title: Physical development and lifestyle of Hong Kong secondary school students.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Objectives of the present investigation were to study the growth and development of adolescents in Hong Kong, to analyze the interrelationship between their development and lifestyle, and to provide some helpful suggestions for lifestyle modification.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 404 secondary students ages 12-18 years served as subjects. Morphological measures, blood pressure, blood lipids, aerobic fitness, and body composition were tested. A self-report questionnaire was administered to assess physical activity and dietary habits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure increased with age, and a gender difference was noted. Body height and body weight increased with age. Total cholesterol showed a lowering trend with age, and high-density lipoprotein had a slight rise. The percentage body fat for boys decreased with age but increased for girls. The higher percentage of overweight and obesity was closely associated with physical inactivity and inappropriate food selection such as eating snacks or food rich in fat or cholesterol. Tailor-made physical activity and nutritional education programs should be designed for adolescents, especially girls during puberty.
authors.affiliation: Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China. frankfu@hkbu.edu.hk
authors.forename: Frank H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Xuanming
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Hao
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent / Q000502:physiology*; D000886:Anthropometry; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001823:Body Composition; D002648:Child; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006128:Growth; D006304:Health Status; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D010809:Physical Fitness
chemical_list: D002784:Cholesterol