[Longitudinal study of child growth in Navarre (1993-2007)]

To perform a longitudinal study of anthropometric measurements in a cohort of healthy children, and a comparative analysis with one of the most accepted Spanish studies (M. Hernández et al, L. Serra-Majem et al and A. Carrascosa et al).

Weight, height and body mass index (BMI) at birth and age 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 years were recorded. The cohort was made up of children born in 1993 and living in Navarre until 2007. The sample consisted of 930 healthy Caucasian children (482 males and 448 females) whose parents were of Spanish origin.

Mean values of height, weight and BMI with percent distribution in both sexes are shown. Differences that increased significantly with age were observed when compared to the tables of M. Hernández et al. Height and weight values (50 percentile) for males in Navarre were 5.8 cm and 9.0 kg higher, respectively, and for females 4.2 cm and 3.6 kg higher, respectively, at age 14. Differences were not significant when these data were compared to the tables of L. Serra-Majem and A. Carrascosa.

An increase in weight and height is corroborated. Despite the longitudinal design of this study, the data obtained is similar to the current anthropometric measurements of the Spanish paediatric population. This means that a definitive stabilization in growth may have been reached due to the favourable socioeconomic and health conditions.