Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 14, 2025

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

27.3K

Body composition of children with different gestation time

Łukasz Kryst1, Magdalena Żegleń2, Agnieszka Woronkowicz1

  • 1Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, University of Physical Education in Kraków, Kraków, Poland.

American Journal of Human Biology : the Official Journal of the Human Biology Council
|November 2, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Children born with shorter gestation periods showed higher body composition values after age 6-8 years. However, longer gestation was linked to greater Body Mass Index (BMI) and adiposity in younger children, highlighting risks for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Human Growth and Development
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Childhood body composition is influenced by various factors, including prenatal development.
  • Understanding these influences is crucial for identifying potential long-term health risks.
  • Gestational duration is a key factor in fetal development and may impact postnatal growth trajectories.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between gestational duration and body composition in prepubescent children.
  • To identify specific body composition differences based on gestation time in children aged 3-10 years.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study involving 3-10-year-old children.
  • Measurements included skinfold thickness, arm circumference, height, weight, and femur breadth.
  • Calculated Body Mass Index (BMI), sum of skinfolds, and muscle mass; gestation time obtained via questionnaire.

Main Results:

  • Children with shorter gestation exhibited higher body composition measures after 6-8 years of age.
  • Femur breadth and muscle mass were comparable across gestation groups until 6-8 years.
  • Younger children (under 6 years) with longer gestation showed higher BMI and adiposity.

Conclusions:

  • Gestational duration influences early childhood body composition, with varying effects on adiposity and overall growth.
  • Findings underscore the importance of monitoring body mass and adiposity in children, particularly those born prematurely.
  • Preventative strategies against overweight and obesity, alongside parental education, are recommended for premature infants.
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

17.8K
Non-invasive Skeletal Muscle Quantification in Small Animals Using Micro-computed Tomography07:33

Non-invasive Skeletal Muscle Quantification in Small Animals Using Micro-computed Tomography

Published on: November 8, 2024

609

Related Concept Videos

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution01:17

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution

Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight,...
27
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
23
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)...
730
Energy Budgets00:51

Energy Budgets

Organisms must balance energy intake with the energy required for growth, maintenance and reproduction. These trade-offs result in a variety of survivorship and reproductive strategies, including semelparity and iteroparity. Semelparous species, like annual plants, have only one reproductive episode in their lifetimes and consequently have short lifespans. Iteroparous species, by contrast, have many reproductive events during their lifetimes but have relatively few offspring. These two...
9.8K
Body Water Content and Fluid Compartments01:19

Body Water Content and Fluid Compartments

Life's biochemical processes occur within aqueous solutions. Solutes are substances that are dissolved within these solutions. The human body contains a variety of solutes, which can differ across various body parts. These can encompass proteins—such as those responsible for clotting and carbohydrate transport—as well as electrolytes. In medicine, an electrolyte is often described as a mineral ion derived from a salt possessing an electric charge. Examples include sodium ions...
2.7K
Introduction to the Skeletal System01:20

Introduction to the Skeletal System

The skeletal system is the central framework of the body, consisting of different connective tissues: bones, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments.
Components of the Skeletal System
Bone, or osseous tissue, is a hard connective tissue that forms an internal support structure for the human body. Bones shield vulnerable organs and soft tissue from external forces. For example, the vertebral bones protect and support the spinal cord.
Cartilage, a semi-rigid connective tissue found in regions such as...
7.6K