Objective  To explore the characteristics and regularity of somatotype development of Hui adolescents in Nanyang area.    Methods  The Heath-Carter body type method  was used to evaluate the body type of 1357 Hui adolescents in Nanyang area. 

  Results  The height and weight of adolescents aged 7-18 increased with age. Except for the 8-year-old group, the body fat rate of girls in other age groups was greater than that of boys. The average somatotype of Hui boys in Nanyang area was mesomorphic endomorph (5.3-4. 0-3.4), while the average somatotype of Hui girls was ectomorphic endomorph (5.0-2.5-3.3). Both boys and girls were endomorph mainly (boys 40.0%, girls 29.0%). Except for the 17-year-old group, in terms of endomorphy, boys was greater than that of girls in other age groups; as for mesomorphy, boys was greater than that of girls in all age groups; as far as ectomorphy was concerned, girls was greater than boys in the 7-13 years old groups, and in the14-18 years old groups boys was greater than girls.    Conclusion  The Hui girls in Nanyang area are thinner and less subcutaneous fat than the boys. Compared with the girls, the Hui boys’ bodies have higher linear shape and more fullness. The Hui adolescents in Nanyang area have more body fat, which may be related to their unreasonable diet and living habits.