Abstract: A collection of papers presented at an international symposium explores 3 general areas of human physical development: the methodologies used in collecting information on body composition, sketal maturation, dental development, and genetic analysis; growth, both normal and abnormal, of infants, adolescents and adults; and the environmental factors known to influence these processes, such as nutrition, physical activity, and socioeconomic and psychosocial factors. Methodologies include research design, statistical analysis, sample selection and various measurement techniques. Growth patterns are analyzed for preterm and full term infants as well as other age groups. Environmental influences are examined through twin studies, developmental genetics, and deprivation. The wide scope of the studies in intended to emphasize the dynamic nature of growth, and the need to focus on serial data rather than cross-sectional data to provide understanding of growth patterns.