Objective To evaluate the children's physical growth in primary schools in Yan'an,and to promote the physical development of local children. Methods The general informations such as sleep,exercise,diet,etc.were surveyed through a questionnaire.The body heights and weights were messured and analyzed based on their gender,age and reginal distribution,then compared with the standard from the physical survey of the children from nine cities of China in 2005,also factors posssibly affected the physical growth of local pupils were analyzed. Results 1)The height of children in Yan'an increased with age,but was lower than the physical standard of the nine cities in 2005 (P＜0.05),no matter those living in urban areas or surburban areas.Also the gap increased with age,especially in surburban areas.2)Compared with the standard of the nine cities in 2005,there was no difference in weight for children before 12 years old in Yan'an,which increased with age also,but after 12 years old,the gap of weight between children in Yan'an and the standard of nine cities became bigger and bigger for both girls and boys in urban areas,as well as the girls in surburban areas in Yan'an(P＜0.05).3)Factors on weight and height of children in Yan'an were analyzed,the results showed that taking cod-liver oil and milk more,going to bed before 10 pm and exercising regularly could promote the physical growth,after controlling the genetic factors,such as their gender,the height of their mother,ect. Conclusions The physical growth of Yan'an children was relatively slow and there was increasing gap with age,compared to the standard of nine cities.This research also found that physical growth of local children could be improved by better nutrition and more exercises.