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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
10:00
Measurement of Lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster
Published on: January 7, 2013
How boys grow determines how long they live.
David J P Barker1, Eero Kajantie, Clive Osmond
1MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, United Kingdom. djpbarker@gmail.com
Summary
Taller stature in childhood generally predicts a longer lifespan, linked to good nutrition and fewer infections. However, rapid compensatory growth can reduce lifespan, making tallness a potentially misleading indicator of health.
Area of Science:
- Human biology
- Epidemiology
- Growth and development
Background:
- Increased societal height correlates with longer lifespans, suggesting childhood nutrition and health are key.
- Tall stature may sometimes result from compensatory growth, which can negatively impact animal lifespan.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between childhood height, growth patterns, and all-cause mortality in adult men.
- To determine if rapid compensatory growth influences the association between tall stature and lifespan.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of lifespan data from 6,975 men born in Helsinki, Finland (1934-1944).
- Recording and analysis of early childhood growth parameters, including height at age seven.
- Statistical analysis to assess mortality risk associated with height and growth patterns.
Main Results:
- Taller boys at age seven had significantly lower all-cause mortality (HR 0.79 per 10 cm increase).
- A subset of boys exhibiting rapid compensatory growth (taller than predicted by birth size) showed increased mortality (HR 1.32).
- Excluding compensatory growth cases, boys >126 cm at age seven lived 8 years longer than those ≤114 cm, comparable to high socioeconomic status effects.
Conclusions:
- Rapid childhood growth typically predicts a longer life, but compensatory growth complicates this.
- Tall stature in men can be a misleading indicator of longevity in populations with widespread compensatory growth.
- Further research is needed to understand the implications for diverse populations, such as African Americans.
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