It is widely accepted that the growth of children is a general marker of the health of children in a community. Moreover, it is assumed that the secular changes are affected by environmental conditions such as inadequate nutrition and poverty. Increases in stature of school children living in Sendai diminished at the end of the 20th century, although they remained taller and heavier than those in the preceding years after World War II. Because there was a reacceleration in growth after a reduction in acceleration, further study is required to confirm whether these secular trends are changing or not.
