Comparative Studies of the Physical Growth in Formosans I. Height and Weight

The physiological growth of the Formosans has been considered comparing with that of the Japanese and the Poles by a new graphic representation based on height and weight. The Fuchen-Formosans from 1 to 22 years consisted of 1231 males and 958 females have been measured by the authors in Tainan City during 1963-1964.As for the developmental curve (fig. 1), the shape of curve is almost identical among these three racial groups, the Formosans however being inclining to a little more slender type of physique. The curve of the Formosans departs from the others after about 5 years and parallels them with a constant distance after about 9 or 10 years.The Formosans precedes the Japanese in growth in early period, but there is no difference in the physique and growth between both racial groups after the time of the maximum velocity. However, the Poles is considerable different from the both Asian groups as for the apparent first growth spurt appeared in 5-6 years and the magnitude of the maximum velocity.In the physique of adults, the Formosans is a little more slender than the Japanese and the Poles, and the Poles are apparently taller and heavier than the both Asian groups. These differences are probably due to that of the growth at and after the period of the first and the maximum spurt among these three racial groups.