Examination of regional differences in physical growth in urban and rural areas. Based on longitudinal data from South Korea

Although the land area of South Korea is small and the population density is high compared with the neighboring country of China, examination of the regional differences in physical growth in South Korea is thought to be insufficient. In this study, to examine the regional differences in physical growth in South Korea, we attempted to verify the effects of unique regional environments on physical growth by comparing an urban area within the city of Busan and a rural district in the surrounding area. The subjects were 300 males and 201 females in the final year of one high school within the city of Busan, and 230 males and 215 females in the final year of a high school in a rural area outside the city of Busan. Health check records for these subjects were reviewed retrospectively, and longitudinal growth data for height and weight were obtained from the first year of elementary school (age 7 years) to the final year of high school (age 18 years) (1988–1999). The wavelet interpolation method was then applied to the longitudinal growth data for height and weight classified into urban and rural areas, and the maximum peak velocity (MPV) and mid-growth spurts (MGS) were identified. The results revealed a significant difference between the urban and rural areas in the age at MPV of height and weight for males ( P