The issue of changes of physical development indicators, their harmony and possible relation with puberty in girls and boys aged 6–11 under modern conditions

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18370/2309-4117.2025.80.62-69

Keywords:

harmony of the development, height, weight, sexual development, girls, boys, children aged 6–11

Abstract

Objective of the study: to determine features of physical development and its possible relationship with puberty of girls and boys of the age of 6–11 under modern conditions.
Materials and methods. 266 children of the age of 6-11 without congenital and hereditary pathology who live in Kyiv (98 boys and 168 girls) were examined. Anthropometric indicators, namely weight, height, were determined. Harmony of physical development was evaluated based on the body mass index. Both average and individual values of the indicators, which were evaluated based on centile tables, were assessed. The stage of sexual development was clinically assessed using the Tanner scale.
Results. Among examined children of the age of 6–11 disharmony of physical development occurred more often in boys – 67,8%, compared to girls – 32,2%, which can probably be explained by later onset of puberty in boys. Disharmony of physical development in boys was pronounced and statistically significantly different from that in girls due to significant underweight (2.21 and 0.35%, respectively) and overweight (11.74 and 7.50%). Almost half (53.54%) children had deviations in physical development indicators, which were diagnosed regardless of the child’s gender. 13.7% boys with normal growth indicators had obesity and were overweight. Girls with normal growth indicators had obesity and overweight more often – in 16.67% of cases, a one-third of which occurred at the age of 8-9 years.
Conclusions. Assessment of physical development by height, weight and body mass index can be a screening method. The most detailed assessment of individual characteristics of physical development of boys and girls can be done using the centile standards method. A steady trend towards an increase in growth and weight indicators with normal body mass index in the majority of cases in children regardless of gender has been identified which indicates that there is a need to review anthropometric standards every 10–15 years.

Author Biographies

L.V. Kvashnina, SI «Ukrainian Center of Maternity and Childhood of the NAMS of Ukraine», Kyiv

MD, professor, head of the Scientific and Practical Group of Stress-Associated Disorders and Premorbid Conditions in Children

L.A. Lutsenko, SI «Ukrainian Center of Maternity and Childhood of the NAMS of Ukraine», Kyiv

PhD, senior researcher, Department of Endocrine Gynecology

T.B. Ignatova, SI «Ukrainian Center of Maternity and Childhood of the NAMS of Ukraine», Kyiv

PhD, senior researcher, Scientific and Practical Group of Stress-Associated Disorders and Premorbid Conditions in Children

I.M. Matviyenko, SI «Ukrainian Center of Maternity and Childhood of the NAMS of Ukraine», Kyiv

PhD, senior researcher, Scientific and Practical Group of Stress-Associated Disorders and Premorbid Conditions in Children

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Published

2025-11-28

How to Cite

Kvashnina, L., Lutsenko, L., Ignatova, T., & Matviyenko, I. (2025). The issue of changes of physical development indicators, their harmony and possible relation with puberty in girls and boys aged 6–11 under modern conditions. REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY, (80), 62–69. https://doi.org/10.18370/2309-4117.2025.80.62-69

Issue

No. 80 (2025)

Section

Interdisciplinary problems

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