THE STATUS OF PHYSICAL GROWTH IN CHINESE CHILDREN

This paper reports the physical growth status of about a half million Chinese children covering 28 nationalities in 1985. There are 4 items (height, weight, sitting-height, and chest circumference) that have be en analyzed. Results are as follows: Han children display comparativel y high physical growth levels. A growth difference emerges between Han Children who live in. different social and geographical environments. The growth of urban children is better than that of rural children; t he growth of children living in north China is better than that of chi ldren in south China. Differences between administrative regions are r ather large. Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Shandong, Liaoning and Heilon gjiang display high-level growth; Guizhou, Qinghai, Sichuan, Yunnan, F ujian provinces and Guangxi autonomous region display lour-level growt h. The growth differences between minority nationalities are noticeabl e. Uighur, Kazak, Khalkhas, Hui, Mongol, and Korean, nationalities dem onstrate relatively high growth Level; Lahu, Wa, Yao, Tong, Miao, Puyi and She nationalities appear to maintain a lour growth level. The pro bable reasons for the differences are discussed.