstanding, educational and other efforts to im prove the composition of diets and encourage greater physical activity must be energetically pursued.