An integrative approach to studying plasticity in growth disruption and outcomes: A bioarchaeological case study of Napoleonic soldiers

Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate how much variation in adult stature and body mass can be explained by growth disruption among soldiers who served in Napoleon's Grand Army during the Russian Campaign of 1812. Methods Linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH) were recorded as representations of early life growth disruption, while the impact on future growth was assessed using maximum femur length (n = 73) as a proxy for stature and maximum femoral head diameter (n = 25) as a proxy for body mass. LEH frequency, severity, age at first formation, and age at last formation served as explanatory variables in a multiple regression analysis to test the effect of these variables on maximum femur length and maximum femoral head diameter. Results The multiple regression model produced statistically significant results for maximum femur length (F‐statistic = 3.05, df = 5 and 67, P = .02), with some variation in stature (adjusted r2 = 0.13) attributable to variation in growth disruption. The multiple regression model for maximum femoral head diameter was not statistically significant (F‐statistic = 1.87, df = 5 and 19, P = .15). Conclusions We hypothesized stress events during early life growth and development would have significant, negative, and cumulative effects on growth outcomes in adulthood. The results did not support our hypothesis. Instead, some variables and interactions had negative effects on stature, whereas others had positive effects. This is likely due to catch‐up growth, the relationship between acute and chronic stress and growth, resilience, and plasticity in human growth over the life course.

An integrative skeletal and paleogenomic analysis of stature variation suggests relatively reduced health for early European farmers

“…For example, porotic hyperostosis (porous lesions on the cranial vault) and cribra orbitalia (porosity on the orbital roof) reflect a history of bone marrow hypertrophy or hyperplasia resulting from one or more periods of infection, metabolic deficiencies, malnutrition, and/or chronic disease ( 21 – 26 ). Meanwhile, linear enamel hypoplasia (transverse areas of reduced enamel thickness on teeth) occurs in response to similar childhood physiological stressors (e.g., disease, metabolic deficiencies, malnutrition, weaning) that disrupt enamel formation in the developing permanent dentition ( 27 – 30 ). Broadly, these paleopathological indicators of childhood stress tend to be observed at higher rates among individuals from initial farming communities relative to earlier periods, potentially reflecting their overall “poorer” health ( 14 , 31 – 36 ).…”

Evaluating life history trade‐offs through the presence of linear enamel hypoplasia at Pueblo Bonito and Hawikku: A biocultural study of early life stress and survival in the Ancestral Pueblo Southwest

“…Therefore, another factor to consider is the timing of defect formation and its association with mortality risks. Recent research demonstrated how variation in adult stature and body mass relates to the timing and severity of early growth disruptions (LEH) as well biocultural factors, such as height requirements (Holder et al, 2020). Additionally, the microscopic analysis of the LEH has shown that earlier ages‐at‐first‐defect formation are associated with increased risks of mortality as well as an increased likelihood of future defects (Temple, 2014).…”

Increased dental fluctuating asymmetry is associated with active skeletal lesions, but not mortality hazards in the precontact Southwest United States

“…We cannot directly address the role that culture and society played in each person's health outcomes. Nevertheless, we must highlight that the skeleton and, to some extent, the dentition are plastic in their responses to cultural and biological inputs (e.g., Berger et al, 2020; Holder et al, 2020; Kuzawa, 2007).…”