SVIBOR - Project code: 3-01-025

MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

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SVIBOR - Collecting Data on Projects in Croatia

Project code: 3-01-025

SECULAR CHANGES IN GROWTH OF SCHOOL CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Main researcher: PREBEG, ŽIVKA (38594)

Assistants

JUREŠA, VESNA (95000)

Type of research: applied
Duration from: 01/01/91. to 12/31/94.

Papers on project (total): 19
Papers on project quoted in Current Contents: 3

Institution name: Medicinski fakultet, Zagreb (108)
Department/Institute: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CARE "ANDRIJA STAMPAR" SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Address: ROCKEFELLEROVA 4
City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia

Communication: Phone: +385-(0)1/276-822; Fax: +385-(0)1-275-415

Summary: The objectives of this study are to find out whether the secular changes in growth and development of school children and adolescents in different parts of Croatia are observed ie, whether there are changes in the mean height and weight of boys and girls aged 7 to 18 years and in the menarcheal age of girls in relation to their peers observed in the period 1981 to 1984. If changes exist, in which regions, and which socioeconomic groups are mostly pronounced. The survey covers a total of 25,000 boys and girls in different parts of the country. In the period of 1991 to 1993 data collection was completed in the regions of Zagreb, Rijeka, Island of Hvar, Split, and some parts of Slavonija (Požega). Data are still in the course of processing. However, preliminary results show the slight increase in height in some age groups of Zagreb girls and boys compared to analogous generation observed about a decade earlier - in 1982. The increase in weight is somewhat higher, specially in boys. Menarche appears in the average a little later than in the 1982 generation (12,69 years in 1982, and 12,80 years in 1991). That suggests a relative independance of secular changes in growth and maturation. Collection of data has been continued in Međimurje, Hrvatsko Zagorje and Moslavina. The research work in Osijek region is in preparatory phase. An extra question will be considered there - whether the stressful war events to which majority of children were exposed had influenced the patterns of their growth and development.

Keywords: Height, weight, secular growth changes, secular trend, puberty, menarche

Research goals: Secular changes in growth and development of children over the last decades vary in different populations. In some, a pronounced trend towards greater height and weight of children and adolescents together with an earlier onset of menarche has been observed. In others the mean height of boys and girls is increasing compared with previous generations but the onset of first menstruation remains the same. In other still, there are no changes either by way of increase in size or lowering of menarcheal age. The scope of this study is to find out whether the secular changes in growth and development of school children and adolescents in Croatia in the last decade are observed. If changes exist - are the general trends in growth and maturation similar or do the changes differ in trend and intensity in different geographic regions and different socioeconomic groups. It is expected that results of this study could contribute to the better understanding of complex and still unclear mutual influence of genetic and environmental factors to the model and variability of growth and development. From the public health point of view secular trend in growth is a very reliable index of children's health. Besides, data about variations in maturational age in certain populations are important for planning of appropriate health care for children and adolescents.

Other information about the project.


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Last update: 10/09/95
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