[Various trends in the somatic development of city children and adolescents during the past 20 years (the study based on the examination of schoolchildren in Moscow)].

Comprehensive studies of Moscow children are summarized. In 1961-1962, 1968-1972, 1981-1984 7000 of Moscow boys and girls from 8 to 17 years of age were investigated using cross-sectional and mixed-longitudinal methods (1968-1972). Trends in body dimensions, maturation levels distribution of somatotypes are analyzed. It is shown that, the process of acceleration of somatic development intensively continued up to mid-seventies then began to stabilize and in the early 80-s gave place to some retardation of body development in spite of the high standards of living. The possible causes of such trends are discussed.