Abstract
The aim of this study is to examine the characteristics of physical growth (PG) in children and adolescents aged 6–17 years residing in urban and rural areas of Western Kazakhstan using anthropometric measurements and standardized indicators: weight-for-age Z-score (WAZ), height-for-age Z-score (HAZ), and body mass index (BMI)-for-age Z-score (BAZ). A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 830 children and adolescents, including 277 urban and 553 rural residents. Data on height, weight, and BMI were collected, from which the standardized indicators WAZ, HAZ, and BAZ were calculated. Urban adolescents aged 15–17 exhibited higher height and weight measurements compared to their rural peers, as reflected in the HAZ values ( P < 0.001). Gender differences in height and weight were observed only in adolescents aged 15–17, whereas standardized indicators WAZ, HAZ, and BAZ did not reveal significant gender differences. Younger school-aged children (6–9 years) from rural areas had a less favorable PG profile according to WAZ, with a high prevalence of both overweight (8.96%) and thinness (3.77%). The most significant issues facing the studied population were overweight and obesity, present in 21.7% of urban and 20.3% of rural children and adolescents. The findings of this study emphasize the importance of considering age, gender, and place of residence when developing preventive measures aimed at improving the physical development of children and adolescents.