Pediatric Highlight
International Journal of Obesity (2006) 30, 14–22. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0803156
The impact of childhood body mass index on timing of puberty, adult stature and obesity: a follow-up study based on adolescent anthropometry recorded at Christ's Hospital (1936–1964)
J Sandhu1, Y Ben-Shlomo1, T J Cole2, J Holly3 and G Davey Smith1
- 1Department of Social Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- 2Centre for Paediatric Epidemiology and Biostatistics, The Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- 3Clinical Science at South Bristol, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
Correspondence: Dr J Sandhu, Department of Social Medicine, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 2PR, UK. E-mail: jat.sandhu@bristol.ac.uk
Received 28 November 2004; Revised 22 August 2005; Accepted 29 August 2005.
Abstract
Objective:
To examine the impact of childhood body mass index (BMI) on timing of puberty, adult stature and obesity.
Design:
A retrospective school-based cohort follow-up study.
Subjects:
A total of 1520 men born between 1927 and 1956 with serial height and weight measurements from the age of 9 to 18, followed up in adulthood at a mean age of 63 years.
Measurements:
Prepubertal (child) BMI; age at peak height velocity (APHV); adult leg length, waist and hip circumference (self-reported), and height and weight (measured).
Results:
Boys with a higher childhood BMI tended to have an earlier puberty (per s.d. increase in child BMI: -0.31 years, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.23 to -0.39, P<0.001). Childhood BMI correlated strongly and positively with adult adiposity, as measured by BMI (1.24 kg/m2, 95% CI: 1.04–1.45, P<0.001), waist (1.94 cm, 95% CI: 1.50–2.37, P<0.001) and hip (1.91 cm, 95% CI: 1.55–2.28, P<0.001). It correlated inversely with leg length (-0.40 cm, 95% CI: -0.68 to -0.12, P=0.005), but not significantly with height or trunk length. Boys with a later puberty tended to be taller (per s.d. increase in APHV: 0.57 cm, 95% CI: 0.17–0.97, P=0.006) and less adipose as adults (-0.55 kg/m2, 95% CI: -0.33 to -0.77, P<0.001).
Conclusion:
The long-term consequences of childhood obesity into adulthood are well known, but the potential impact on early pubertal maturation is less well appreciated. The factors that contribute to the onset and persistence of childhood obesity require more public health focus.
Keywords:
longitudinal, age at peak height velocity, puberty, height, body mass index
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