Fredriks A M, van Buuren S, Burgmeijer R J, Meulmeester J F, Beuker R J, Brugman E, Roede M J, Verloove-Vanhorick S P, Wit J M
Department of Paediatrics, Leiden University Medical Centre, The Netherlands.
Pediatr Res. 2000 Mar;47(3):316-23. doi: 10.1203/00006450-200003000-00006.
Since 1858, an increase of mean stature has been observed in the Netherlands, reflecting the improving nutritional, hygienic, and health status of the population. In this study, stature, weight, and pubertal development of Dutch youth, derived from four consecutive nationwide cross-sectional growth studies during the past 42 y, are compared to assess the size and rate of the secular growth change. Data on length, height, weight, head circumference, sexual maturation, and demographics of 14,500 boys and girls of Dutch origin in the age range 0-20 y were collected in 1996 and 1997. Growth references for height and weight were constructed with a method that summarizes the distribution by three smooth curves representing skewness (L curve), the median (M curve), and coefficient of variation (S curve). The relationship between height and demographic variables was assessed by multivariate analysis. Reference curves for menarche and secondary sex characteristics were estimated by a generalized additive model using a logit transformation. A positive secular growth change has been present in the past 42 y for children, adolescents, and young adults of Dutch origin, although at a slower rate in the last 17 y. Height differences according to region, educational level of child and parents, and family size have remained. In girls, median age at menarche has decreased by 6 mo during the past four decades to 13.15 y. Environmental conditions have been favorable for many decades in the Netherlands, and the positive secular change in height has not yet come to a halt, in contrast to Scandinavian countries. Main contributors to the increase in height may be improved nutrition, child health, and hygiene, and a reduction of family size.
自1858年以来，荷兰观察到平均身高有所增加，这反映了人口营养、卫生和健康状况的改善。在本研究中，对过去42年中连续四项全国性横断面生长研究得出的荷兰青少年的身高、体重和青春期发育情况进行了比较，以评估长期生长变化的幅度和速率。1996年和1997年收集了14500名年龄在0至20岁的荷兰裔男孩和女孩的身长、身高、体重、头围、性成熟情况及人口统计学数据。身高和体重的生长参考值采用一种方法构建，该方法通过代表偏度（L曲线）、中位数（M曲线）和变异系数（S曲线）的三条平滑曲线来总结分布情况。通过多变量分析评估身高与人口统计学变量之间的关系。初潮和第二性征的参考曲线采用广义相加模型并使用logit变换进行估计。过去42年中，荷兰裔儿童、青少年和年轻人存在正向的长期生长变化，尽管在过去17年中速率有所放缓。根据地区、儿童及其父母的教育水平以及家庭规模的身高差异依然存在。在女孩中，过去四十年来初潮的中位年龄已降至13.15岁，减少了6个月。几十年来荷兰的环境条件一直有利，与斯堪的纳维亚国家不同，身高的正向长期变化尚未停止。身高增加的主要因素可能是营养改善、儿童健康和卫生状况改善以及家庭规模减小。
