The Journal of Pediatrics
Volume 142, Issue 3 , Pages 259-262, March 2003

Alterations in height, weight, and body mass index of newborns, children, and young adults in eastern Germany after German reunification☆

German Center for Growth, Development, and Health Encouragement during Childhood and Youth of Berlin, University Hospital for Gynecology and Obstetrics of Rostock, University Hospital and Outpatients Department for Children and Young People of Leipzig, Institute for Military Medical Statistics and Reporting of the German Federal Armed Forces of Remagen, Germany

Received 2 October 2001; received in revised form 7 September 2002; accepted 30 November 2002.

Abstract 

Objective To examine the effects of the socioeconomic changes occurring during the German reunification on anthropometric data of newborns, children, and young adults. Study design Data were drawn from different perinatal surveys and cross-sectional studies that were conducted in the newly formed German states before and after reunification (1984-2000). Results The mean birth weight of newborns increased 151 g between 1984 and 1985 (n = 51,447) and 1997 (n = 83,052), whereas length increased by 0.2 cm. Among 7- to 10-year-old school children in the federal state of Saxonia between 1984 and 1985 (n = 2359) and 1999 and 2000 (n = 11,575), an increase of height by 1 to 2 cm and weight by 1.2 to 2.6 kg was observed. Average body mass index (BMI) increased by 0.7 to 0.9 kg/m2. Among military recruits from Eastern Germany, an increase in weight and height was observed between 1985 and 1998. BMI values rose from 21.5 to 22.6 kg/m2, and “centimeter weight” increased from 381 to 405 g/cm. Conclusion The results show that the change in socioeconomic conditions was associated with alteration in anthropometric measures within a short period. This may have been caused by changes in the nutrient supply and composition as well as reduced physical activity. (J Pediatr 2003;142:259-62)

Abbreviations:  BMI , Body mass index, GDR , Eastern Germany

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 30.00 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

☆ Reprints not available from the authors. Address correspondence to: Prof Dr. med. Volker Hesse, Deutsches Zentrum für Wachstums, Entwicklung und Gesundheitsförderung im Kindes- und Jugendalter, Gotlindestraße 2-20, 10365 Berlin, Germany. E-mail: hesse@khl-berlin.de.

PII: S0022-3476(02)40334-4

doi:10.1067/mpd.2003.85

Refers to article:

  • Evaluating resuscitation practices on the basis of evidence: The findings at first glance may seem illogical

    John Kattwinkel
    The Journal of Pediatrics March 2003 (Vol. 142, Issue 3, Pages 221-222)

The Journal of Pediatrics
Volume 142, Issue 3 , Pages 259-262, March 2003

Article Tools