[The 5th nation-wide anthropological study of children and adolescents held in 1991 (Czech Republic)--selected anthropometric characteristics].

The Vth nation-wide survey of children and adolescents which was conducted in autumn 1991 under new conditions comprised again, similarly as the four previous ones, a representative sample selected by random sampling. As compared with the 1981 survey, the anthropometric parameters were extended by the circumference of the relaxed left arm and the hip circumference. A questionnaire for parents was elaborated where by a quite new approach was used. The still positive action of the secular trend of increasing height was confirmed. The action of the trend shifts to younger age groups, as compared with former surveys. The present survey confirmed also a tendency towards slimness in both sexes, however, in particular in girls a shift of this tendency to younger age groups was apparent. It will be certainly necessary to evaluate in future whether this trend reflects also a more favourable ratio of body composition. With regard to these changes the authors submit new percentile charts for evaluation of height, proportionality, and for children under three years, also head circumference.