OBJECTIVETo analyze the current situation of the growth and development on Chinese Han children and adolescents.

METHODSUsing the 2004 National Survey on Students' Physical Fitness and Health, the body height, weight and chest circumference of 161,477 subjects aged 7 to 18 enrolled in this study were analyzed.

RESULTSIt showed that the levels of the growth and development in urban students were better than those of rural students (P < 0.01). The average level on stature of 12-aged students were 152.78 cm and 148.66 cm respectively for urban and rural boys, and the deference was 4.12 cm; the mean heights of urban and rural girls were 152.68 cm and 149.24 cm respectively, and the deference was 3.44 cm. The average level on body weight of 12-aged students were 44.75 kg and 39.27 kg respectively for urban and rural boys, and the deference was 5.48 kg; the mean weights of urban and rural girls were 42.91 kg and 39.17 kg respectively, and the deference was 3.74 kg. The average level on chest circumference of 12-aged urban students was beyond the rural students 3.68 cm and 2.56 cm respectively by gender. The average level on body height and weight of 7 to 14 aged students of east inshore areas were more than those of southwest, northwest and middle areas (P < 0.01). The mean body height and weight of students of southwest area were the lowest in whole country (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONIt reveals that attaching further importance to improve the work of students' physical fitness and health and nutrition in inland areas, especially in southwest areas and rural areas, would be contributory to the growth and development of the children and adolescents.