Pubertal height gain is inversely related to peak BMI in childhood.

BACKGROUND

Childhood BMI may influence subsequent growth in height as well as the timing of puberty. The aim of the present study was to investigate associations between BMI in childhood and subsequent height gain/pubertal growth.

METHODS

Longitudinal growth data were used (GrowUpGothenburg cohort, n = 1,901). The QEPS growth-model was used to characterize height gain in relation to the highest BMI value between 3.5 and 8 y of age. Children were defined as overweight/obese (OwOb) or normal weight/underweight (NwUw), using the 2012 International Obesity Task Force criteria.

RESULTS

A negative association between childhood BMI and pubertal height gain was observed. Already at birth, OwOb children were heavier than NwUw children, and had a greater height velocity during childhood. Onset of puberty was 3.5/3.0 mo earlier in OwOb girls/boys, and they had 2.3/3.1 cm less pubertal height gain from the QEPS-models specific P-function than NwUw children. Adult height was not related to childhood BMI.

CONCLUSION

We found that pubertal height gain was inversely related to peak BMI in childhood. Higher childhood BMI was associated with more growth before onset of puberty, earlier puberty, and less pubertal height gain, resulting in similar adult heights for OwOb and NwUw children.