HYGIENIC ASSESSMENT OF HEALTH STATUS AND ANTHROPOMETRIC INDICATORS OF PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE CITY AND THE COUNTRYSIDE

We assessed the main anthropometric indicators of physical development (height, body weight and chest circumference) in primary school children living and studying in the city and their peers living and studying in the countryside. We carried out children's medical records analysis with an assessment of health groups structure. It has been established that the physical development indicators in primary school rural children are statistically significantly higher than those of urban children in both boys and girls. Chronic diseases are more common among urban children aged 7–10 years. The obtained results confirm the need for a special approach to physical development assessing of children and adolescents living in cities and the countryside, as well as the need to develop preventive measures aimed at improving and preserving the children health.