Secular Change in Growth of Philadelphia Black Adolescents

Document Type

Article

Authors

Phyllis B. Eveleth, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
Evelyn J. Bowers, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Joan I. Schall, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Abstract

Secular changes in growth were observed on a USA urban population. In 1977 nearly 900 Black Philadelphia adolescents, IOV2 to 16 years of age were examined and the results were compared with an earlier Philadelphia sample measured in 1956-65. Youths in 1977 were taller and heavier, on average, and had greater sitting heights than youths in 1956-65. Mean log weight relative to mean height was almost unchanged as were skinfold thicknesses. There is some evidence of accelerated skeletal maturation. The general conclusion is that the situation of Black adolescents in Philadelphia has improved over approximately the past twenty years.

Recommended Citation

Eveleth, Phyllis B.; Bowers, Evelyn J.; and Schall, Joan I. (1979) "Secular Change in Growth of Philadelphia Black Adolescents," Human Biology: Vol. 51: Iss. 2, Article 10.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/humbiol/vol51/iss2/10