Human Development Research Articles

Disparities in wellbeing in the USA by race and ethnicity, age, sex, and location, 2008–21: an analysis using the Human Development Index

Disparities in wellbeing in the USA by race and ethnicity, age, sex, and location, 2008–21: an analysis using the Human Development Index

Burden and causes of anemia in Vietnam: insights from the global burden of disease data

BackgroundAnemia is a significant global health issue, impacting 1.92 billion people and ranking as a leading cause of disability. It is marked by low hemoglobin levels, which hinder oxygen delivery to vital organs and result from causes such as nutritional deficiencies and chronic diseases. Despite some progress, anemia remains a major concern in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam. Although the country has reduced its anemia rates, the progress is insufficient to achieve the WHO’s 2030 targets for anemia reduction among women of reproductive age. This study explores anemia trends and socio-economic determinants in Vietnam, with a focus on age and gender differences, to inform targeted interventions and policy development.MethodsThis study used the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors (GBD) dataset to explore the burden of anemia and its causes in Vietnam from 1990 to 2021. The GBD study provides data on anemia prevalence and years lived with disability (YLD) by age, sex, and 37 causes across 204 countries and territories. Further, this study employed a regression model to examine how the anemia burden (i.e., prevalence rate and YLD rate) relates to socio-economic factors such as the Human Development Index (HDI), gender disparities in human development achievement, and gender-based inequalities in reproductive health, empowerment, and economic status in Vietnam over this period.ResultsIn 1990, there were 16.30 million anemia cases in Vietnam, decreasing slightly to 16.05 million by 2021. Male prevalence dropped from 34.90 to 26.58%, while female prevalence increased from 65.10 to 73.42%. Iron deficiency was the main cause, affecting 68.35% of cases in 1990 and 68.84% in 2021, with 24.96% in males and 75.04% in females in 2021. While anemia has decreased among infants, young children, and adolescents due to improved healthcare, it has increased among middle-aged and older adults, especially females. Regression analysis shows that higher human development and gender equality reduce anemia prevalence and disability, whereas gender inequality worsens the issue.ConclusionsThe study underscores that anemia remains a major health concern in Vietnam, marked by significant gender and age disparities. Despite a decrease in overall anemia rates and the effectiveness of specific interventions like iron-folic acid supplementation, females, particularly those of reproductive age and older adults, continue to face higher rates. Socio-economic improvements, including higher income and better human development, are linked to lower anemia rates, though the impact differs by gender. The persistent gender disparity and the shift in burden to older adults highlight the need for more comprehensive, gender-sensitive interventions. Future efforts should integrate nutritional support with broader socio-economic enhancements to effectively address anemia and improve public health in Vietnam.

Talking ourselves up: reframing learning development to reflect our expertise

The way universities frame Learning Development (LD) has profound implications for the field’s pedagogy, status, autonomy and evolution. These variables affect the value that LD releases to staff and students. Framing involves ‘foregrounding certain perspectives and ruling out others’ to characterise a phenomenon (Jones, 2010, p.242). Learning developers’ ‘palpable reluctance’ to advocate for their expertise (Webster, 2022, p.181) contributes to the field often being framed externally. This session guided attendees on how to constructively challenge and redefine the framings at university level, using my doctoral data (Johnson, 2023). It included analysis of framing discourse about LD on UK universities’ websites, of the value of LD to students and staff in one university, and of how the two related. LD can be framed as a combination of skills development, human development and subject-embedded instruction (Hallett, 2010). The university website discourse lacked quantity and detail about the embedded framing, while strongly representing the skills framing. The skills framing correlated with stakeholders perceiving LD as delivering functional (financial) value, while the humanistic framing added social and emotional value. Only the embedded framing encouraged perceptions of LD as adding knowledge – a.k.a. epistemic value (terminology from Sheth et al., 1991, adapted for higher education [HE] by LeBlanc and Nguyen, 1999). I therefore argued LD teams should advocate for a reframing of their work which better calibrates and explains all three discourses. As the stakeholder data illustrated, this enhanced perception increases students’ and staff’s inclination to engage with LD (conditional value), leading to greater value release.

NANOCREDIT FOR EMPOWERING THE UNDERPRIVILEGED: A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Poverty is a universal reality that takes various forms worldwide. It is considered the most detrimental economic and social issue, being the root cause of human rights violations due to its destructive effects on individuals and society. In the modern era, poverty has become a major global issue, hindering economic and human development and leading to deprivation of well-being. Any credit type, micro or nano credit, must be implemented well to help the poor. Recently, there has been an interest in nanocredit. Although there are limited studies on nanocredit, there have been some attempts to review the topic. In contrast to other research, this study adopts a different methodology to thoroughly review the literature on the development of nanocredit to address the innovative and reliable tools that are dependable financial inclusion for the underprivileged. This study is being conducted to comprehensively review and analyse current research on nanocredit. Scopus, Web of Science (WoS), Emerald Insights, and Google Scholar index the reviewed literature from 2000 to 2022 for published article access. Studies have presented that nanocredit is a new paradigm in the lending industry with fewer requirements and bureaucracy. Although it is still lacking in fully complying with Shariah guidelines, nanocredit is a saviour for the poor in improving their quality of life. In simple understanding, nanocredit should be the bridge that connects Islamic finance and Islamic philanthropy.

Transforming people through service-learning. An experience in higher education

service-learning activities are effective in higher education programmes. During the COVID-19 period, universities have implemented this methodology and students have improved their social and practical skills. The purpose of this article is to analyse the role of higher education in the process of adapting teaching based on experiences designed for students to serve the community. This research presents the results of a specific service-learning experience of 35 students from the Teamworking programme during the academic years 2020–21 (online) and 2021–22 (face-to-face), in collaboration with the San Juan de Dios Foundation in Madrid, which provides care for people with disabilities. Students evaluated the experience through a quantitative study based on a questionnaire previously developed by Folgueiras (2013), divided into four dimensions. Students also provided some feedback, explaining that this experience changed their perception of people with disabilities, considering the personal value of contributing to social inclusion through service learning. The results show that through the Folgueiras model, students have strengthened their social skills and competences, and through an applied training project that offers the opportunity to build a real relationship through different activities, where learning was at the centre of the interaction between students and young people with disabilities. In conclusion, although the evaluation was positive in terms of the students’ professional and human development, this project requires continuous improvement in the long term, since the subjectivity of human relationships follows a dynamic course with variables that are sensitive to time and individual experience.

INNOVATION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR KARANGPATIHAN CIPRAT BATIK AS AN EFFORT TO IMPROVE THE LOCAL ECONOMY

The batik industry is an industry that is relied upon in the local market as well as the export market in the textile sector. Likewise, Karangpatihan ciprat batik (splashed motif in batik) is deliberately empowered as a form of local government concern for disabled residents who have limitations. This research aims to analyze the strategy for developing Ponorogo's typical Karangpatihan ciprat batik in order to increase industrial competitiveness batik industry in Ponorogo Regency. The method used in this research is a qualitative approach using the SWOT analysis method and a survey conducted on the Karangpatihan village head and the chairman of Rumah Harapan Mulya as the Karangpatihan Social Welfare Institution. The results of the research analysis conclude that the strategies that can be used are determining market opportunities based on geographic location, demographics and consumer behavior, identifying the target market to be addressed both within and outside the city of Ponorogo by understanding consumer preferences and needs regarding batik, increasing human resource development in order to achieve this. more innovative quality batik products that can increase consumer appeal. Determining sales channels by considering the place and method to be used. Then determine competitive prices by adjusting product quality and competition in the market, protection of rights to regional typical batik products with Intellectual Property Rights, promotional program innovations aimed at introducing batik on the national and international stage to encourage sales and establishing good relationships with consumers and distributors so that it can expand the marketing of batik products.

Climatic and environmental changes since last deglaciation in the steppe region of northern China and their impact on early population survival patterns

The northern Chinese steppe is situated in the periphery of the East Asian Summer Monsoon and exhibits high sensitivity to variations in monsoon intensity and global climate change. Therefore, comprehending the climatic evolution history of this region is pivotal for elucidating early human civilization development. The research focuses on a fully enclosed crater lake located in the northern Chinese steppe by utilizing n-alkanes, total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN) in lake sediments, based on AMS-14C dating analysis, the climatic and environmental evolution history of this region from the last deglaciation to the middle Holocene has been reconstructed, and the impact of climate change on the evolution of early human civilization is elucidated. The findings indicate that the EASM driven by summer solar radiation, exerts control over the climate and hydrology in the steppe region of northern China. Since the last deglaciation, the gradual warming and humidification of the climate environment have significantly enhanced the animal and plant resources, thereby establishing a solid foundation for the transition of early human populations in northern Chinese steppe from high-mobility hunter-gatherers to settled communities. Additionally, this climatic shift has provided an optimal backdrop for the emergence of primitive agriculture. The changes of stone tool assemblages unearthed at related sites also confirm the above views. However, the climate model underwent rapid changes during the period of 7.2–6.4 cal kyr BP, leading to the occurrence of extreme arid climate events. Consequently, regional precipitation decreased, lake ecology became imbalanced, woody plants retreated in the basin, and vegetation coverage was greatly reduced. The aforementioned factor may have played a pivotal role in the disappearance of early populations within the region. Consequently, climate and environmental change not only serve as the primary driving force behind human civilization’s development but also act as an inexorable catalyst for its decline.

Visionary Leadership In Improving The Quality Of Education

This study aims to analyze visionary leadership strategies in improving the quality of education. This research was conducted at Permata Mojokerto Integrated Islamic Junior High School, East Java. This study uses a qualitative research approach. The informants are the Head of Education of YPM, the vice principal, teachers and the committee/parents of students. The results of the study concluded that visionary leadership at SMPIT Permata Mojokerto, East Java is as follows: as a direction determinant by doing several ways, namely: sharing sessions, developing strategies, making changes, enabling and empowering, motivating and inspiring, collaborating and being role models, so that visionary leadership is able to make strategies in improving the quality of education, namely: human resource development, strengthening the role of parents, curriculum development and fulfillment of adequate infrastructure. In the end, visionary leadership produces activities including improving the quality of human resources for educators and education personnel, improving the quality of graduates and effective and varied learning methods, as well as fulfilling adequate infrastructure

Digital Transformation in Operations Management: Leveraging Technology to Improve Business Efficiency

Digital transformation in operations management has become an urgent need for companies to improve efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness in the face of an increasingly complex and competitive business environment. Digital technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and big data provide opportunities for companies to optimize various aspects of operations. This article aims to explore how digital transformation can be applied in operations management to support these goals. The research method used is a literature review, where various previous studies and industry reports are analyzed to identify the benefits, challenges, and impacts of digital technology implementation on business operations. The results show that the implementation of digital technology enables companies to speed up workflows, reduce costs, improve process accuracy, and prepare the foundation for continuous innovation. In the discussion, it is also explained that although there are challenges in terms of investment costs, training, and data security, companies that successfully overcome these barriers will gain a significant competitive advantage. The implications of these findings are the importance of continued investment in technology and human capital development, as well as the adoption of sustainability strategies to support long-term growth.

Strategic Development Planning for Global Integration: A Comprehensive Framework for State Universities in the Philippines

This study develops a comprehensive strategic development plan for a state university in the Philippines, aligning its vision, mission, and goals with current trends, internal and external factors, and global objectives. Utilizing a qualitative research design, the study integrates environmental analysis tools such as SWOT and PESTLE, alongside an extensive stakeholder consultation process involving students, faculty, alumni, non-academic personnel, industry representatives, community partners, and government agencies. The inclusion of stakeholder perspectives was crucial in refining the strategic goals and ensuring that the plan addresses the diverse needs of the university community. The resulting strategic framework emphasizes key themes such as globalization, digital transformation, equity and inclusion, human capital development, research and innovation, and sustainability. This study highlights the importance of a participatory and adaptive approach to strategic planning in higher education, providing a model for institutions seeking to navigate the complexities of the global educational landscape.

Innovation intermediaries and key-capability development: evidence from organisations in two Philippine agri-food business industries

ABSTRACT Innovation intermediaries can help boost and hasten the diffusion and adoption of technologies and practices in agri-food businesses, leading to better livelihoods, communities, and ecosystems. However, these organisations require several key-capabilities to ensure that their role performance leads to better innovation success for their stakeholders. This study employs a multiple case study approach to understand the key-capability building process and focuses on 18 innovation intermediaries in the rice and mango industries of the Philippines. The researcher finds that knowledge-building and management capabilities are essential and foundational across different organisation types. However, differences between organisations are seen in their networking-based capabilities. Moreover, the study finds four factors that may affect how innovation intermediaries build their key-capabilities. Additionally, evidence to support human resource development as a fifth key-capability and motivation as a third underlying capability was found. This study also provides policy and management implications for innovation intermediary key-capability development.

Innovation, Global Competitiveness and Human Development Index: EU Cluster Case

This study investigates the effects of innovation on global competitiveness within the framework of the EU13 and EU15 countries. Using a Pooled Driscoll and Kraay regression analysis that takes into account unit and time effects, the research illuminates the relationship between the Human Development Index (HDI), which represents Global Competitiveness, Research Expenditure, the Number of Researchers, the Number of Patents, and the Human Capital Index. The findings reveal that while the number of researchers and research expenditure lack a statistically significant effect on HDI in both groups, a significant positive correlation was found between HDI and both the number of patents and human capital. More specifically, for EU13 countries, an increase in the number of patents and human capital leads to respective increases of 0.005 and 0.04 in the HDI, while for EU15 countries, these figures stand at 0.0008 and 0.03 respectively. The study concludes that investment strategies aimed at enhancing human capital and increasing the number of patent applications can notably improve global competitiveness. For EU13 countries, in particular, greater effort in the mentioned areas is needed to narrow the gap with their EU15 counterparts. In addition, despite the indirect impact on competitiveness, it is recommended for EU13 countries to boost their R&D investments and foster technological transfer to enhance their innovation capabilities. The findings from this study underscore the pivotal role of innovation in achieving global competitiveness and suggest a need for stronger collaboration within the European Union, particularly in scientific and technological fields, to facilitate knowledge and skill exchange.

Promoting equity in education for sustainable development through community-based learning and teaching

Our presentation reported on the vital role of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) (UNESCO, 2023) in fostering learners equipped with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential for a sustainable future. Despite the emphasis on inclusive and equitable human development through ESD, achieving equitable learning outcomes for all students remains a persistent challenge in the context of UK higher education. Our project explored the benefits and challenges of enabling all students to engage with ESD. We made recommendations for learning developers to effectively support students developing understanding and competencies for sustainability. We explored this through considering the challenges and gaps in inclusive pedagogies, professional development opportunities, curricula integration, and external partnerships. The objective of the project was to address this issue by investigating how equity concerns in ESD can be effectively tackled through the integration of community-based learning and teaching (CBLT) approaches into university curricula (Salam, et al., 2019). Also referred to as service learning, the growing effort in implementing these approaches involves students engaging in organised activities benefiting local communities, enhancing academic knowledge, and fostering civic responsibility. This has important implications for learning developers and the support students need to engage effectively in what may be an unfamiliar form of learning and development. Collaborating with a student researcher, the project employed a multi-faceted methodology, including a literature review, mapping exercise using sustainable development goals (SDGs) and qualitative examination of module descriptions at University College London (UCL) and Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), both based in East London. In the presentation, we shared our existing practices combining ESD and community-based learning that included: Our mapping of the integration of ESD and community-based learning in our university curricula. Gaps and challenges in achieving equitable learning outcomes using a qualitative analysis of curriculum design and implementation. Our initial recommendations for the learning developer community in supporting students to engage with ESD, and gain vital knowledge, skills and competencies for a sustainable future. We also provided a short evaluation of our work as a research collaboration of learning development approaches involving students, academic developers and educators from two universities.

Effects of Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 in neonates exposed to antibiotics: a randomised controlled trial.

Perinatal antibiotic exposure potentially leads to gut microbiota dysbiosis, which is associated with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). We aimed to investigate the effects of Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 supplementation on the development of FGIDs, crying and sleep duration, and the gut microbial composition in infants exposed to antibiotics during the neonatal period. In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we included 89 term neonates treated with antibiotics. Neonates received the study product for six weeks. FGIDs, assessed by the Infant Gastrointestinal Symptom Questionnaire, crying and sleep duration were assessed at four and eight weeks, and six months after enrolment. Faecal samples were collected six weeks and twelve months after enrolment. The gut microbial community composition was analysed using 16S amplicon sequencing and qPCR. The proportion of infants with FGIDs was greater in the control group, although the difference between the groups was significant only six months after enrolment. At all time points, the probiotic group presented a longer sleep duration and shorter crying time than the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant. Probiotic consumption had no significant effect on the gut microbiota composition except for increased L. reuteri DSM 17938 abundance in the probiotic group at six weeks after enrolment. At specific time points after supplementation with L. reuteri DSM 17938, a reduction in the prevalence of FGIDs was observed in the probiotic group. However, no observable effect on the gut microbiota was detected during the intervention. We believe that probiotic supplementation in neonates during and after antibiotic treatment to minimise the negative effects of antibiotics on gut function during this vulnerable period of human development warrants further investigation. The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02865564).

Decoding the human prenatal immune system with single-cell multi-omics.

The human immune system is made up of a huge variety of cell types each with unique functions. Local networks of resident immune cells are poised to sense and protect against pathogen entry, whereas more widespread innate and adaptive immune networks provide first rapid, then long-lasting and targeted responses. However, how we develop such a diverse and complex system remains unknown. Studying human development directly has been challenging in the past, but recent advances in single-cell and spatial genomics, together with the co-ordinated efforts of the Human Cell Atlas and other initiatives, have led to new studies that map the development of the human immune system in unprecedented detail. In this Review, we consider the timings, transitions, cell types and tissue microenvironments that are crucial for building the human immune system. We also compare and contrast the human system with model species and in vitro systems, and discuss how an understanding of prenatal immune system development will improve our knowledge of human disease.

The Influence of Education Level, Human Development Index, Labor and Life Expectancy on Economic Growth in Blora Regency 2010-2022

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh tingkat pendidikan, indeks pembangunan manusia, angkatan kerja, dan angka harapan hidup terhadap pertumbuhan ekonomi di Kabupaten Blora tahun 2010-2022. Penelitian ini menjelaskan teori-teori tentang tingkat pendidikan, indeks pembangunan manusia, angkatan kerja, dan angka harapan hidup disertai dengan angka harapan hidup, serta korelasi antara variabel prediktor dan variabel hasil serta dilengkapi dengan penelitian, kerangka kerja, dan hipotesis sebelumnya. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kuantitatif yang dikenal dengan penelitian kausal-komparatif. Sumber data berasal dari BPS Kabupaten Blora. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah seluruh data indikator makroekonomi di Kabupaten Blora. Sampel penelitian ini menggunakan data tingkat pendidikan, indeks pembangunan manusia, angkatan kerja, angka harapan hidup dan pertumbuhan ekonomi di Kabupaten Blora tahun 2010 sampai dengan tahun 2022. Metode pengumpulan data menggunakan penelitian kepustakaan dan dokumentasi. Dalam penelitian ini dilakukan uji asumsi klasik meliputi penilaian normalitas, multikolinearitas, heteroskedastisitas, dan autokorelasi. Metode analisis yang digunakan adalah analisis regresi berganda dengan menggunakan software Eviews 9. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa tingkat pendidikan tidak berpengaruh terhadap pertumbuhan ekonomi. Indeks Pembangunan Manusia tidak berpengaruh terhadap pertumbuhan ekonomi. Tenaga kerja mempengaruhi pertumbuhan ekonomi. Angka Harapan Hidup tidak berpengaruh terhadap pertumbuhan ekonomi di Kabupaten Blora tahun 2010-2022. Kata Kunci: Tingkat Pendidikan, Indeks Pembangunan Manusia, Tenaga Kerja, Angka Harapan Hidup dan Pertumbuhan Ekonomi.

The nexus between economic, demographic, policy and human development in South Africa: An econometric analysis

The Human Development Index, which accounts for both net foreign income and the total value of goods and services generated domestically, illustrates how income becomes less significant as Gross National Income (GNI) rises by using the logarithm of income. South Africa ranks 109th out of 189 countries in the Human Development Index (HDI) within the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) economic bloc, raising long-term sustainability concerns. The study explores the relationship between economic, demography, policy indicators and human development in South Africa. South Africa’s unique status as a developing country within the BRICS economic group, alongside its lengthy history of racial discrimination, calls for a sophisticated approach to understanding Human Development. Existing research considered economic, demography, policy indicators independently; the gap of understanding their interconnection and long-term effects in the South African contexts exists. The study addresses the gap by using Autoregressive-Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach to investigate the short-term and the long-term relationship between economic, demography, policy indicators and human development in South Africa. By discovering these links, the study hopes to provide useful insights for policymakers seeking to promote sustainable human development in South Africa. The findings indicate that growth in GDP is a key factor in the HDI since it shows that there are more financial resources available for human development. By discovering these links, the study hopes to provide useful insights for policymakers seeking to promote sustainable human development in South Africa.

Human capital development practices and performance of business organizations in imo state

The study examined human capital development practices and performance of business organizations in Imo State. It specifically focused on the influence of developmental human capital development and collaborative human capital development practices on market share and customers’ satisfaction of business organizations. The study employed a descriptive survey research design. The population of the study was 96 (ninety-six) registered business organizations in Imo State. The entire population of the study was used due to its manageable size. Data was collected with a structured questionnaire designed by the researchers. The questionnaire was validated by two professionals in the field of measurement and evaluation of the principal researcher’s institution, and the reliability of the instrument was determined with test re-test which yielded a coefficient of 0.87. Data was collected through physical contact with the respondents. Data collected was analyzed with mean and standard deviation. Analysis of the data collected revealed that both developmental and collaborative human capital development practices have positive influence on both market share and customers’ satisfaction of business organizations. Thus, it was recommended that: management of organizations should prioritize the use of developmental human capital development approaches like training and development, performance appraisal, and performance counseling to prepare their employees for higher performance; and management of organization should encourage the use of collaborative human capital development practices like goal setting, role-clarification, and interpersonal relations to increase the productivity of their employees.

How the extra X chromosome impairs the development of male fetal germ cells.

The dosage of X-linked genes is accurately regulated with the development of fetal germ cells (FGCs)1,2. How aberrant dosage of X-linked genes impairs FGC development in humans remains poorly understood. FGCs of patients with Klinefelter syndrome (KS), who have an extra X chromosome, provide natural models for addressing this issue3. Here we demonstrate that most human FGCs in KS are arrested at an early stage, characterized by the upregulation of genes related to pluripotency, the WNT pathway and the TGF-β pathway, along with the downregulation of genes involved in FGC differentiation. The limited KS FGCs that are capable of reaching the late stage remain relatively naive. X chromosomes are not inactivated and the dosage of X-linked genes is excessive in KS FGCs. X-linked genes dominate the differentially expressed genes and are enriched in critical biological processes associated with the developmental delay of KS FGCs. Moreover, aberrant interactions between Sertoli cells and FGCs disrupt the migration of late FGCs to the basement membrane in KS. Notably, inhibition of the TGF-β pathway improves the differentiation of KS FGCs. Our findings elucidate how the extra X chromosome impairs the development of male FGCs and reveal the initial molecular events preceding germ cell loss in KS.

The Effects of War-Related Stress on Human Development: Differences in Body Proportions of Polish Women Born Before and During World War II.

This study aims to explore the lasting effects of stress experienced by pregnant women during World War II (WWII) on body and head measurements of their adult daughters. The research sample consists of 336 female university students born in Poland between 1925 and 1951. The data include body measurements and socioeconomic information (parental occupation and number of siblings) acquired from questionnaires collected between the 1950s and 1970s. Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney test and Analysis of Variance were used to analyze differences in body measurements between groups of women born before and during the war, as well as the possible influences of socioeconomic variables. The mean measurements of body height, symphysion height, and waist circumference were lower in women conceived and born during the war compared to those born in the pre-war period. In contrast, the mean measurements of biacromial (shoulder) width, trunk length, and three head dimensions were higher in women conceived and born during the war. Additionally, the number of siblings appeared to be a significant factor that may have influenced the body measurements of women in both groups. For instance, a higher number of living siblings, particularly sisters, was associated with reduced body dimensions, such as body height and waist circumference, while a greater number of deceased siblings was linked to an increase in certain body dimensions. The results suggest that war-related prenatal conditions may have influenced the postnatal growth and development of women conceived and born during the war. Notably, the direction of these changes varied, which indicates that the growth response to the war-related conditions was a complex adaptation, reflecting both positive and negative changes in different body parts, rather than a uniform pattern of growth suppression.