Chinese boys and girls are getting taller and heavier, according to a survey.

Since 2000, the average height of boys in the age group of 7-18 has increased 0.48 cm; they have also put on 1.35 kg, the survey conducted by the Ministry of Education found.

The average height of girls in the same age group has increased 0.38 cm while they, too, put on weight, some 1.03 kg more than in 2000.

The ministry began conducting physical surveys every two years among students instead of the previous five-year span in 2000, the China Daily reported.

Experts attribute the increase in size to improvements the nation has seen in diet and nutrition, although there is some concern that the extra weight is not necessarily a healthy thing.

The survey, conducted between 2002-03 in Beijing and Chongqing municipalities and another 12 provinces or autonomous regions, covered various parameters like body make-up, physiological functions, physical quality and the child's health status.

The survey also indicated that the average height and weight of urban teenagers are slightly higher than those of their rural counterparts. This may be caused by disparities in living standards, especially in terms of nutrition.          

It also found that the number of overweight students has increased in both urban and rural areas.