Growth in Central Australian Aborigines: Stature

Centile curves for height attained from age five and one-half years to maturity were derived from stature measurements recorded between 1961 and 1969 in a longitudinal growth study of Aboriginal children living under settlement conditions at Yuendumu in the Northern Territory of Australia. There was little difference in stature between boys and girls up to age eight years. Girls were taller than boys between ages eight and 14 years. Boys were taller than girls after age 14 years. Aboriginal boys were found to be a little shorter than British boys of corresponding age. Aboriginal girls from age six years to maturity were found to be about the same height as British girls of corresponding age.