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Inter-individual variability in children's physical growth and body composition: Findings of longitudinal ELOS-Pré
Teresinha de Jesus Sousa Lima1, Thaliane Mayara Pessôa Dos Prazeres1, Rafael Dos Santos Henrique2
1School of Physical Education, University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
Insights
Birth weight and delivery method significantly impact children's physical growth and body composition between ages 5 and 9. These factors influence height, body mass, and fat percentage trajectories over time.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric growth and development
- Human body composition analysis
- Longitudinal study design
Background:
- Children's physical growth (PG) and body composition (BC) are influenced by birth weight and delivery mode.
- Understanding these influences is crucial for monitoring child development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To longitudinally analyze the dynamics of physical growth and body composition in children aged 5 to 9 years.
- To investigate inter-individual differences in growth trajectories based on age, sex, birth weight, and delivery type.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 1236 children (597 boys) was followed annually from age 5 to 9.
- Physical growth and body composition measurements were collected and analyzed using multilevel modeling.
Main Results:
- Significant annual growth increments were observed (p < .001).
- Girls exhibited lower height and fat-free mass but higher body fat percentage (p < .001).
- Low-birth-weight children showed reduced height, body mass, and fat-free mass (p < .001). Children born via C-section had lower height, body mass, and body fat percentage compared to vaginally born children (p < .05).
Conclusions:
- Physical growth and body composition dynamics differ significantly between 5 and 9 years of age.
- Birth weight and delivery mode are key determinants influencing these growth dynamics during this critical developmental period.
Background:
Children's physical growth (PG) and body composition (BC) can be influenced by birth weight and type of delivery.
Aim:
To longitudinally analyze the dynamics of PG and BC of children from 5 to 9 years; to investigate the inter-individual differences according to age, sex, BW, and type of delivery across the following years of the study.
Subjects And Methods:
A total of 1236 children (597 boys) were evaluated at 5-years of age and followed annually until 9-years. PG and BC measurements were evaluated. Multilevel modeling was used.
Results:
Annual increments were observed (p < .001). Girls presented lower height and fat-free-mass but higher %BF (p < .001). Distinct trajectories between the sexes were observed for height (p < .001). Low-birth-weight children presented lower height, body mass, and fat-free-mass (p < .001), but the interaction between velocity of growth and BC was significant only in height (p < .05). Children born by had lower height, body mass, and %BF, and gained less body mass per year than those born by vaginal delivery (p < .05). Significant inter-individual differences were observed at 5-years of age and in their trajectories, except for fat-free-mass (p < .01).
Conclusion:
There are differences in the dynamics of PG and BC, low-birth-weight and type of delivery influence the dynamics of PG during this interval of ages.
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