Secular Trend in Body Height of Schoolchildren in Northeast Attica, Greece

Aim: To examine the secular trend for body height in schoolchildren in Northeast Attica, Greece. Methods: In 2005 we studied the growth of 4,131 Greek schoolchildren (2,054 boys) aged 5.5-12.6 years. The data were compared with those of a study performed in 1994/95. We also studied the growth of 236 immigrant schoolchildren (95 boys and 141 girls). Results: For boys in the present study mean height (SD) was 135.6 (11.0) vs 133.8 (10.4) cm in the 1994/95 study, p <0.001, and for girls of the present study mean height was 135.2 (11.7) vs 133.3 (10.8) cm in 1994/95, p <0.001. The increase in height was present at almost all ages. There was a significant difference in height between Greek and immigrant boys, 135.6 (11.0) cm and 133.0 (10.2) cm, respectively, p <0.05. However, there was no significant difference in height between Greek and immigrant girls, 135.2 (11.7) and 133.8 (12.4) cm, respectively. Conclusion: A secular trend in height is still taking place in Greek schoolchildren that is mostly attributed to an increase in height from early life.