Regional variation in growth status: A cross‐sectional survey among Tibetan adolescents living at three different high altitudes in Tibet, China.

Objective: To explore the regional and age variation in growth status and age‐by‐site interaction effect on the growth status among Chinese Tibetan adolescents at different altitudes in Tibet, China. Methods: The research was conducted in three regions of Tibet, China: Nyingchi (average altitude 3100 m), Lhasa (average altitude 3650 m), and Nagqu (average altitude 4500 m). A total of 3817 Chinese Tibetan adolescents aged 12–18 years were tested for height, weight, chest circumference, and waist circumference. One‐way ANOVA was used to compare the growth status of Chinese Tibetan adolescents. Two‐way ANOVA was used to explore the age‐by‐site interaction effect on the growth status of Chinese Tibetan adolescents. Results: The height, weight, and chest circumference of Chinese Tibetan adolescents in Nagqu are the lowest among the three cities. Age and site have an interaction effect influence on the growth status of Chinese Tibetan adolescents (p <.01). Conclusions: The growth indicators (height, weight, chest circumference, WC) of Chinese Tibetan adolescents differed with altitudes. Policies to improve the growth status of Chinese Tibetan adolescents in Nagqu are urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]