[Classification of the peripubertal stage of ontogeny in girls: a multivariate statistical solution]

Using the cluster analysis of objects in the space of physique factors the objective classification of peripubertal stage of ontogenesis in girls has been constructed. The factors were obtained by factor analysis of 26 anthropometric traits from a joint sample of girls aged 7 to 17 years. Four age groups (7-9, 10-11, 12-13, 14-17 years) distinguished by the factors and by the informative criteria of physique in total have been picked out. The diagnostic ability of the linear discriminant functions constructed by the stepwise discriminant analysis averages 80.0%. This level is in the limits determined in resolving problems of classification by using the anthropometric traits.