Analysis on Growth and Development Long-term Trend of Students in Hunan

Objective To understand growth and development long term trend of students in Hunan, to provide basis for implementing school health. Methods Data from Henan Student Fitness and Health Survey conducted in 2000 were analyzed and compared with those in 1985. Results The average increment were 2.9 cm, 2.4 cm, 2.3 cm, and 1.5 cm for body height, 4.7 kg, 2.6 kg, 1.8kg, and 0.6 kg for body weight, respectively for urban girls and boys and rural girls and boys. The mean of chest circumference increased 1.1 cm and 2.6 cm for boys and girls in urban, but in rural areas, that for boys decreased 0.9 cm and girls aged 7 9 decreased significantly. The mean of vital capacity index in each group declined significantly (p0.01). The peak age of morphological development for adolescent in rural students in 2000 was earlier than in 1985.Conclusion The results suggest a long term, increasing trend in body height, weight development among Hunan students. However, their increments were lower than the national levels. It is necessary to strengthen students' physical exercises and improve nutrition status of rural students. Meanwhile, puberty health education should begin on grades five and six.