Voortgaande toename van de lengtegroei bij Nederlandse kinderen in de periode 1955-1997

To compare stature, weight and pubertal development of Dutch children, derived from 4 consecutive nation-wide cross-sectional growth studies over the past 42 years, in order to assess the size and rate of the secular growth change.

Design

Comparison of four sets of cross-sectional data.

Method

Data on height, weight, head circumference, sexual maturation and demographics of 14,500 boys and girls of Dutch origin (0-20 years) were collected in 1996/’97. Growth references for height and weight were constructed using the LMS method. The relationship between height standard deviation score and demographic variables was assessed by analysis of variance.

Results

A positive secular growth change was observed over the past 42 years for children, adolescents and young adults of Dutch origin, although the rate decreased during the last 17 years. Height differences according to country region, educational level of child and parents, and family size persisted. In girls, the median age at menarche decreased by six months during the past four decades to 13.15 years in 1997.

Conclusion

The positive secular change in height has not yet come to a halt in the Netherlands, in contrast to Scandinavian countries. Main contributing factors to the increase in height may be improved nutrition, hygiene, and child healthcare and a reduction in family size.