The Analytic Review of Standard Growth Value in School-Age Children in Seoul

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: It hasn't been developed a new standard growth value for children in Korea since 1985. This study was designed to compare the difference of standard growth value of height, weight and chest circumference for school-age children in Seoul between 1985 and 1994. METHODS: Height, weight and chest circumference were measured in 6,308 students, aged 6-17 years, of 12 elementary schools, 12 junior and 12 senior high schools located in Seoul on 5th to 15th May 1994. And there data were compared with the standard growth value for school-age children of Seoul in 1985. RESULTS: The results were as follows, 1) The height in 50 percentiles in 1994 was compared to 50 to 75 percentiles in 1985 and the height in 3percentiles in 1994 was compared to 10 to 25 percentiles in 1985. 2) The weight in 50 percentiles in 1994 was compared to 50 to 75 percentiles in 1985. 3) The height was increased equally in every percentiles, but weight and chest circumference were increased more markedly in high growth percentiles. CONCLUSIONS: It is mandatory to have a new standard growth value for children in Korea through the nation wide investigation because of difference of growth value between 1994 and 1985 in Seoul.