[Height, weight and body mass index measured among men born 1967-80].
BACKGROUND
Statistics Norway has published data on the average height of conscripts since 1910. Average height of men was 171.4 cm in 1920 and increased by 7.3 cm to 178.7 cm in 1970. Over the last 30 years, average height has increased only 1 cm, to 179.7 cm in 2000. The concern now is the fact that the average body weight of conscripts has been increasing. To monitor this development, statistics, based on BMI would be warranted.


METHODS
The basis for such a statistics is explored in a study including all men born 1967-1980 known to the Norwegian central population registry as of December 1997; a total of 475,076 men. Data from the medical examinations for military service were obtained from the National Service Administration for 413,051 (86.9%). Of these men 400,297 (96.9%) were born in Norway, 12,754 abroad.


RESULTS
The proportion of men born in Norway who were not examined averaged 6.4%. This percentage was much the same for each cohort. The reasons for being exempted from examination were the same, this indicates that there was no difference in selection bias between cohorts. No data were available for the assessment of the reliability and validity of the measurements. Nevertheless, trends in average height, weight and BMI give a clear picture of changes that have occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
Provided that validity of the measurements can be secured, it is concluded that examinations for military service can offer useful data for a health index on the growth and development of young men.
Bjerkedal
T
T
Beckstrøm
J R
JR
Brevik
J I
JI
Skåden
K
K
D000328:Adult; D001827:Body Height; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D009664:Norway; D010808:Physical Examination