Growth of Wrocław children aged 0-2 years born in 1964-65 and in 1973-75: longitudinal data.
One hundred boys and 100 girls born in Wrocław, Poland in 1964-65 and the same number of children born in 1973-75 were measured every month during the first year of life and every three months during the second. The characters investigated were body length and weight, head circumference and Rohrer's index. Generally, it seems that during the decade considered body dimensions in girls have shown slight secular increases while in boys these dimensions have remained stable or have decreased. Consequently, sex differences have decreased. Values of Rohrer's index indicate that children born in the 1970s are slimmer than those born in the 1960s. This particularly concerns girls. It seems that the explanation of these changes should be sought in the lack of improvement of the socio-living conditions and the increase of harmful environmental influences, to which boys may react quicker. With girls, the secular changes may persist for some time, since their reaction to environmental stimuli is slower.
D000886:Anthropometry; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D006128:Growth; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011044:Poland; D012737:Sex Factors