Anthropometric Changes in Children Under 7 Years old in Nanjing, China from 1995 to 2015

Abstract

Background: To date, there have been several reports about regional trends in physical growth in children of different races around the world. However, no studies on this trend have been reported in Nanjing, China. We decided to assess regional trends in body weight, length/height and head circumference in children (0-7 years old) in Nanjing over the past two decades from 1995 to 2015 and the relationship between socioeconomic development and the trend for increased physical growth.Methods: The results for body weight, length/height and head circumference in 0- to 7-year-old children were obtained from three repeated cross-sectional surveys that were performed using the same methods in the same urban and suburban areas of Nanjing in 1995, 2005 and 2015. The differences in mean values between urban and suburban boys and girls and the increases per decade were compared. Socioeconomic indicators were collected and analysed.Results: There was positive regional growth in height, weight and head circumference of children in Nanjing from 1995 to 2015. The trend for increased height and weight of urban children in the second decade was obviously slower, especially in urban areas. Before 2.5 years old, negative increases in weight and height in urban children were observed. The growth of head circumference from 2005 to 2015 underwent a visibly negative regional change.Conclusion: The increased growth due to rapid social and economic development gradually disappeared, and genetic potential might have been seen in developed areas.