Abstract

BACKGROUND: Improvements in socioeconomic conditions in the 20th century had a dramatic impact on the growth and development of children, resulting in greater somatic growth and earlier pubertal maturation. Furthermore, in the last part of that century childhood obesity took on epidemic proportions in many countries The aim of the study was to present the secular trend of body weight of Greek schoolchildren in the 20th century. MATERIAL/METHODS: The data were taken from growth studies the authors conducted themselves or were able to find in the Greek literature. All studies were cross-sectional and spanned the years from 1920 to 1995. The studies referred mainly to children living in Athens or other major cities of the country. RESULTS: The data were taken from growth studies the authors conducted themselves or were able to find in the Greek literature. All studies were cross-sectional and spanned the years from 1920 to 1995. The studies referred mainly to children living in Athens or other major cities of the country. CONCLUSIONS: Improvement in the socioeconomic conditions in Greece resulted in an increase in body weight in Greek schoolchildren in the 20th century. However, this increase tended to stop in adolescent girls.

Keywords: Body Mass Index, Adolescent, Body Weight - physiology, Child, Greece, History, 20th Century, Schools, Students