Normal and abnormal height and weight development in children and adolescents in Krakow--changes and trends in the last thirty years

The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of height and weight disharmony in children and adolescents in Krakow, i.e. both overweight and underweight in relation to height and the trends in last thirty years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 4532 individuals -- a random sample of children and adolescents (2416 boys and 2107 girls) were examined in 2000. The results of the examination were compared with data obtain in 1971 (random sample of 4090 individuals) and with results from 1983 (random sample of 6536 individuals). Percentile position of height and weight were compared: the difference of two or more percentiles channels classified the results as overweight or underweight depending on height. THE RESULTS: Of the research prove that the frequency of occurrence of dis-harmonious body built increases with age, both with regard to overweight and underweight related to height and this phenomenon is more frequent in girls. In last thirty years a progressive increase of frequency of overweight was observed, but in girls it was noticeable and statistically significant only in 1971 -- 1983.