[Range of variation of sex maturation markers]

Nation-wide investigations on the sexual maturation (secondary sex characteristics) have been carried out for the first time in the GDR in 1984 and 1985. They were part of a research project of the Ministry of Health concerning health during childhood and adolescence. The study was organised and coordinated by our Institute of Anthropology in Berlin. More than 17,000 children and young persons of ages between 8 and 16 years have been recorded. The data have been analysed. The analysis was performed after the colour tables of van Wieringen and coworkers as well as using additional adapted tables. Most important results concerning the indicators of sexual maturation are being presented here.