CHANGES IN THE BIOLOGICAL STATUS OF POLISH GIRLS FROM A RURAL REGION ASSOCIATED WITH ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL PROCESSES IN THE PERIOD 1967–2001

Abstract

The age at menarche, body height and weight of the daughters of farmers, farmer–workers and landless villagers in a rural region of Poland were studied. In the period 1967–1977, a time of economic development, a decrease in age at menarche (by 0.74 years) and a secular trend in body height (by 2.4 cm/decade) was observed. In 1977–1987, a period of acute economic crisis, age at menarche increased by 0.16 years and the secular trend in body height was only 1.1 cm/decade. In 1987–2001, age at menarche decreased and body height increased by 0.28 years and 2.9 cm respectively. The percentage of families owning a car, freezer and video increased during this period. These last results are indicative of an improvement in living conditions, but the villagers regard themselves as losers as a result of the political transformation (1989) in Poland.