Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Nature and Nurture

Nature and Nurture

Many human characteristics, like height, are shaped by both nature—in other words, by our genes—and by nurture, or our environment. For example, chronic stress during childhood inhibits the production of growth hormones and consequently reduces bone growth and height. Scientists estimate that 70-90% of variation in height is due to genetic differences among individuals, and 10-30% of variation in height is due to differences in the environments that individuals experience, such as differences...

Signs of Puberty

Signs of Puberty

Puberty is a critical phase, typically beginning between the ages of 8 and 13 in girls and 9 and 14 in boys, though timing can vary based on genetics, environmental factors, and overall health. This period is characterized by the development of secondary sexual characteristics and the attainment of reproductive potential. Endocrine changes underpin puberty, with hormonal surges of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) instigated by Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH)...

Polygenic Traits

Polygenic Traits

When more than one gene is responsible for a given phenotype, the trait is considered polygenic. Human height is a polygenic trait. Studies have uncovered hundreds of loci that influence height, and there are believed to be many more. Due to the high number of genes involved, as well as environmental and nutritional factors, height varies significantly within a given population. The distribution of height forms a bell-shaped curve, with relatively few individuals in the population at the...

Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age

Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age

The upper and lower limb initially develops as a small bulge called a limb bud, which appears on the lateral side of the early embryo. The upper limb bud appears near the end of the fourth week of development, with the lower limb bud appearing shortly after.
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...

Environmental Influences on Intelligence

Environmental Influences on Intelligence

Despite the strong genetic influence on traits like intelligence, environmental factors significantly shape outcomes. For example, while over 90% of height variation is due to genetic differences, environmental factors such as nutrition also have a notable impact. Similarly, for intelligence, changes in a child's surroundings can significantly alter their IQ. Research shows that enriched environments boost children's academic success and help them develop key cognitive skills. Children from...

Applications of Normal Distribution

Applications of Normal Distribution

The normal distribution is a useful statistical tool. One of its practical applications is determining the door height after considering the normal distribution of heights of persons, such that many can pass through it easily without striking their heads. The normal distribution can also determine the probability of a person having a height less than a specific height.
The heights of 15 to 18-year-old males from Chile from 1984 to 1985 followed a normal distribution. The mean height is 172.36...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Impact of Covid-19 pandemic on tuberculosis mortality in Brazil: a time series analysis.

Revista de saude publica·2026

Same author

[Validity evidence of the Hospital Birth Satisfaction Scale using the Item Response Theory].

Cadernos de saude publica·2026

Same author

Temporal trend and factors associated with cesarean section in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, birth cohorts.

Ciencia & saude coletiva·2026

Same author

Fifth Strategic Plan for the Development of Epidemiology in Brazil (2025-2029).

Revista brasileira de epidemiologia = Brazilian journal of epidemiology·2025

Same author

Association Between Intrauterine Growth Restriction and Chronic Kidney Disease: A Birth Cohort Study Analysis.

Kidney medicine·2025

Same author

Associativism and field thematization: two hallmarks of the Journal Ciência & Saúde Coletiva.

Ciencia & saude coletiva·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study

Published on: February 2, 2017

Does child labour affect final height?

Solange Aparecida Estevão Cortez¹, Marco Antonio Barbieri, Maria da Conceição Pereira Saraiva

¹Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.

Occupational Medicine (Oxford, England)

|January 18, 2007

Summary

Child labor

Area of Science:

Public Health
Pediatrics
Human Growth and Development

Background:

Child labor's detrimental health effects are recognized, but its impact on final adult height remains debated.
Previous research has not conclusively linked early work experiences to adult stature.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the association between child labor and final height in young adults.
To determine if engaging in work before age 14 influences adult stature.

Main Methods:

A cohort study of 2063 Brazilian adults (aged 23-25) with retrospective data on early work history.
Height was measured, and work was categorized by age at first employment (<14, 14-16, >=17 years).
Statistical analyses included multiple linear regression, controlling for potential confounders.

More Related Videos

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts

Published on: January 29, 2018

Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children

Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children

Published on: August 22, 2012

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study

Published on: February 2, 2017

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts

Published on: January 29, 2018

Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children

Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children

Published on: August 22, 2012

Main Results:

Child labor (work before age 14) was reported by 20% of males and 12% of females.
Bivariate analysis showed a statistically significant association between child labor and final height in both sexes.
This association disappeared after adjusting for social and biological confounding factors.

Conclusions:

No significant differences in final height were found between individuals who did and did not engage in child labor.
Observed height variations are attributable to other social and biological factors, not child labor itself.