CHARACTERISTICS OF PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN AT THE BEGINNING OF SYSTEMATIC LEARNING AT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Abstract

Research aim. To evaluate the level and harmony of the external development of first graders as a prognostic criterion for adaptation to learning at school. Materials and methods. After obtaining informed consent, 255 first graders of secondary schools in St. Petersburg (136 boys and 119 girls) took part in the study. At the beginning of the school year, somatometry of children (length and body weight) was carried out and their physical development was assessed in accordance with WHO standards - “WHO Growth Reference 2007”. Statistical processing of the material was carried out using the application software STATISTICA v.10.0 © STATSOFT, USA. The results of the study are presented in the form P [CI]%, where P is the percentage share, CI is the 95% confidence interval for the share. Analysis of the statistical significance of the differences in the indicators was carried out using the Pearson χ2 criterion; differences were considered statistically significant at p<0.05. Results. The examination revealed an average level of physical development in most students (56.9%), in boys more often (63.2%) than in girls (49.5%; p=0.028). Moreover, in first graders of both sexes, body length indices above average values were recorded more often than reduced ones. Despite the fact that in most first graders the ratio of length to body weight was harmonious (64.3%), a high rate of obesity was noted: in 11.8% of girls and 14.8% of boys. At the same time, boys were more likely (8.8%) than girls (2.5%; p = 0.033) to have a body mass deficiency characteristic of protein energy deficiency. Conclusion. Our results are a pilot project and serve as an occasion for further research with the identification of factors that negatively affect the growth and development of first graders.