Metabolic, cardiovascular and anthropometric differences between prepubertal girls and boys

Association Between Maternal Thyroid Hormone Concentration with Normal Thyroid Function During Pregnancy and Preschoolers' Glycolipid Metabolism: A Birth Cohort Study

Background: Thyroid hormones (THs) are essential endocrine hormones that play key roles in individual's growth and development. There is limited knowledge about the association between maternal TH concentrations variations with normal thyroid function during pregnancy and offspring's glycolipid metabolism. Methods: A total of 1130 mother-child pairs from the Ma'anshan birth cohort were included in this prospective study. Maternal TH levels and thyroid peroxidase antibodies were measured in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy during the childhood follow-up period. Fasting venous blood was collected from children at 4-6 years of age and glycolipid metabolic indicators were assayed. Analyses were performed using Binary logistic regression models, linear regression models, and Generalized linear regression model. Results: Maternal TH trajectories were fitted via latent category growth models. During the 1st trimester of pregnancy, maternal T3 and free thyroxine (fT4) levels were positively associated with children's blood glucose levels (β = 0.007 [CI 0.028-0.181]; β = 0.022 [CI 0.004-0.040]), whereas high levels of fT4 may be associated with decreased risk of children's hypercholesterolemia (OR = 0.870 [CI 0.768-0.986]). Maternal T4 concentrations during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy were negatively associated with children's cholesterol levels (β = -0.002 [CI -0.003-0.00]). High maternal TH levels were associated with high fasting glucose level and low low-density lipoprotein concentrations in children. Conclusions: Maternal TH dynamic variations may be associated with glycolipid metabolism in preschoolers, even when women do not have clinically diagnosed thyroid disorders. The exact associations between maternal THs in specific trimesters of pregnancy under normal thyroid function conditions and glycolipid metabolism in offspring require further investigation.

Maternal nutrition during mid-pregnancy and children's body composition at 7 years of age in the SELMA study

Optimal nutrition during pregnancy is vital for both maternal and child health. Our objective was to explore if prenatal diet is associated with children's height and body fat. Nutrient intake was assessed through a FFQ from 808 pregnant women and summarised to a nutrition index, 'My Nutrition Index' (MNI). The association with children's height and body fat (bioimpedance) was assessed with linear regression models. Secondary analysis was performed with BMI, trunk fat and skinfolds. Overall, higher MNI score was associated with greater height (β = 0·47; (95 % CI 0·00, 0·94), among both sexes. Among boys, higher MNI was associated with 0·15 higher BMI z-scores, 0·12 body fat z-scores, 0·11 trunk fat z-scores, and larger triceps, and triceps + subscapular skinfolds (β = 0·05 and β = 0·06; on the log2 scale) (P-value < 0·05). Among girls, the opposite associations were found with 0·12 lower trunk fat z-scores, and smaller subscapular and suprailiac skinfolds (β = -0·07 and β = -0·10; on the log2 scale) (P-value < 0·05). For skinfold measures, this would represent a ± 1·0 millimetres difference. Unexpectedly, a prenatal diet in line with recommended nutrient intake was associated with higher measures of body fat for boys and opposite to girls at a pre-pubertal stage of development.

Inter-individual variability in children's physical growth and body composition: Findings of longitudinal ELOS-Pré study

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.

Association between Body Fat and Elevated Blood Pressure among Children and Adolescents Aged 7-17 Years: Using Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) from a Cross-Sectional Study in China

To investigate the associations between body fat percentage (BF%) with childhood blood pressure (BP) levels and elevated BP (EBP) risks, and further examine the validity of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), we conducted a cross-sectional study of 1426 children and adolescents aged 7–17 years in Beijing, 2020. EBP, including elevated systolic BP (ESBP) and elevated diastolic BP (EDBP), was defined based on the age- and sex-specific 90th BP reference values of children and adolescents in China. BF% was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and BIA devices, and was divided into four quartiles. Log-binomial models were applied to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Girls tended to have higher BF% levels than boys (p < 0.05). There was 41.0% of girls who developed EBP. High BF% was associated with increased BP levels with ORs of 0.364 (95%CI = 0.283–0.444) for SBP, 0.112 (95%CI = 0.059–0.165) for DBP, and 1.043 (95%CI = 1.027–1.059) for EBP, while the effects were more pronounced in girls and older-aged children. BIA devices agreed well with BF% assessment obtained by DEXA. High BF% might have negative effects on childhood BP. Convenient measurements of body fat might help to assess childhood obesity and potential risks of hypertension.

Anthropometric and bioimpedance equations for fat and fat-free mass in Chilean children 7-9 years of age

Assessing children's growth adequately is important due to the necessary prevention of adequate body composition, especially at pre-pubertal age. Simpler measurements such as anthropometry or bioimpedance, using equations validated in Caucasian children, have been demonstrated to overestimate or underestimate fat mass percentage (FM%) or fat-free mass (FFM) in Chilean children. In a sample of 424 children (198 boys and 226 girls) of 7-9 years old, the three component (3C) model was assessed, where total body water was determined by 2H dilution and body volume by air displacement plethysmography, in order to design and validate anthropometry and bioimpedance equations. The FM (%) equation specific for Chilean children was validated as (1·743 × BMI z-score) + (0·727 × triceps skinfold) + (0·385 × biceps skinfold) + 15·985, against the 3C model (R2 0·79). The new FFM equation (kg) generated was (log FFM = (0·018 × age) + (0·047 × sex) + (0·006 × weight) + (0·027 × resistance) + 2·071), with an R2 0·93 (female = 1 and male = 2). The Bland-Altman analysis shows a mean difference of 0·27 (sd 3·5) for the FM% in the whole group as well as 0·004 (sd 0·9) kg is the mean difference for the bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) FFM (kg) equation. The new equations for FM (%) and FFM (kg) in Chilean children will provide a simple and valid tool for the assessment of body composition in cohort studies or to assess the impact of nutritional programmes or public policies.

Cardiometabolic Profile of Different Body Composition Phenotypes in Children

CONTEXT

Cardiometabolic profiles of different body composition phenotypes are poorly characterized in young children, where it is well established that high adiposity is unfavorable, but the role of lean mass is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

We hypothesized that higher lean mass attenuates cardiometabolic risk in children with high fat mass.

METHODS

In 6-year-old children (n = 377) from the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) prospective birth cohort, whole-body composition was measured by quantitative magnetic resonance, a novel validated technology. Based on fat mass index (FMI) and lean mass index (LMI), 4 body composition phenotypes were derived: low FMI-low LMI (LF-LL), low FMI-high LMI (LF-HL), high FMI-low LMI (HF-LL), high FMI-high LMI (HF-HL).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Body mass index (BMI) z-score, fasting plasma glucose, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome risk score, fatty liver index, and blood pressure.

RESULTS

Compared with the LF-HL group, children in both high FMI groups had increased BMI z-score (HF-HL: 1.43 units 95% CI [1.11,1.76]; HF-LL: 0.61 units [0.25,0.96]) and metabolic syndrome risk score (HF-HL: 1.64 [0.77,2.50]; HF-LL: 1.28 [0.34,2.21]). The HF-HL group also had increased fatty liver index (1.15 [0.54,1.77]). Girls in HF-HL group had lower fasting plasma glucose (-0.29 mmol/L [-0.55,-0.04]) and diastolic blood pressure (-3.22 mmHg [-6.03,-0.41]) than girls in the HF-LL group. No similar associations were observed in boys.

CONCLUSION

In a multi-ethnic Asian cohort, lean mass seemed to protect against some cardiometabolic risk markers linked with adiposity, but only in girls. The FMI seemed more important than lean mass index in relation to cardiometabolic profiles of young children.

A History of Cow's Milk Allergy Is Associated with Lower Vitamin D Status in Schoolchildren

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Vitamin D insufficiency is common in children. We aimed to evaluate the main determinants of vitamin D status in Finnish school-aged children, including the history of allergic diseases.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study on 171 ten-year-olds where serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels were measured, and data on food consumption and use of vitamin D supplements were collected. The history of allergic diseases was evaluated with a validated questionnaire.

RESULTS

Vitamin D insufficiency (<50 nmol/L) was observed in 16% of the children. In children with a history of cow's milk allergy, the mean 25(OH)D levels were lower than in children without allergy (60.5 ± 12.6 nmol/L vs. 75.5 ± 22.3 nmol/L, p = 0.004). Lack of vitamin D supplementation, female gender, non-Caucasian ethnicity, and a history of milk allergy were associated with lower vitamin D status.

CONCLUSION

The vitamin D status in our study sample of Finnish schoolchildren was sufficient, which suggests that health policy strategies - such as the recommendation of vitamin D supplementation and the fortification of food products with vitamin D - have been successful in improving vitamin D status in children. Special concern should be given to children with a history of milk allergy to ensure their vitamin D sufficiency.

Birth weight, physical growth and body composition in children: A longitudinal study

ABSTRACT Objective To describe children’s physical growth (body mass and height) velocity and body composition (fat percentage and Fat Free Mass); to investigate the magnitude of interindividual differences according to age, gender and birth weight categories, as well as to examine the differences in the average trajectories of children with Low Birth Weight and Normal Weight according to international references. Methods The sample consisted of 534 children (279 boys and 255 girls, 7 to 10 years old) evaluated in the first year of study and followed for 3 years with overlap between the ages of 7 and 9 years. Physical growth and body composition measurements included: height, body mass, fat percentage (%Fat) and Fat Free Mass. Multilevel Modelling was used. Results Birth weight was not associated with physical growth and body composition markers at 7 years old or with the velocity of their changes (p>0.05). There were significant interindividual differences in the trajectories of physical growth (height and body mass; p<0.001) and body composition (%Fat and Fat Free Mass; p<0.001). In plotting on international percentile charts, the trajectories of growth and body composition were within expected values for age and gender, regardless of birth weight. Conclusion There are significant differences in the dynamics of stature growth, body mass and Fat Free Mass, and Low Birth Weight has no influence on this trajectory. In addition, values are within the expected range for age and sex.

Associations between birth weight, obesity, fat mass and lean mass in Korean adolescents: the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

OBJECTIVE

Previous studies on the relationship between birth weight and obesity in adolescents have mostly been conducted within Western populations and have yielded inconsistent results. We aimed to investigate the association between birth weight, obesity, fat mass and lean mass in Korean adolescents using the fifth Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (KNHANES V).

METHODS

The study population consisted of a total of 1304 (693 men and 611 women) participants aged between 12 and 18 years. Adjusted ORs and 95% CIs were calculated by multivariable logistic regression analyses to determine the association between birth weight and being overweight or obese. Furthermore, adjusted mean values for body mass index (BMI), fat mass index (FMI) and lean mass index (LMI) according to birth weight were calculated by multiple linear regression analyses.

RESULTS

Individuals within the highest 25th percentile in birth weight were more likely to be overweight (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.75, 95% CI 1.11 to 2.76) compared with adolescents within the 25th and 75th percentile in birth weight. Female adolescents who were in the highest 25th percentile in birth weight were more likely to be obese (aOR 2.13, 95% CI 1.03 to 4.41) compared with those within the 25th and 75th percentile in birth weight. Increasing FMI, but not LMI was associated with increasing birth weight (P for trend: 0.03). This tendency remained only in female population in sex-stratified analysis (P for trend: 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

High birth weight may lead to obesity and increased fat mass, but not lean mass. Adolescents born with high birth weight may benefit from close weight monitoring and early intervention against obesity.

Early maternal separation induces preference for sucrose and aspartame associated with increased blood glucose and hyperactivity

Early life stress and exposure to sweeteners lead to physiological and behavioral alterations in adulthood. Nevertheless, many genetic and environmental factors as well as the neurobiological mechanisms that contribute to the development of these disorders are not fully understood. Similarly, evidence about the long-term metabolic effects of exposure to sweeteners in early life is limited and inconsistent. This study used an animal model of maternal separation during breastfeeding (MS) to analyze the effects of early life stress on consumption of sweeteners, weight gain, blood glucose and locomotion. Rats were housed under a reversed light/dark cycle (lights off at 7:00 h) with ad libitum access to water and food. In the MS protocol, MS pups were separated from the dam for 6 h per day in two periods of 180 minutes (7:00-10:00 and 13:00-16:00 h) during the dark phase of postnatal day (PND) 1 to PND 21. Non-separated (NS) pups served as controls. On PND 22 rats were grouped by sex and treatment. From PND 26 to PND 50 sucrose and aspartame were provided to rats, and sweetener intake, body weight and blood glucose-related measures were scored. On PND 50, both male and female rats were exposed to the open field test to obtain locomotion and anxiety-related measures. Results showed that both early maternal separation and sweetener intake during adolescence resulted in increased blood glucose and hyperactivity in male rats but not in female rats. Data suggest that the combination of early stress and exposure to sucrose and aspartame could be a risk factor for the development of chronic diseases such as diabetes, as well as for behavioral alterations.

Heritability of serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate levels and pubertal development in 6∼18-year-old girls: a twin study

BACKGROUND

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), the most plentiful circulating adrenal hormone, may be considered as a marker of the onset of adrenarche and is involved in pubertal development and metabolic disorders.

AIM

The objective of this study is to determine the genetic and environmental influences on the variation of basal DHEAS levels and pubertal development in pubertal girls.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Three hundred and sixty twin girls aged 6-18-years were enrolled, consisting of 132 monozygotic pairs and 48 dizygotic pairs. Anthropometric and sexual characteristics were examined. Serum DHEAS was measured by RIA. Estimates of genetic and environmental components of variance were based on the theory of normal maximum likelihood in Mx package.

RESULTS

Serum DHEAS concentrations of PH-II and PH-III were significantly higher than Tanner stage PH-I (p < .05) and maintained higher levels in PH-IV ∼ V. Heritability of serum DHEAS estimated by model-fitting on data from 180-pairs of twins is 0.61 (0.52-0.70), the rest of the variance in DHEAS levels could be explained by unique environmental influences and age. The heritabilities of DHEAS in two pubertal sub-groups (PH-I and PH-II-V) are 0.82 (0.71-0.90) and 0.63 (0.52-0.74), respectively. The heritability index of menarche, breast development and pube development are 0.71, 0.35 and 0.45, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum DHEAS concentrations of pubertal girls are mainly influenced by genetic factors, especially during the period of adrenarche. The results stress the importance of research into the genetic regulation of the endocrine regulators involved in adrenarche and related metabolic disorders in girls.

Association between weight at birth and body composition in childhood: A Brazilian cohort study

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Previous studies have shown that the association between birth weight and obesity later in life apparently follows a U-shaped curve. However, due to the continuous increase of mean birth weight in several countries worldwide, it is expected that higher birth weight will play a more important role as a risk factor for further obesity than low birth weight. This study investigated the association between birth weight and body composition of children in order to establish their relationship in an earlier period of life.

STUDY DESIGN AND SUBJECTS

Prospective cohort study carried out from 1997 to 2006 in Jundiai city, Brazil, involving 486 children at birth and from 5 to 8 years of age. The following anthropometric measurements were determined: birth weight, weight, height, waist circumference and triceps skinfold thickness. Fat mass percentage, fat mass and fat-free mass were measured by electrical bioimpedance analysis by the 310 Body Composition Analyzer, Biodynamics(®). Five multiple linear regression models were developed considering waist circumference, triceps skinfold thickness, fat mass percentage, fat mass and fat-free mass as markers of body composition, and outcomes.

RESULTS

Significant positive associations were observed between birth weight and waist circumference (p<0.001), triceps skinfold thickness (p=0.006), fat mass (p=0.007) and fat-free mass (p<0.001). Approximately 10% of the children presented excess body fat assessed by bioimpedance, and 27.6% of them had central adiposity (waist circumference ≥95th percentile).

CONCLUSIONS

Intrauterine growth, assessed by weight at birth, was positively associated with body composition of children aged 5-8 years, indicating that those with the highest birth weight are more at risk for obesity, and probably to chronic diseases in adulthood.

Importance of android/gynoid fat ratio in predicting metabolic and cardiovascular disease risk in normal weight as well as overweight and obese children

Numerous studies have shown that android or truncal obesity is associated with a risk for metabolic and cardiovascular disease, yet there is evidence that gynoid fat distribution may be protective. However, these studies have focused on adults and obese children. The purpose of our study was to determine if the android/gynoid fat ratio is positively correlated with insulin resistance, HOMA2-IR, and dislipidemia in a child sample of varying body sizes. In 7-13-year-old children with BMI percentiles ranging from 0.1 to 99.6, the android/gynoid ratio was closely associated with insulin resistance and combined LDL + VLDL-cholesterol. When separated by sex, it became clear that these relationships were stronger in boys than in girls. Subjects were stratified into BMI percentile based tertiles. For boys, the android/gynoid ratio was significantly related to insulin resistance regardless of BMI tertile with and LDL + VLDL in tertiles 1 and 3. For girls, only LDL + VLDL showed any significance with android/gynoid ratio and only in tertile 2. We conclude that the android/gynoid fat ratio is closely associated with insulin resistance and LDL + VLDL-, "bad," cholesterol in normal weight boys and may provide a measurement of metabolic and cardiovascular disease risk in that population.