SUMMARY One thousand schoolboys aged 8 to 16 were examined for their somatotype, physical growth, sexual maturation, and smoking habits. Fifty-two boys were found to be smokers, of whom 30 were regularly smoking between two and 20 bidis or cigarettes a day for a mean duration of 2 5 years. The mean height and weight of the smokers was significantly lower than that of the non-smokers at all ages, more so in regular than occasional smokers. Sixty-nine per cent of the smokers had mesomorphic type of body build; about 65% of the non-smokers had ectomorphic somatotype (P <0.001). Onset of puberty occurred significantly earlier among smokers compared with non-smokers, as was evident from the early appearance of genital stage 2, and an early and rapid increase in testicular size. Genital stage 2 appeared at a mean age of 11 years in smokers and 11 6 years in non-smokers. However, the appearance of pubic, axillary, and facial hair was delayed. The possible significance of this is discussed.Morphological and physical characteristics of adult smokers have been studied. However, little information is available on the body build, height, and weight of young smokers. There is also a paucity of information on the sexual maturation of children who smoke. In the present study we have analysed our findings on the body build, height, weight, and maturation of secondary sex characteristics in young smokers.
Material and methodsDuring 1979, 1000 schoolboys of Ajmer city, aged 8-16, were studied for physical growth, sexual maturation, and smoking habits. To obtain a sample representative of all socioeconomic status groups, five schools serving different areas of Ajmer were selected for study. One was a public school serving well-to-do families and one was a school in a slum area; three schools, two Government schools, and one run by a charitable trust served the general population. Between 100 and 150 children were selected in each age group so as to make a sample of 1000. Before the study was undertaken, headmasters and teachers in these schools were told of its purpose and procedures. Three days before the contemplated day of examination, the boys' parents were requested to fill up apro forma asking for information about the date of birth of the child, family size, family income, living conditions, and parental literacy. When the children were interviewed, after having established a proper rapport and gaining their confidence, each one was asked about his personal hobbies, ambitions, and smoking habits. The boys were also asked whether they smoked and, if so, what was their frequency of smoking and the age when they started.All those who agreed that they smoked were labelled as smokers, the rest as non-smokers. Those who smoked daily one or more cigarettes or bidis were labelled as regular smokers and those who smoked less than one cigarette or bidi a day as occasional smokers. Ex-smokers, if any, were included in the non-smoker category as there was an apparent reluctance among children to identify with their past smoking habits,...
