[Intergenerational evolution of stature in Pernambuco State, Brazil (1945-2006): 1 - descriptive aspects]

Linear regression models with random intercepts were used to describe the evolution in stature among residents in Pernambuco State, Brazil, in 2006, born from 1945 onward. From 1947 to 1987, yearly height gain was 0.23 cm in adult men and 0.15 cm in women. In relation to World Health Organization standard values (2006), children and adolescents showed a declining annual height deficit of -0.019 z-scores (H/A) for girls and -0.013 for boys (1987-2006). Men and women who completed 19 years of age in 1987 showed a height deficit of 5.0 cm. Projecting the trends observed in 2006, adult men and women in Pernambuco would wait 22 and 33 years, respectively, to reach the international standard. Within 6 to 7 years, children under five would show a height deficit of 2.3%, which is the occurrence verified in the WHO standard, thus correcting the historical growth retardation in this population group in Pernambuco.