Objective        To study the features of height distribution and the prevalence of short stature among the children and adolescents at 5 to 18 years old living in Wanzhou district

Chongqing and investigate the need to develop a height standard.       Methods       The heights of 70 952 school children and adolescents at 5 to 18 years old in Wanzhou were extracted by cluster sampling. The distribution of height for age was analyzed and compared with the 2005 National Student Physical Fitness Test standards. The prevalence of short stature distribution was analyzed.       Results       There were significant different in height distribution between urban and rural students

and between male and female students

both with the former obviously higher （P0.01）. According to the 2005 National Student Physical Fitness Test standards

the overall prevalence of youth short stature in Wanzhou was 23.46%

16.74% for urban students and 33.66% in rural areas. According to the regional standard based on our investigation

the overall prevalence of short stature was 2.19%

and 2.15% in urban

2.25% in rural areas.       Conclusion       Regional standards in height is developed on the basis of the relevant national standards

and the overall prevalence of short stature in children and adolescents in Wanzhou is 2.19% according to the regional standards. It is more realistic to develop short stature standards based on regional height standards.