How robust is the evidence of an emerging or increasing female excess in physical morbidity between childhood and adolescence? Results of a systematic literature review and meta-analyses

► Review of international evidence of gender-by-age differences in child and adolescent physical morbidity. ► Meta-regressions show an emerging/increasing female excess for several measures. ► An emerging/increasing male excess was seen for type 1 diabetes only. ► Findings suggest female excess physical morbidity emerges in mid-late childhood. ► Longitudinal studies commencing in childhood are needed to understand gender patterning of health.