A somatometric study of the head and face in Japanese adolescents.

We studied somatometric measurements of the head and face in Japanese adolescents. We obtained craniofacial measurements of 164 children (82 males and 82 females, from 12 to 14 years of age) from the junior high school in Ayase City (Kanagawa prefecture). In order to have adult data with which to compare, we measured 56 dental students (28 males and 29 females, 20 years of age) from Showa University in Tokyo. We found that head breadth reached adult size at 14 years of age, but, in males, head length increased continuously after 14 years of age. Bizigomatic breadth increased from 12 to 20 years of age. Bigonial breadth had almost completed its growth during adolescence. Face depth grew more slowly than face breadth. From these results, it was clear that craniofacial breadth increased earlier than length. Sexual dimorphism in craniofacial size increased according to age, while sexual difference in the index decreased according to age. A comparison of 3 different generations (40 years ago, 20 years ago, and today) showed brachycephalization and secular change of head breadth and facial measurements. These findings were more evident in females than in males.