The secular trend in physical growth in Sweden

SummaryThe secular trend in physical growth of Swedish school children aged 10–17 years is shown by comparing growth data from three investigations, of 1883, 1938–39 and 1965–71. These data include height and weight as well as height and weight velocity. A proportionally larger increase in height than in weight was detected which is more pronounced for girls than for boys between the two later studies. In girls the adolescent growth spurt occurred about six months earlier in the late 60's than in the late 30's and the maximum rate of height increase was about 1 cm/yr greater. Boys also show an earlier growth spurt now than in 1938–39, although the height peak is only slightly greater. The weight peaks of boys and girls were of about the same magnitude as in 1938–39.Comparisons of other Swedish investigations, on menarche, show a declining age of onset of puberty of about 4·5 months per decade from 1950 to 1968.