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Anthropometry in adolescence--secular trends, adoption, ethnic and environmental differences
1Department of Pediatrics, Uppsala University Children's Hospital, Sweden.
Hormone Research
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Optimal early growth is crucial for achieving adult height and pubertal timing. Environmental factors significantly influence child development, with catch-up growth having limitations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Human Growth and Development
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Secular trends show increased final height and earlier puberty in developed nations.
- Socio-economic status and environmental factors like nutrition and infections impact growth and maturation.
- Early life growth significantly influences later development and final stature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of early life environmental factors on growth and pubertal development.
- To understand the limitations of catch-up growth in adopted children.
- To identify critical periods for growth optimization.
Main Methods:
- Observational studies on children in various socio-economic conditions.
- Analysis of growth patterns in immigrant and adopted children.
- Review of factors influencing prepubertal and pubertal growth.
Main Results:
- Favorable socio-economic conditions correlate with taller stature and earlier maturation.
- Early stunting can be partially, but not fully, compensated by catch-up growth.
- Early puberty can limit final height, even after catch-up growth.
Conclusions:
- Optimal intra-uterine, infant, and childhood growth are essential for adolescent development.
- Environmental interventions during early life are critical for achieving optimal growth potential.
- Further research is needed on catch-up growth rates and early puberty triggers.