Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 15, 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

Physical growth and cognitive skills in early-life: evidence from a nationally representative US birth cohort

Jason E Murasko1

  • 1Dept. of Economics, Finance, Decision Science, & Marketing, University of Houston - Clear Lake, 2700 Bay Area Boulevard, Houston, TX 77058, USA.

Social Science & Medicine (1982)
|December 27, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Early childhood growth, measured by length/height, is linked to cognitive development from infancy through school entry. This early growth predicts kindergarten readiness better than later height, especially for girls.

Area of Science:

  • Child Development
  • Pediatric Health
  • Cognitive Science

Background:

  • Childhood growth and cognitive development are complex processes.
  • Understanding the early relationship between physical growth and cognitive skills is crucial for identifying developmental trajectories.
  • Previous research has explored links between nutrition, health, and cognition, but the specific role of linear growth requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between early childhood length/height and cognitive skills across different developmental stages.
  • To determine if early growth is a more significant predictor of later cognitive outcomes than attained height.
  • To explore potential sex differences in the growth-cognition relationship.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study--Birth Cohort (ECLS-B), a representative sample of US children.
  • Analyzed longitudinal data tracking children from infancy (9 months) through school entry (kindergarten).
  • Employed statistical methods to assess the association between length/height and cognitive measures, controlling for birthweight and socioeconomic status.

Main Results:

  • A significant positive association between length/height and cognitive skills was observed as early as 9 months of age, persisting through school entry.
  • Early growth trajectory emerged as a stronger predictor of kindergarten reading and math abilities compared to attained height at school entry.
  • This stronger predictive power of early growth was more pronounced in girls than in boys.

Conclusions:

  • Early physical growth is a critical factor influencing cognitive development in children.
  • Interventions promoting optimal early growth may have lasting benefits for cognitive outcomes.
  • The findings highlight the importance of considering early life as a sensitive period for the development of cognitive abilities, with potential sex-specific nuances.

Keywords:
ChildCognitiveGrowthHeightInfantSkillUnited States

More Related Videos

Quantified Assessment of Infant's Gross Motor Abilities Using a Multisensor Wearable09:24

Quantified Assessment of Infant's Gross Motor Abilities Using a Multisensor Wearable

Published on: May 17, 2024

Related Concept Videos

The Nativist Approach01:21

The Nativist Approach

The nativist approach to infant cognitive development proposes that infants are born with inherent knowledge structures that allow them to interpret the world almost immediately. This perspective contrasts with earlier developmental theories, such as those proposed by Jean Piaget, which emphasized a more gradual acquisition of cognitive abilities through interaction with the environment. One key concept in this approach is object permanence — the understanding that objects continue to exist...
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...
Information Processing Approach01:30

Information Processing Approach

The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is also...
Environmental Influences on Intelligence01:29

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...
Biological Influences on Intelligence01:30

Biological Influences on Intelligence

Intelligence is often thought to be linked to brain size, but the relationship is more complex than that. While brain size does correlate modestly with some abilities, like verbal skills, the connection is weaker for others, such as spatial reasoning. Other factors, like brain structure, also play crucial roles. For instance, despite Einstein's smaller-than-average brain, his parietal cortex, which is involved in spatial reasoning, was 15% wider, suggesting that neural density might matter more...
Cognitive Development During Adolescence01:18

Cognitive Development During Adolescence

During adolescence, individuals experience significant cognitive development that enhances their understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, known as cognitive empathy. This period is marked by an increased ability to adapt to others' perspectives and a more nuanced understanding of others' mental states, a skill that is foundational for social problem-solving and conflict avoidance. The development of cognitive empathy relies heavily on the theory of mind — the recognition that people have...