Maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index, smoking in pregnancy, and alcohol intake in pregnancy in relation to pubertal timing in the children

Abstract Background Earlier pubertal timing has been observed in many countries. We aimed to explore if prenatal exposure to maternal obesity, smoking, and alcohol intake was associated with timing of puberty by use of a novel marker of pubertal timing: ‘the height difference in standard deviations’ (HD:SDS). Methods HD:SDS is the difference between pubertal height in standard deviations and adult height in standard deviations, and it correlates well with age at peak height velocity. Pubertal height was measured by health care professionals at approximately 13 years in boys and 11 years in girls, and the children’s adult height was predicted from parental height reported by the mothers during pregnancy. Information on HD:SDS was available for 42,849 of 56,641 eligible boys and girls from the Danish National Birth Cohort born 2000–2003. In a subsample, HD:SDS was validated against age at the following self-reported pubertal milestones: Tanner stages, menarche, first ejaculation, voice break, acne, and axillary hair. Prenatal exposures were reported by mothers during pregnancy. Results HD:SDS correlated moderately with the pubertal milestones considered (correlation coefficients: − 0.20 to − 0.53). With normal weight (body mass index (BMI): 18.5–24.9 kg/m2) as the reference, maternal pre-pregnancy obesity (BMI: 30.0+ kg/m2) was associated with earlier pubertal timing: 0.23 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.18, 0.28) higher HD:SDS in boys and 0.19 (95% CI, 0.14, 0.24) higher HD:SDS in girls. Maternal smoking was not associated with pubertal timing. Compared to alcohol abstainers, maternal intake of > 3 units of alcohol weekly was associated with later puberty in boys only: 0.14 (95% CI, 0.05, 0.24) lower HD:SDS. Conclusion As correlations between HD:SDS and the considered pubertal milestones were comparable to those reported in the literature between age a peak height velocity and the considered pubertal milestones, the validity of HD:SDS seems acceptable. Maternal pre-pregnancy obesity was associated with earlier pubertal timing in both sexes, and maternal alcohol intake during pregnancy was associated with later pubertal timing in boys. Maternal smoking has been linked to earlier timing of puberty, but this was not replicated in our setting using HD:SDS as a marker of pubertal timing.

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Growth in achondroplasia, from birth to adulthood, analysed by the JPA-2 model

Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism ◽

10.1515/jpem-2020-0298 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 33 (12) ◽

pp. 1589-1595

Author(s):

Mariana del Pino ◽

Virginia Fano ◽

Paula Adamo

Keyword(s):

General Population ◽

Growth Curve ◽

Growth Velocity ◽

Adult Height ◽

Growth Curves ◽

Peak Height ◽

Height Growth ◽

Individual Growth ◽

Height Velocity ◽

Peak Height Velocity

AbstractObjectivesIn general population, there are three phases in the human growth curve: infancy, childhood and puberty, with different main factors involved in their regulation and mathematical models to fit them. Achondroplasia children experience a fast decreasing growth during infancy and an “adolescent growth spurt”; however, there are no longitudinal studies that cover the analysis of the whole post-natal growth. Here we analyse the whole growth curve from infancy to adulthood applying the JPA-2 mathematical model.MethodsTwenty-seven patients, 17 girls and 10 boys with achondroplasia, who reached adult size, were included. Height growth data was collected from birth until adulthood. Individual growth curves were estimated by fitting the JPA-2 model to each individual’s height for age data.ResultsHeight growth velocity curves show that after a period of fast decreasing growth velocity since birth, with a mean of 9.7 cm/year at 1 year old, the growth velocity is stable in late preschool years, with a mean of 4.2 cm/year. In boys, age and peak height velocity in puberty were 13.75 years and 5.08 cm/year and reach a mean adult height of 130.52 cm. In girls, the age and peak height velocity in puberty were 11.1 years and 4.32 cm/year and reach a mean adult height of 119.2 cm.ConclusionsThe study of individual growth curves in achondroplasia children by the JPA-2 model shows the three periods, infancy, childhood and puberty, with a similar shape but lesser in magnitude than general population.

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Revisiting the critical weight hypothesis for regulation of pubertal timing in boys

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition ◽

10.1093/ajcn/nqaa304 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 113 (1) ◽

pp. 123-128

Author(s):

Maria Bygdell ◽

Jenny M Kindblom ◽

John-Olov Jansson ◽

Claes Ohlsson

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Pubertal Timing ◽

Objective Measure ◽

Peak Height ◽

Height Velocity ◽

Inverse Association ◽

Peak Height Velocity ◽

Critical Weight ◽

Weight Sensing ◽

Recent Cohort

ABSTRACT Background Recent findings indicate that there is a body weight–sensing homeostatic regulation of body weight in postpubertal rodents and humans. It is possible that body weight sensing also might be involved in the regulation of pubertal timing. Although an early small study suggested that there is a critical body weight for pubertal timing in girls, most studies have focused on BMI and reported an inverse association between BMI and pubertal timing. Objectives In the present longitudinal well-powered cohort study, we revisited the critical weight hypothesis and tested if prepubertal body weight is a more robust inverse predictor of pubertal timing than prepubertal BMI in boys. Method We included men born during 1945–1961 (old cohort; n = 31,971) and men born during 1981–1996 (recent cohort; n = 1465) in the large BMI Epidemiology Study (BEST) Gothenburg (combined BEST cohort n = 33,436). Men with information on prepubertal body weight and BMI at 8 y of age and age at peak height velocity (PHV; an objective measure of pubertal timing) were included. Results Body weight explained more of the variance in age at PHV than BMI in both the old cohort and the recent cohort (combined cohort, body weight 6.3%, BMI 3.6%). Both body weight (β: −0.24 SD/SD increase in weight; 95% CI: −0.25, −0.23) and BMI (β: −0.18 SD/SD increase in BMI, 95% CI: −0.19, −0.17) were inversely associated with age at PHV but the association for body weight was significantly more pronounced than the association for BMI (P < 0.001). Conclusions In conclusion, prepubertal body weight is a more robust inverse predictor of pubertal timing than prepubertal BMI in boys. We propose that body weight sensing constitutes a feedback mechanism to regulate pubertal timing.

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Growth and Normal Puberty

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.102.s3.507 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 102 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 507-511 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Val Abbassi

Keyword(s):

Adult Height ◽

Average Rate ◽

Final Height ◽

Peak Height ◽

Height Velocity ◽

Peak Height Velocity ◽

Pubertal Stage ◽

Pubertal Growth ◽

Velocity Peak ◽

The Mean

We reviewed the growth characteristics of American boys and girls from published studies, including age at takeoff, age at peak height velocity, peak height velocity, duration of puberty, and the magnitude of the pubertal contribution to adult height. Age at takeoff is highly variable and sex-dependent. The mean takeoff age in children growing at an average rate is ∼11 years in boys and 9 years in girls, and peak height velocity occurs at a mean age of 13.5 years and 11.5 years, respectively, in these children. Whole-year peak height velocity is 9.5 cm/y in boys and 8.3 cm/y in girls, with slight variations in the different studies. The contribution of pubertal growth to final height is ∼30 to 31 cm in boys, accounting for 17% to 18% of the final height, and 27.5 to 29 cm in girls, accounting for 17% of the final height. The magnitude of pubertal growth has a negative correlation with age at takeoff, but no correlation with final height. Age at takeoff, however, correlates highly with pubertal stage, but correlates negatively with duration of puberty.

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Growth and Maturity Status of Female Soccer Players: A Narrative Review

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18041448 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 1448 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Robert M. Malina ◽

Diogo V. Martinho ◽

João Valente-dos-Santos ◽

Manuel J. Coelho-e-Silva ◽

Sławomir M. Kozieł

Keyword(s):

Adult Height ◽

Reference Data ◽

Peak Velocity ◽

Peak Height ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Height Velocity ◽

Age At Menarche ◽

Time Interval ◽

Peak Height Velocity ◽

Selection Of

Reported mean ages, heights and weights of female soccer players aged <19 years in 161 studies spanning the years 1992–2020 were extracted from the literature or calculated from data available to the authors; 35 studies spanning the years 1981–2020 also included an indicator of biological maturation. Heights and weights were plotted relative to U.S. reference data. Preece–Baines Model 1 was fitted to moving averages to estimate ages at peak velocity. Maturity indicators included skeletal age, pubertal status, age at menarche, percentage of predicted adult height and predicted maturity offset. Heights and weights showed negligible secular variation across the time interval. Heights were slightly above or approximated the reference medians through 14 years old and then varied between the medians and 75th percentiles through 18 years old. Weights were above the reference medians from 9 to 18 years old. Mean ages at menarche ranged from 12.7 to 13.0 years. The trend in heights and weights suggested the persistence and/or selection of taller and heavier players during adolescence, while estimated age at peak height velocity (PHV) and ages at menarche were within the range of mean ages in European and North American samples. Data for skeletal and sexual maturity status were limited; predicted maturity offset increased linearly with mean ages and heights at prediction.

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Association Between Paternal Separation During Early Childhood and Pubertal Timing Among Girls Using Longitudinal Birth Cohort in Japan

Frontiers in Endocrinology ◽

10.3389/fendo.2021.766728 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Aomi Katagiri ◽

Nobutoshi Nawa ◽

Takeo Fujiwara

Keyword(s):

Early Childhood ◽

Confidence Interval ◽

Pubertal Timing ◽

Pubertal Development ◽

Divorce Rate ◽

Peak Height ◽

Longitudinal Survey ◽

Height Velocity ◽

Peak Height Velocity ◽

Paternal Absence

IntroductionPrevious studies have shown that paternal absence leads to earlier pubertal timing among girls in high-income countries. Despite the low divorce rate in Japan, paternal separation is commonly seen due to a unique corporation system, tanshin funin, where employees relocate with their spouses and children. We examined paternal separation, including paternal absence (due to divorce or paternal death) and paternal tanshin funin, during early childhood as a predictor of earlier girl’s pubertal development, assessed as age at peak height velocity (PHV).MethodsThis study examined 15 214 girls from a longitudinal survey conducted in Japan from 2001 to 2016 by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Paternal separation was determined by the occurrence through annual surveys conducted at ages 0.5 to 4.5 years. Outcome was defined as age at PHV between ages 6 to 15 years. We conducted linear regression, adjusted for potential confounders and other covariates.ResultsContinuous father cohabitation was seen in 88.7% of households, while paternal separation was experienced 1-2, 3-4 and 5 times (always) among 7.4%, 2.8% and 1.1% of households, respectively. Girls who confronted continuous paternal separation (5 times) experienced 0.42 years earlier [95% confidence interval (CI): -0.75, -0.10] age at PHV compared to their peers who always lived with their fathers.ConclusionGirls who experienced paternal separation throughout ages 0.5 to 4.5 years experienced PHV earlier.

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Prepubertal Glucocorticoid Status and Pubertal Timing

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism ◽

10.1210/jc.2010-2935 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 96 (6) ◽

pp. E891-E898 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Lijie Shi ◽

Stefan A. Wudy ◽

Anette E. Buyken ◽

Christiane Maser-Gluth ◽

Michaela F. Hartmann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pubertal Timing ◽

Tanner Stage ◽

Peak Height ◽

Pubic Hair ◽

Height Velocity ◽

Growth Spurt ◽

Pubertal Growth Spurt ◽

Peak Height Velocity ◽

Adrenal Androgen ◽

Pubertal Growth

Context: Whether prepubertal glucocorticoid status impacts on the timing of puberty is not clear. Objective: The objective of the study was to examine the relationship between prepubertal glucocorticoid status and early or late pubertal markers, independent of adrenarchal and nutritional status. Design and Participants: Prospective cohort study of healthy Caucasian children (n = 111, 56 boys) who provided both 24-h urine samples and weighed dietary records 1 and 2 yr before the start of pubertal growth spurt [age at take-off (ATO)]. Measurements: Major urinary glucocorticoid and androgen metabolites determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis were summed to assess daily overall cortisol (ΣC21) and adrenal androgen secretion; urinary free cortisol and cortisone measured by RIA were summed (UFF+UFE) as an indicator of potentially bioactive free glucocorticoids. Main Outcomes: The main outcomes included ATO, age at peak height velocity, age at menarche/voice break, ages at Tanner stage 2 for breast (girls) and genital (boys) development, and pubic hair. Results: In girls ΣC21, but not UFF+UFE, was associated with pubertal markers after adjusting for overall adrenal androgen, urinary nitrogen, and body fat. Girls with higher ΣC21 (fourth quartile) reached ATO 0.7 yr (P = 0.01) and menarche 0.9 yr later (P = 0.006) than girls with lower ΣC21 (first quartile). The ΣC21 tended to be also positively associated with age at Tanner stage 2 for breast (P = 0.1), Tanner stage 2 for pubic hair (P = 0.1), and age at peak height velocity (P = 0.06). In boys, neither the ΣC21 nor UFF+UFE was related to pubertal timing. Conclusion: An individually higher prepubertal glucocorticoid secretion level, even in physiological range, appears to delay early and late pubertal timing of healthy girls, particularly their onset of pubertal growth spurt and menarche.

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Using SITAR (SuperImposition by Translation and Rotation) to estimate age at peak height velocity in Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children

Wellcome Open Research ◽

10.12688/wellcomeopenres.14708.1 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 3 ◽

pp. 90 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Monika Frysz ◽

Laura D. Howe ◽

Jonathan H. Tobias ◽

Lavinia Paternoster

Keyword(s):

Longitudinal Study ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Pubertal Timing ◽

Peak Height ◽

Height Velocity ◽

Growth Spurt ◽

Peak Height Velocity ◽

Parents And Children ◽

The Impact ◽

Avon Longitudinal Study

Puberty is a time of substantial biological and psychological changes. One of the hallmarks of puberty is a rapid growth spurt, however its timing varies between individuals. The impact of pubertal timing on later health outcomes has been of interest in life course epidemiology, however its measurement can be challenging. Age at peak height velocity (aPHV) offers an objective measure of pubertal timing without having to rely on physical examination or self-report. We describe the derivation of aPHV estimates in Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) offspring, using Superimposition by Translation And Rotation (SITAR) mixed effects growth curve analysis. ALSPAC is a rich source of phenotypic and genotypic data and given the importance of pubertal timing for later health outcomes, these data offer an opportunity to explore the determinants and consequences of aPHV.

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Assessment of biological maturation

10.1093/med/9780198757672.003.0001 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Robert M Malina

Keyword(s):

Adult Height ◽

Peak Height ◽

Skeletal Age ◽

Height Velocity ◽

Growth Spurt ◽

Chronological Age ◽

Peak Height Velocity ◽

Growth Status ◽

Non Invasive

The processes of growth and maturation occur concurrently and are related. Chapter 1 discusses indicators of growth status and rate followed by a description of methods for assessment of maturity status and timing. Status refers to the state of maturation at the time of observation. Skeletal age and stages of puberty indicate status. Timing refers to the chronological age at which specific maturational events occur. Ages at peak height velocity (PHV) and at menarche are used most often. Skeletal age is applicable from childhood through adolescence; other indicators of status and timing are limited to the interval of puberty and the growth spurt. Increasingly used non-invasive indicators of maturation include percentage of predicted adult height attained at the time of observation (status) and predicted maturity offset or time before age at PHV (timing). Both have limitations and require further validation.

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Using SITAR (SuperImposition by Translation and Rotation) to estimate age at peak height velocity in Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children

Wellcome Open Research ◽

10.12688/wellcomeopenres.14708.2 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 3 ◽

pp. 90 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Monika Frysz ◽

Laura D. Howe ◽

Jonathan H. Tobias ◽

Lavinia Paternoster

Keyword(s):

Longitudinal Study ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Pubertal Timing ◽

Peak Height ◽

Height Velocity ◽

Growth Spurt ◽

Peak Height Velocity ◽

Parents And Children ◽

The Impact ◽

Avon Longitudinal Study

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Breakfast: A Crucial Meal for Adolescents’ Cognitive Performance According to Their Nutritional Status. The Cogni-Action Project

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13041320 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 1320

Author(s):

Humberto Peña-Jorquera ◽

Valentina Campos-Núñez ◽

Kabir P. Sadarangani ◽

Gerson Ferrari ◽

Carlos Jorquera-Aguilera ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nutritional Status ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Cognitive Demand ◽

Positive Association ◽

Peak Height ◽

The Body ◽

Height Velocity ◽

Peak Height Velocity ◽

High Quality ◽

Action Project

This study aimed to determine whether pupils who have breakfast just before a cognitive demand, do not regularly skip breakfast, and consume a high-quality breakfast present higher cognitive performance than those who do not; furthermore, to establish differences according to their nutritional status. In this study, 1181 Chilean adolescents aged 10–14 years participated. A global cognitive score was computed through eight tasks, and the body mass index z-score (BMIz) was calculated using a growth reference for school-aged adolescents. The characteristics of breakfast were self-reported. Analyses of covariance were performed to determine differences in cognitive performance according to BMIz groups adjusted to sex, peak height velocity, physical fitness global score, and their schools. A positive association was found in adolescents’ cognitive performance when they had breakfast just before cognitive tasks, did not regularly skip breakfast, presented at least two breakfast quality components, and included dairy products. No significant differences were found between breakfast components, including cereal/bread and fruits/fruit juice. Finally, pupils who were overweight/obese who declared that they skipped breakfast regularly presented a lower cognitive performance than their normal-BMIz peers. These findings suggest that adolescents who have breakfast just prior to a cognitive demand and regularly have a high quality breakfast have better cognitive performance than those who do not. Educative nutritional strategies should be prioritized, especially in “breakfast skippers” adolescents living with overweight/obesity.

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