This study examined the secular changes in height, body weight, body mass index and pubertal development in male children and adolescents in Krakow (Poland) over the past 80 years, with an emphasis on the last decade (2000-2010). The survey of the population of Krakow is a continuation of observations conducted in that area for many years. The analysis aims to determine whether in the last decade Krakow still witnessed the secular trend, and what form the trend took. The body height and weight, and body mass index (BMI), of 1862 boys aged 3.5-18.5 years were analysed, against the background of a survey series from the years 1938 (N = 1801), 1971 (N = 2045), 1983 (N = 3124) and 2000 (N = 2328). The mean body height, in almost all age categories, was greater than in the past; however the final height over the last decade remained the same. The mean values of body weight and BMI increased, especially in the last decade. Also, an acceleration of puberty in boys was observed. The last 10 years saw an over 3-month decrease in the age of initial appearance of pubic hair in boys. In conclusion, the last decade saw cessation of the growing taller trend: maximum body height stabilized at approximately 179 cm, but weight and BMI increased. Also, a distinct acceleration of puberty was noticed. Lack of height increase, at the same time as weight gain and puberty acceleration, indicate a progressing developmental disharmony.

The prevalence of overweight and obesity has not changed significantly over the last 30 years. However, significant changes have occurred in body composition. Girls measured in 2010 had lower total adipose tissue, although they also showed a tendency towards increased central adiposity.

The aim of this study was to examine the changes in body composition (fatness and muscle and bone mass) and BMI in three cohorts of boys living in Krakow, Poland, over the last 30 years, and to assess how overweight and obesity frequencies have developed over the period. The anthropological survey was conducted in 2010, and comprised 1863 boys from Krakow aged 3-18 years. The analysis compared the latest measurements of selected skinfold thicknesses, BMI, total body muscle mass and bone mass with the results of surveys from 1983 (N=1934) and 2000 (N=2323). The frequency of overweight and obesity was assessed for the last survey series, and their trends determined for the years 1983-2000 and 2000-2010. The analysis of fat tissue distribution showed that the boys from the 2010 cohort, as compared with those examined in 2000, had a higher trunk adiposity, as manifested by greater thickness of subscapular and suprailiac skinfold thicknesses, and boasted a larger muscle mass and lower bone mass. The survey results also showed that, from 1983 to 2000, the percentage of overweight boys increased slightly (from 11.69% to 12.48%), whereas the frequency of obesity did not change. Over the last decade, the percentage of overweight people has increased to 15.94%, and the frequency of obesity has doubled, equalling 4.94% in 2010. The last decade has seen a minor trend in boys towards increased trunk adiposity, muscle mass, BMI and prevalence of overweight and obesity, and a slight decrease in bone mass.

Objectives: This survey aimed at analyzing secular changes in the development of girls from Krakow, in the first decade of the 21st century, against the background of transformations observed in the previous century. Methods: The data collected during a survey conducted in Krakow in 2010, in which the measurements of a total of 1,974 girls aged 3.5–18.5 years were taken, made a basis for this study. The results from the contemporary series were compared with previous surveys conducted in 1938, 1971, 1983, and 2000. The analysis of the survey made use of the results of body height and weight measurements, BMI, and the menarche, thelarche, and pubarche onsets determining the level of pubertal development. The development of secondary sex characters was assessed utilizing the criteria 5‐stage scale established by Tanner. The mean age of the menarche onset and ages at beginning breast (B2) and pubic hair (PH2) development were calculated by means of the probit method. Results: In the physical development of girls a positive trend in body height changes in prepubescence and adolescence was still observed. The acceleration of body weight development in peripubescence is expressed by increased BMI. It is spectacular that body build gets slimmer at the age of 17 and 18, which is probably connected with conscious control of body weight, and pubertal acceleration is also maintained. Conclusions: Still observed trends in morphological factors and pubertal acceleration require further monitoring out of concern for the health and proper development of children and adolescents. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The aim of the study was to measure the causal effect of selected socio-economic factors and anthropometrical characteristics on the menarche occurrence. Methods:The sample consisted of 2195 Bengali girls (aged 7-21) from middleclass families, from Kolkata city, India. The age at menarche was recorded from the retrospective data and status quo method. The causal effect of anthropometric and socio-economic variables on menarche occurrence was estimated by the nonparametrical analysis of survival probability (survival random forest).Results: In the examined cohort menarche occurred, on average, at 11.8 years of age. The probability of menarche occurrence amplified with the increasing values of factors such as body mass index, height-for-age z-scores, number of family members, household rooms, and toilets, but decreased when expenditures increased. The relation maintained a similar pattern of causal effect with girls' age.Conclusions: A complex pattern of relationship among sexual development, physique, and socio-economic characteristics was defined. The tendency toward early menarche, along with the observed causal relationships indicate that the analyzed sample is nearing the characteristics and standards of living noted in other middle and even high-income countries in the world.