The health of a population is most accurately reflected in the rate of growth of its children. It is this theme which underlies the analysis and presentation of what is by far the largest compilation of growth data ever assembled. The first edition, published in 1976, included all known reliable recent results on height, weight, skinfolds and other body measurements from all parts of the globe. In this edition, the very numerous measurements taken between 1976 and 1988 have been included as well as the results of the large number of new studies made on rate of maturation as evinced by bone age and pubertal development stages. Many sections of the book dwell on disentangling the effects of the environment and heredity on growth, and thus answer the question of whether one universal standard suffices for all peoples of the world, or whether different populations (such as races or nations) should each have their own optimal growth standards. Written by practical people with experience of the problems in developing countries, this book explains in simple terms the different sorts of growth surveys, how to set about making them, and which sort to choose. All who are professionally concerned with child health should read it.

"...should be regarded, therefore, as a companion to the first edition rather than a revision. Together, the two volumes represent the largest series of growth data ever assembled....should serve as an excellent resource for the reader who is interested in comparative studies of growth. In addition to the text and numerous easy-to-read figures, there is an appendix of 82 tables, which present both the means and the standard deviations of various anthropometric measures and indices, and an exhaustive list of references to other growth studies." Linda S. Adair, American Scientist

"...far more than a compilation of data, tables and an extensive bibliography. The implications of this data have carefully been considered and discussed, including the influence of stature, obesity and fat-patterning on chronic disease in adults. It is fascinating reading, practical and applicable to the developing and developed worlds. It should serve as an essential text and guide to those working in the fields of maternal and child health, infant and pre-school nutrition, and the health of the adolescent. It is of particular interest for those who plan to conduct different kinds of growth studies and surveys, as well as those who are interested in the public health implication of measuring growth and maturation in population groups." Ella Haddad, Journal of Nutrition Education