Anthropometric studies in Norwegian children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Human Growth and Development
• Biostatistics

Background:

• Establishing normative growth data is crucial for monitoring child health.
• Previous growth studies in Bergen provide a historical baseline for comparison.
• Understanding secular trends and international comparisons informs public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To construct updated distance centile charts for key anthropometric variables in Norwegian children and adolescents.
• To analyze annual height and weight increments and identify age at peak height velocity.
• To compare growth parameters of Bergen children with historical data and international cohorts.

Main Methods:

• A mixed longitudinal study involving 3,068 children and adolescents from Bergen (1971-1974).
• Collection of anthropometric measurements including height, weight, skinfolds, diameters, circumferences, and lengths.
• Construction of distance centile charts and analysis of annual increments.

Main Results:

• Bergen children in 1971-74 were taller than in 1956 and approached Oslo 1970 values, but were shorter than Dutch children.
• Median age at peak height velocity was 13.6 years for boys and 12.2 years for girls.
• Weight-for-height centiles showed a tendency towards overweight, similar to other Western countries, with proposed clinical curves.

Conclusions:

• The study provides representative growth data for Norwegian children during a period of high living standards.
• Updated centile charts and weight-for-height curves are recommended for clinical practice.
• Comparisons highlight regional variations in growth patterns and potential influences of socioeconomic factors.