RESUMO
Objective@#To analyze changes in physique change among children and adolescents in Japan from 1900 to 2015, and to provide the scientific basis for national constitution development strategy in China.@*Methods@#Data on height and weight of Japanese children and adolescents aged 6-17 years provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Cluster analysis was performed to analyze the data.@*Results@#The 5 time periods of highest physique growth rate of Japanese boy and girls were 1948-1950, 1950-1955, 1955-1960, 1960-1965, 1965-1970, and the 5 time periods of lowest growth rate were 1939-1948, 2005-2010, 2000-2005, 1900-1905, 2010-2015, 1995-2000. Physique growth of Japanese children and adolescents showed a relatively constant increasing trend before World War II and the late 20th century, and a rapid increasing trend during 20 years after World War II and a decreasing trend during and short period after World War II. In the cluster analysis, the lower half of male students fell into a single time period (1939-1948) showing the highest rate of decline.@*Conclusion@#Physical changes of Japanese children and adolescents are closely related to the socio-economic environment, and rapid increasing trend is observed during 20 years after World War II. Based on experiences from Japan, rapid socio-economic growth in China provides an important opportunity to promote physical development of children and adolescents. Cautions should be paid to the risk of overweight and obesity accompanied by economic growth.