Secular changes in the heights and weights of Western Australian primary school children

SummaryAnthropometric data for 6864 primary school children from the metropolitan area of Perth, Western Australia, were compared with figures compiled in 1940 for a similar sample from the same area. In the 31 year period, 5–13 year old males increased, on average, by approximately 3·5% in height in each 1 year age group and, in weight, between 8·7% at 5·5 years to 14% by 12·5 years. Over the same period girls of similar age showed height increases with a mean value of 3·1% for each 1 year age group and weight increases ranging from 6% to 14%. Male and female rates of increase were not significantly different Comparisons of these results with secular changes calculated from data for Sydney, New South Wales, showed a general similarity but also some differences. Some possible reasons for these differences are considered.