Studies on The Physical Growth of High School Students in Fukushima Prefecture

Abstract

Physical standards of male students at high schools in Fukushima Prefecture were recorded to compare the data obtained during the three year period of Showa 28 to 30 with those of Showa 38 to 40 to see the chronological change during the 10 years. Also study was made on the regional difference in the growth by dividing Fukushima Prefecture into the four regions of north, south, Aizu and coast. Following are the data obtained from the study. Height : When the height of students in Fukushima Prefecture was compared with the Japanese standard height, boys from the north district were found tallest, and boys from the south district were shortest regardless of the above period. The regional difference was most conspicuous among the boys of the first-year grade, but the regional difference has decreased in 10 years. The growth rate by Cohort between the new students of Showa 28 and Showa 38 showed that the boys from the districts of short stature at the time of entering school had the highest rate of growth. This indicates that the gap between new students from districts of short and tall stature is decreasing as they are promoted to higher grades. The growth percentage of standard height observed in the high school students from the points of standard deviation and coefficient of variation have been uniform during the 10 years. Weight : The students of all grades showed remarkable increase in their standard weight. No regional difference was observed throughout the 10 years. However, uniformity of increase in weight became less after 10 years. This means, unlike height, there were many boys whose weight increase were significant. Chest : The statistics during the 3 years from Showa 28 to 30 showed that the students in Aizu district had the broadest average chest. It is interesting to note that the boys in Aizu who had the second shortest stature to those in the south district had the bradest chest. However, in 10 years, this characteristic was lost and no regional difference was recognized. Uniformity showed a tendency of becoming less in 10 years as well as the regional differences. Sitting Height : During the 10 years, increase in the sitting height, especially among the first-grade students, is striking. Uniformity of increase was greater 10 years later, and its rigional difference tended to become less.