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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Pubertal development in obese children and adolescents
1Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital of Ulm, Eythstrasse 24, D-89075 Ulm, Germany.
International Journal of Obesity (2005)
|July 27, 2007
Summary
Obese children show normal pubertal timing overall, but obese girls experience slightly advanced breast development. Obese boys exhibit a dissociation between clinical signs and lab results, with elevated dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and decreased testosterone.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Adolescent Health
- Obesity Research
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a growing concern with potential impacts on endocrine function and development.
- Pubertal development is a critical period influenced by various factors, including nutritional status.
- Understanding pubertal markers in obese youth is essential for monitoring health and predicting outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate clinical and laboratory indicators of pubertal maturation in a large cohort of obese children and adolescents.
- To compare pubertal development in obese youth with established reference data.
- To identify potential discrepancies between physical and hormonal markers of puberty in this population.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of sexual maturation parameters in 1232 obese individuals (aged 6-18 years).
- Clinical assessment of pubertal stage and bone age determination in a subset of 227 patients.
- Measurement of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and testosterone levels.
Main Results:
- Obese girls showed slightly advanced breast development (B3 stage).
- Obese boys exhibited elevated dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels and decreased testosterone levels.
- Bone age was accelerated in obese youth until age 14, with normal pubarche timing in both genders.
Conclusions:
- Obese German boys demonstrate normal pubarche and gonadarche, despite a dissociation between clinical and laboratory findings.
- Obese girls appear to have slightly advanced breast development.
- Elevated DHEAS in obese youth may contribute to accelerated bone maturation and potentially impact final height and cardiovascular risk.
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