Secular growth trends among children in Beijing (1955-2010)

•From 1955 to 2010 the rates of physical growth among children in Beijing increased.•Except during the period 2005-2010, the average weight and BMI of these children trended upward.•The average height and weight increases of these children varied with sex and age.•The positive growth trends of these children were closely correlated with China's socioeconomic development.

ObjectivesTo analyze the growth trends of children in Beijing from 1955 to 2010.MethodsData for the period 1955-1975 were derived from published records. Data for the period 1985-2010 were derived from the Chinese National Survey on Students' Constitution and Health (CNSSCH). Since 1985, the overall sampling and measurement methods have been consistent. The mean, the standard deviation, and the variance (ANOVA) of height, weight, and BMI by age and sex of students aged 7-17 were calculated and analyzed.ResultsBetween 1955 and 2010, the average height and weight of children in Beijing has increased. The average increments per decade for boys and girls were 2.45 cm and 2.03 cm in height and 2.68 kg and 1.68 kg in weight, respectively. The largest height increase per decade occurred between 1975 and 1985: 4.51 cm and 3.23 cm for boys and girls, respectively. The largest height increase for the entire 55-year period under study occurred among boys at age 13 (17.85 cm) and among girls at age 11 (15.90 cm.)ConclusionsDuring the period 1955-2010, growth trends among children in Beijing were positive. The health and nutritional status of these children improved significantly. Since 2007, might be related to government intervention, childhood obesity has been curbed.

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