Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 23, 2026

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
09:36

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study

Published on: February 2, 2017

Birth weight, early weight gain and pubertal maturation: a longitudinal study

Y Wang1, G E Dinse, W J Rogan

  • 1Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA. wangy13@niehs.nih.gov

Pediatric Obesity
|March 22, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Higher birth weight and early childhood weight gain are linked to earlier puberty onset in girls. This study examined these factors

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Human Growth and Development
  • Reproductive Health

Background:

  • Birth weight and early life growth are critical factors influencing child development.
  • The timing of puberty is a key indicator of overall health and development.
  • Understanding influences on pubertal timing is essential for identifying potential health risks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between birth weight and early weight gain with pubertal timing.
  • To examine these relationships separately in girls and boys.
  • To determine the impact on menarche and advanced Tanner stages.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study of 856 newborns followed to adolescence.
  • Collected birth weight data and tracked weight gain in early childhood (0-5 years).
  • Assessed age at menarche and advanced Tanner stages using adolescent and parental reports; survival models analyzed data.

Main Results:

  • Girls with higher birth weight and greater early weight gains experienced earlier menarche and advanced Tanner stages.
  • Boys with greater early weight gains tended toward earlier advanced Tanner stages, though significance varied.
  • The association between birth weight and early weight gain with pubertal timing was more pronounced in girls.

Conclusions:

  • Higher birth weights and accelerated early childhood weight gain are associated with earlier sexual maturation in girls.
  • These findings highlight the importance of early life factors in determining pubertal timing.
  • Further research may explore underlying biological mechanisms and long-term health implications.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts07:56

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts

Published on: January 29, 2018

A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect05:04

A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect

Published on: September 22, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Signs of Puberty01:27

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)...
Longitudinal Research02:20

Longitudinal Research

Sometimes we want to see how people change over time, as in studies of human development and lifespan. When we test the same group of individuals repeatedly over an extended period of time, we are conducting longitudinal research. Longitudinal research is a research design in which data-gathering is administered repeatedly over an extended period of time. For example, we may survey a group of individuals about their dietary habits at age 20, retest them a decade later at age 30, and then again...
Nature and Nurture01:10

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...
Longitudinal Studies01:26

Longitudinal Studies

Longitudinal studies are also widely used in other medical and social science fields. For instance, in cardiovascular research, they can monitor patients' health over decades to identify risk factors for heart disease, such as high cholesterol or smoking, and evaluate the long-term effectiveness of preventive measures. Similarly, in mental health studies, researchers might follow individuals from adolescence into adulthood to understand the development and progression of conditions like...
Regression Toward the Mean01:52

Regression Toward the Mean

Regression toward the mean (“RTM”) is a phenomenon in which extremely high or low values—for example, and individual’s blood pressure at a particular moment—appear closer to a group’s average upon remeasuring. Although this statistical peculiarity is the result of random error and chance, it has been problematic across various medical, scientific, financial and psychological applications. In particular, RTM, if not taken into account, can interfere when researchers try to extrapolate results...
Derivatives: Problem Solving01:26

Derivatives: Problem Solving

Temperature-Dependent Growth of Brook TroutThe growth of brook trout is closely influenced by water temperature. Experimental data demonstrate how trout weight changes over a 24-day period in response to varying water temperatures. At lower temperatures, such as 15.5 degrees Celsius, brook trout show significant weight gain. However, as the temperature increases, the amount of weight gained steadily decreases. At the highest temperature measured, 24.4 degrees Celsius, trout experience a net...