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Stunting in infancy, pubertal trajectories and adult body composition: the Birth to Twenty Plus cohort, South Africa

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Chidumwa, Glory 
Said-Mohamed, Rihlat  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1592-5412
Nyati, Lukhanyo H. 
Mpondo, Feziwe 
Chikowore, Tinashe 

Abstract

Abstract: Background/objectives: Childhood rapid growth and earlier puberty onset have been associated with adult obesity. However, the association between childhood stunting, pubertal timing and adult obesity is unclear. We examined whether the relationship between stunting at age 2 years (y) and body composition at 23 years is mediated by adolescent body mass index, and pubertal development, using the Birth-to-Twenty Plus cohort (South Africa). Subjects/methods: For 1036 participants, data on anthropometrics between birth and 23 years, maternal factors, and pubertal development (Tanner scale at 9–16 years) were collected. Stunting at 2 years (height-for-age z-score < −2), 5–18 years BMI-for-age trajectories, pubertal development trajectories, and DXA-derived fat mass (FM) and fat free mass (FFM) at 23 years were determined. Data were analysed using hierarchical regressions and structural equation models. Results: Stunting was directly associated with slower pubertal development and with shorter adult stature, but was not associated with adolescent BMI trajectories, adult FM or FFM. However, stunting was indirectly associated with adult FM and FFM through the direct associations between slower pubertal development and lower FM and between shorter height and lower FFM. BMI trajectories were independently associated with FM and FFM. Conclusions: Being stunted in this population predicted adult body composition through slower pubertal development and shorter adult stature.

Description

Keywords

Article, /692/308/174, /692/700/1720, article

Journal Title

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0954-3007
1476-5640

Volume Title

75

Publisher

Nature Publishing Group UK
Sponsorship
Wellcome Trust (Wellcome) (214205/Z/18/Z)