Weight Gain in Infancy and Childhood Were Associated With Pubertal Development in Boys and Girls

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Developmental Biology
• Metabolic Health Research

Background:

• Early puberty onset is linked to increased metabolic risks later in life.
• Understanding factors influencing pubertal timing is crucial for long-term health outcomes.
• Childhood weight gain is a modifiable factor with potential implications for pubertal development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between weight gain during infancy and childhood and the timing and duration of puberty.
• To analyze these associations separately in boys and girls.

Main Methods:

• Utilized longitudinal data from the Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project.
• Employed linear regression analyses to examine weight gain in various infant and childhood age intervals.
• Studied pubertal onset, culmination, and duration in 230 boys and 278 girls.

Main Results:

• In girls, increased weight gain (1 SD) in infancy/childhood correlated with earlier breast development and menarche (approx. 3-4 months earlier).
• In boys, increased weight gain (1 SD) was linked to earlier genital development (Tanner stages) by approx. 2 months.
• Greater weight gain appeared to slightly lengthen puberty duration in girls (1-2 months) but not in boys.

Conclusions:

• Weight gain during infancy and childhood is significantly associated with earlier pubertal timing in both sexes.
• These findings underscore the importance of monitoring early-life weight trajectories for potential long-term health implications.