The study objectiveis to compare the characteristics of physical and sexual development of boys aged 11–13 years living in different ecological and geographical areas of the Republic of Dagestan and to determine the effect of chronic iodine deficiency on the onset of puberty.Materials and methods. In a lowland area containing 11 districts, 501 subjects were examined; in a mountain area containing 17 districts, 325 subjects were examined; in a submontane area containing 7 districts, 274 subjects were examined. In total, 1100 boys aged 11–13 years were randomly selected.Results.Physical development of the boys was mostly characterized as normal but with a clear tendency toward lower values, especially in the submontane districts. In boys living in the areas with severe iodine deficiency, delayed onset of puberty was observed 3.2 times more frequently than in their counterparts living in the districts with mild iodine deficiency. Total fraction of boys with signs of delayed sexual development was 38.5 %, and they mostly lived in the submontane area.Conclusion.Emerging in Russia tendency toward lowered characteristics of physical development of boys is observed in the Republic of Dagestan. This confirms the negative effect of chronic iodine deficiency on sexual development of boys which manifests through delayed sexual maturity.

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