Secular changes in anthropometric indices of children and adolescents: Studies from Korea

Abstract

This chapter assesses the secular growth changes in anthropometric measures with reference to Korean children and adolescents during the last four decades. The review describes the data from 68,790 boys and 62,557 girls that were recruited across the nation in 2005. Anthropometric measures included weight, height, and etc. This review compared the results of previous nationwide growth studies with the present study. It is indicated in this chapter that the growth and developmental status of Korean children and adolescents has been changed substantially compared with those in 1965, 1975, 1984 and 1997. The data presented in this chapter show a distinct secular increase in growth in body height and weight of Korean children and adolescents spanning this period. A nationwide survey every 5 years would be beneficial to establish a reference standard for the growth of children and adolescents according to the socioeconomic, environmental and nutritional changes.