Features of the biological development of schoolchildren in the Moscow region with different levels of health

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The study of the health status of children and the dynamics of the physical and biological development of schoolchildren remains an urgent scientific issue both in our country and worldwide. The lifestyles of modern children and adolescents change based on regional standards for physical and biological development. AIM: To analyze the dynamics of puberty in modern schoolchildren depending on their health status and update biological development standards of schoolchildren in the Moscow region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the 2020s, an observational single-center cross-sectional study of the health status and physical and biological development of schoolchildren aged 12–16 years was performed in Moscow. Physical and biological development was assessed in each age and sex group according to standard methods using certified anthropometric instruments to measure height and weight. RESULTS: The study involved 508 schoolchildren with different levels of health, who were divided into groups 1 (n=107, 21.1%), 2 (n=208, 58.7%), and 3 (n=103, 20.2%). Diseases of the eye and its adnexal apparatus (24%) were prevalent functional abnormalities, and musculoskeletal system and connective tissue diseases were found in 20% of the sample. The level of biological development in groups 1 and 2 in comparison with group 3 did not differ significantly (р 0.05); however, later development of secondary sexual characteristics tended to occur in schoolchildren with chronic diseases. Significant (р=0.038) differences in the age at menarche in girls were found depending on the level of physical development. Thus, when developing standards for biological development, data of schoolchildren in groups 1 and 2 must be considered. CONCLUSION: The results of this study clearly demonstrated the prevalence of functional abnormalities and chronic diseases of various nosologies among schoolchildren in the Moscow region. The results of the study provided an update on the standards for the biological development of schoolchildren in Moscow.