Inter‐individual variability in children's physical growth and body composition: Findings of longitudinal ELOS‐Pré study. Issue 5 (10th November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: de Jesus Sousa Lima, Teresinha; dos Prazeres, Thaliane Mayara Pessôa; dos Santos Henrique, Rafael; da Rocha Queiroz, Daniel; Bezerra, Jorge; de Barros, Mauro Virgílio Gomes; dos Santos, Marcos André Moura
• Is Part Of: American journal of human biology. Volume 34:Issue 5(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-11-10
• Subjects: Human biology -- Periodicals; Physical anthropology -- Periodicals; Biologie humaine -- Périodiques; Anthropologie physique -- Périodiques; 612
• DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23697
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1042-0533

Abstract

Abstract: 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.