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Pubertal onset with adulthood lung function mediated by height growth in adolescence
Liang Li1, Hongmei Zhang1, John W Holloway2
1Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA.
ERJ Open Research
|December 2, 2020
Summary
Pubertal onset timing influences adult lung function, with adolescent height growth mediating this effect. Early puberty can lead to better lung capacity (FVC and FEV1) in adulthood.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Human Growth and Development
Background:
- Pubertal onset timing is linked to adult height and lung function.
- The role of adolescent height growth in mediating this link is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether adolescent height growth mediates the association between age at puberty and early adult lung function.
Main Methods:
- Path analysis was used to examine data from the Isle of Wight (IOW) birth cohort (n=1261).
- Key variables included age at pubertal events, height at ages 10 and 18, and lung function (FVC, FEV1) at age 26.
- Findings were validated in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) cohort.
Main Results:
- In females, earlier menarche and body hair growth were indirectly associated with higher FVC and FEV1 at age 26, mediated by height growth and lung function at age 18.
- In males, earlier body hair growth, growth spurt, and facial hair growth were indirectly associated with higher FVC at age 26.
- Results were consistent across both IOW and ALSPAC cohorts.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent height growth plays a significant mediating role in the relationship between pubertal onset and adult lung function (FVC).
- These findings highlight the importance of pubertal development on long-term respiratory health.
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