: The aim of this study was to assess whether the time of vitamin D supplementation after birth, season of birth and the type of feeding affected current body weight, body height and BMI among children aged 3-56 months from two cohorts. Additionally, it was analysed whether birth weight and birth length correlated with current BMI, body height and body weight in both cohorts of children. : The study material included 1930 children from the two cohorts, measured in two following periods: 1993-1997 and 2004-2008. Finally 849 healthy individuals aged 3-56 months were included in the analysis. Multiple stepwise regression model was applied to find the group of the most important variables explaining current body weight, body height and BMI. Moreover generalized linear models for two way interactions were used.: The season of birth, time of supplementation of vitamin D, but also birth weight and length might affect current body weight. Individuals' height could be associated with birth length and the season of birth. BMI value was probably regulated by birth length and weight. Furthermore, interactions between the time of vitamin D supplementation and season of birth and also between the time of vitamin D supplementation and type of feeding resulting in variation of body weight and BMI in the first years of life were also observed. : The study underlines the importance of a supplementation of vitamin D, season of birth and birth weight and length in current weight, height and body proportionin the first 3.5 years of life.
Due to increasing problems with obesity and vitamin D deficiency among children, studies that tackle both problems together are needed. Methods: Data were collected from 182 randomly selected children aged 6-13 years in primary schools in central Poland. Measures included anthropometric dimensions, body composition, questionnaires completed by participants' parents, and saliva samples. The level of 25(OH)D was assessed from the saliva samples using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. The children were divided into two groups: pre-pubertal (girls below 10 years and boys below 11 years) and pubertal individuals (girls above 10 years and boys above 11 years). Results: The 25(OH)D concentrations were higher in late spring (June) among pre-pubertal children than in the autumn (November-December) among pubertal children. The level of 25(OH)D was positively correlated with body cell mass (BCM,%) among all children (pubertal: R = 0.20, P = .044; prepubertal: R = 0.23, P = .041) and inversely associated with waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) among pubertal children of both sexes (R =-0.25; P = .031). The stepwise regression analysis revealed that investigation in spring (June) and breastfeeding was associated with increased muscle mass (MM, %) (beta = 0.253, P = .003 and beta = 0.225, P = .005, respectively) and total body water (TBW, %) (beta = 0.276, P = .004 and beta = 0.246, P = .011, respectively) and was associated with decreased body mass index (BMI; beta = −0.222, P = .024 and beta = −0.269, P = .009, respectively) and fat mass (%) (beta = −0.288, P = .003 and beta = −0.266, P = .005, respectively). Conclusions: Season of salivary sampling and breastfeeding status were more strongly associated with body components, BMI and WHR, than 25(OH)D concentrations.
Background
Cortisol is a steroid hormone acting as a stress hormone, which is crucial in regulating homeostasis. Previous studies have linked cortisol concentration to body mass and body composition.
Methods
The investigations were carried out in 2016–2017. A total of 176 children aged 6–13 years in primary schools in central Poland were investigated. Three types of measurements were performed: anthropometric (body weight and height, waist and hip circumferences), body composition (fat mass FM (%), muscle mass – MM (%), body cellular mass - BCM (%), total body water - TBW (%)), and cortisol concentration using saliva of the investigated individuals. Information about standard of living, type of feeding after birth, parental education and maternal trauma during pregnancy was obtained with questionnaires.
Results
The results of regression models after removing the environmental factors (parental education, standard of living, type of feeding after birth, and maternal trauma during pregnancy) indicate a statistically significant association between the cortisol concentration and fat mass and muscle mass. The cortisol concentration was negatively associated with FM (%) (Beta=-0.171; p = 0.026), explaining 2.32 % of the fat mass variability and positively associated with MM (%) (Beta = 0.192; p = 0.012) explaining 3.09 % of the muscle mass variability.
Conclusions
Cortisol concentration affects fat and muscle mass among Polish children.
Trial registration
The Ethical Commission at the University of Lodz (nr 19/KBBN-UŁ/II/2016).
The association between second to fourth finger ratio and thyroid diseases is unexplained. There is a possible interaction between prenatal exposition to sex hormone and thyroid functions in the adulthood. The study included 175 adults investigated in Łódź in the central Poland. It consisted of two main parts: a survey including questions about occurrence of thyroid gland dysfunction and anthropometric measurements (body mass and height and length of the second and fourth finger, waist and hip circumferences). The women who had thyroid disease had higher 2D:4D digit ratio (left hand) (mean = 1.004; SD = 0.036) than healthy ones (mean = 0.989; SD = 0.030) (t = − 2105; p = 0.038; d = 0.707). The association between thyroid diseases occurrence and prenatal steroid hormone exposition is noticed. Only females who had thyroid diseases tend to have higher 2D:4D digit ratio, for left hand.
Objectives
The aim of this paper was to provide evidence for the impact of prenatal sex steroid exposure on prenatal and postnatal body size parameters, and muscle strength in children.
Methods
The following anthropometric data were studied in a group of 1148 children (536 boys and 612 girls) aged 6–13 years: the 2D:4D digit ratio, birth weight and length, and birth head and chest circumference. Postnatal parameters (6–13 years) included body weight and height, BMI, waist and hip circumference, WHR, as well as grip strength in both hands. All parameters that required it were adjusted for sex and gestational or chronological age. A general linear model, Pearson’s correlation, t-statistics and Cohen’s Δ were used in statistical analysis.
Results
Among birth size parameters, only birth weight was significantly negatively correlated with the 2D:4D digit ratio in children. Higher (feminized) digit ratios were significantly correlated with postnatal parameters such as body weight, BMI, and waist and hip circumference (positively), as well as hand grip strength–a proxy for muscular strength (negatively).
Conclusion
Problems with maintaining adequate body size parameters and muscle strength may be programmed in fetal life and predicted on the basis of the 2D:4D digit ratio. Body weight at birth and in early ontogenesis are additive correlates of the 2D:4D ratio. The present findings suggest that the 2D:4D digit ratio is related to postnatal phenotypes such as birth weight, overweight, and obesity as well as muscle strength in 6–13-year-old children of both sexes.
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