Height and Weight of Javanese in Malang (Indonesia): Increments of Two Times Measurements within 2 Years

Background: It is commonly assumed that the main reason for variations in child growth among various countries are living conditions, especially those influencing nutritional status and health status. Although undoubtedly true, other factors may also diffrentiate growth among various populations. Objective: No studies have been found in East Java that included the adolescents’ increments of growth. Therefore this study intended to provide Javanese adolescents’ increments of growth to complement the lack of data from this area. Methods: A mixed-longitudinal growth study of well-off Javanese has been carried out in Malang. Heights and weights of 499 males and 617 females were measured in year 2000 and 2001. Results: Javanese males’ peak height velocity (PHV) was 89.3 mm/year, and the females’ was 69.7 mm/year. The age of PHV was around 13 years and 11 years in males and females respectively. The PHV of the males and females were comparable to those of NHANES that were computed from the averages. The peaks of weight velocities (PWV) of Javanese males and females were lower and earlier in timing than those of NHANES. Conclusion: The age of PHVs were similar to those of NHANES. Further studies—such as longitudinal study—in well-off children need to be done to better understand the characteristics of PHV and PWV in human.