Abstract
In previous papers (Ref. 3, 4), it was reported that the maximum growth age in height (MGA) was influenced by great social changes. The percent of calories from starchy foods (PCSF), what is called “the second Engel's coefficent”, is generally considered to be the indicator not only of nutrition level but also of the level of living. The annual changes of MGA were compared with those of PCSF in Japan after World War II. The results were as follows:
1) Annual changes in PCSF as well as in MGA were found to be in agreement with Gompertz and logistic curves. Considering the similar tendency shown by the two, MGA may be considered to be a useful social indicator.
2) Time lag of 20 years was observed between inflexion points of regression curves of MGA and of PCSF. From this fact, it was considered that the changes of the nutrition level such as PCSF were not directly connected with the growth acceleration in height.
3) Annual changes in intakes of eggs, milk and milk products showed Gompertz or logistic curves inverse to that of MGA. However, just as seen in PCSF, time lags were observed between the inflexion points of regression curves of MGA and of eggs, milk and milk products intake: 17-18 years' lag in the case of eggs intake curve, and 22-23 years' lag in the case of milk and milk products intake. Accordingly, it was considered that eggs, milk and milk products intake were not directly connected with MGA.
From the above-mentioned considerations, it may be concluded that various social changes in Japan i.e., modernization, urbanization, industrialization and so on, have simultaneously influenced on and brought about the changes in the growth and dietary life of school children.
