Comparative Characteristics of Physical Development of Schoolchildren in Moscow and Kiev

The aim of this study was to find peculiarities in processes of growth and development of the child and adolescent in different megalopolises, Moscow and Kiev, on the background of various social and economic changes in society and standards of living of the child population. Comparison analysis of physical development of Moscow and Kiev children did not show statistically significant differences in body length except in boys aged between 10 and 16 years and in girls aged between 12 and 17 years. The changes in physical development of Kiev children demonstrate a domination of gracilization, accompanied by significant low values of body mass with high values of body length, especially in girls. The study showed that modern adolescents of both cities exceed their peers from previous generation in body length. Chest circumference in all ages of both sexes and body mass starting from 10 years of age were higher in adolescents from Moscow. We found a negative trend to the increase in the number of overweight Moscow children in the studied dynamics.