86 Heredity and Child Culture 



which affords a satisfactory working basis for 

 reference. These measurements can easily be 

 taken by parent or teacher once or twice a year 

 and a fairly satisfactory guide to proper de- 

 velopment thus obtained, allowance for indi- 

 vidual variations having been made. 



The following are some of the conclusions 

 reached after an extensive and thorough study 

 of Iowa school children, ^ — * ' The weight — 

 height index is the most practical criterion of 

 normal growth in robustness and, other condi- 

 tions being normal, in general nutrition." 



With regard to height, — *^For boys and girls 

 from six to eighteen years of age there is a 

 slight adolescent acceleration in height and 

 weight. * * * * As a rule tall boys and tall 

 girls reach their periods of maximum adoles- 

 cent stature earlier than do short ones. * * * * 

 If there is retardation before adolescence, the 

 tendency is to show a rapid acceleration during 

 adolescence as a compensating factor. * * * 

 Tall children at any age remain relatively tall 



^ Studies in Child Welfare — University of Iowa — 1921. 



