Differences in development among children and adolescents in eastern and western China.
BACKGROUND
There are wide-ranging differences in human growth, not only between ethnic groups but also between regions. China covers a vast area and has a very large population. However, no studies on the differences in development among children and adolescents in eastern and western China have been reported.


OBJECTIVE
This study assessed the differences in stature and body weight in children and adolescents in eastern and western China.


METHODS
Using data derived from two national surveys on students' constitution and health carried out by the Chinese government in 1985 and 2005, the average stature and body weight for children and adolescents aged 7-18 years in eastern and western China were calculated. The differences of mean values between eastern and western China were compared.


RESULTS
Boys and girls in eastern China were taller and heavier than their counterparts in western China in all age groups (7-18 years) in 2005, the average differences being 3.56 cm, 4.56 kg (urban boys), 3.05 cm, 2.92 kg (urban girls), 4.04 cm, 4.19 kg (rural boys) and 3.48 cm, 2.96 kg (rural girls). In 18-year-old groups, the differences in the stature and body weight between eastern and western China were 2.82 cm, 5.17 kg for urban boys, 1.86 cm, 2.11 kg for urban girls, 2.26 cm, 3.38 kg for rural boys and 1.96 cm, 1.38 kg for rural girls, respectively. From 1985 to 2005, differences in stature and body weight of children and adolescents between eastern and western China have continuously expanded.


CONCLUSIONS
There have been obvious regional variations in development in children and adolescents in China, the variations in development in children and adolescents between eastern and western China being related to regional economic status and living standards of residents.
Zhang
Ying-Xiu
YX
Shandong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 16992 Jingshi Road, Jinan, Shandong, China. sdcdczyx@163.com
Wang
Shu-Rong
SR
D000293:Adolescent; D041923:Adolescent Development; D001827:Body Height / Q000208:ethnology*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000208:ethnology*; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012424:Rural Population; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population