Weight Growth Curves Research Articles

The Prospective Association between Early Life Growth and Breast Density in Young Adult Women.

Breast density is a strong intermediate endpoint to investigate the association between early-life exposures and breast cancer risk. This study investigates the association between early-life growth and breast density in young adult women measured using Optical Breast Spectroscopy (OBS) and Dual X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA). OBS measurements were obtained for 536 female Raine Cohort Study participants at ages 27-28, with 268 completing DXA measurements. Participants with three or more height and weight measurements from ages 8 to 22 were used to generate linear growth curves for height, weight and body mass index (BMI) using SITAR modelling. Three growth parameters (size, velocity and timing) were examined for association with breast density measures, adjusting for potential confounders. Women who reached their peak height rapidly (velocity) and later in adolescence (timing) had lower OBS-breast density. Overall, women who were taller (size) had higher OBS-breast density. For weight, women who grew quickly (velocity) and later in adolescence (timing) had higher absolute DXA-breast density. Overall, weight (size) was also inversely associated with absolute DXA-breast density, as was BMI. These findings provide new evidence that adolescent growth is associated with breast density measures in young adult women, suggesting potential mediation pathways for breast cancer risk in later life.

Weight Development and Growth Curves of Grazing Santa Inês Sheep Supplemented with Concentrate in the Pre-Weaning Phase.

Monitoring weight development is essential for decision-making and assessing the effectiveness of management strategies. However, this practice is often hindered by the lack of scales on farms. This study aimed to characterize the weight development and growth curves of male and female Santa Inês lambs from birth to weaning, managed on pasture with creep-fed concentrate supplementation. Data from 212 lambs during the pre-weaning phase were analyzed. The animals were weighed every seven days to evaluate total weight gain and average daily gain. Biometric measurements were taken every 28 days. Mixed models were used to assess the effects of sex and birth type on birth and weaning weights. Simple and multiple linear regression models were employed to estimate live weight using biometric measurements. The non-linear Gompertz model was utilized to describe weight development and formulate growth curves. Results were considered significant at p < 0.05. An interaction effect between birth type and sex (p < 0.05) was noted for birth weight, with the lowest weight observed in twin-birth females (2.96 kg) and the highest in single-birth males (3.73 kg) and females (3.65 kg) (p > 0.05). Birth type significantly influenced average daily gain, total weight gain, and weaning weight (p < 0.05). The Gompertz model accurately depicted the growth curves, effectively describing the weight development. Pearson's correlation coefficients between biometric measurements and weight were positive and significant (p < 0.05), ranging from 0.599 for hip height to 0.847 for heart girth. Consequently, the simple and multiple regression equations demonstrated high precision in predicting weaning weight. In conclusion, twin-birth lambs receiving concentrate supplementation via creep-feeding and managed on pasture showed different developmental patterns compared to single-birth lambs under the same conditions. The Gompertz model proved effective for monitoring development during the pre-weaning phase. All simple and multiple linear regression models were effective in predicting weaning weight through biometric measurements. However, for practical application, the model incorporating two measurements-body length and abdominal circumference-is recommended.

Growth charts for weight and height of Indian children with Down syndrome.

Age and gender specific growth charts for Indian children with Down syndrome (DS) based on longitudinal data have not been published. To establish percentile growth charts for DS children inhabiting northwestern parts of India, body weight and length/height of 1125 (Male: 752, Female: 373) children with DS aged <1 month to 10 years, enrolled from the "Genetics Clinic" were measured at half yearly age intervals in the "Growth Clinic" of the Institute from August 1994 to November 2018. A total of 2089 observations were made on these children using standardized anthropometric techniques and instruments following a prospective mixed-longitudinal growth research design. Using the LMS method, age and sex-specific percentile growth charts (<1 month to 10 years) for weight, and length/ height were generated. Unpaired t-test was used to compare mean growth attainments of study children with those of DS patients representing other population groups as well as their normal Multicentre Growth Reference Study (MGRS and Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) counterparts. The 50th percentile growth curves for both weight and length/height of Indian children with DS demonstrated a regular increase. As compared to their normal MGRS and Indian (IAP) counterparts, the children with DS had lower weight and height attainments. The boys and girls with Down syndrome showed short stature (height < 3rd centile) from the age of 1 year till 10 years and also became underweight beyond 5 years. As compared to their normal counterparts, children with Down syndrome exhibited compromised auxological attainments. The use of growth charts presented herein may be used to compare and monitor growth and nutritional status of Indian children with Down syndrome.

Development of specific growth charts for children with Fanconi anemia.

Patients with Fanconi anemia (FA) are often perceived to have poor growth when general population growth curves are utilized. We hypothesize that FA patients have unique growth and aimed to create FA-specific growth charts. Height and weight data from ages 0 to 20 years were extracted from medical records of patients treated at the Fanconi Anemia Comprehensive Care Clinic at the University of Minnesota. Height, weight, and BMI growth curves were generated and fitted to reference percentiles using the Lambda-Mu-Sigma method. FA-specific percentiles were compared to WHO standards for ages 0-2 and CDC references for ages 2-20. In FA males, the 50th height- and weight-for-age percentiles overlap with the 3rd reference percentile. In FA females, only the 50th height-for-age percentile overlaps with the 3rd reference percentile. For weight, FA females show progressive growth failure between 6 and 24 months followed by stabilization around the 50th percentile. The FA BMI-for-age percentiles show similar patterns to the weight-for-age percentiles but have different timing of onset of adiposity rebound and broader variability in females. Growth in FA patients follows a different trajectory than available normative curves. FA-specific growth charts may be useful to better guide accurate growth expectations, evaluations, and treatment.

Growth charts of Brazilian youngs: 20-years data of 95,000 children and adolescents from "Projeto Esporte Brasil".

This article aims to present growth curves for height, weight, and BMI of 95,000 Brazilian youths aged 6 to 17 years, including the five regions of the country, the Amazon region, and indigenous populations, and compare them with the World Health Organization (WHO) growth references. The final sample consisted of 52,729 boys and 42,731 girls from the "Projeto Esporte Brasil" database. Body mass and height information were used to derive the curves. The generalized additive model for location, scale, and shape was employed. In this study, we present smoothed weight-for-age, height-for-age, and BMI-for-age curves for boys and girls. Differences were observed between the results of the Brazilian curves and the WHO growth references. The developed curves will be valuable for professionals in medicine, public health, nutrition, physical education, and other related fields, regarding the assessment of physical growth in Brazilian children and adolescents and monitoring the nutritional status of this population. Additionally, these curves will facilitate the identification of individuals or subgroups at risk of diseases and delayed growth, with a greater focus on specific country-related factors.

Growth Curve and Heterosis Effect of Egg Weight, Doc Weight, Fertility and Hatchability from Crossing of Sentul Debu and Kulawu Chicken at Poultry Breeding Jatiwangi

Growth Curve and Heterosis Effect of Egg Weight, Doc Weight, Fertility and Hatchability from Crossing of Sentul Debu and Kulawu Chicken at Poultry Breeding Jatiwangi

Height, weight, and body mass index in patients with familial dysautonomia.

Children with familial dysautonomia (FD) are smaller and grow more slowly than the general population. It is unknown whether this abnormal growth is due to comorbidities that patients with FD live with, or if it is a direct effect of the disease-causing homozygous ELP-1 mutations. Here, we created growth curves for weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) in male and female children with FD to monitor the nutritional status of patients with FD. We used the New York University (NYU) FD Registry which includes data from 680 individuals with FD who were followed longitudinally since birth. We generated sex-specific FD growth charts for three age ranges (birth to 36 months, 2 to 20 years, and 2 to 40 years) and compared them to the general population. We generated Kaplan-Meier curves to test the hypothesis that FD patients with low BMI had shorter survival than the rest of the cohort. Growth charts generated from 591 individuals with FD show that these patients grow more slowly, reach less height, and gain less weight than the general population. The impact of FD on height was more pronounced in girls than in boys. However, both groups showed markedly low weights, which resulted in low BMI. Low weight, but not height, is already evident at birth. In a subpopulation of FD patients, we found that treatment with growth hormone or spinal fusion surgery helped patients achieve the expected growth characteristic of FD patients, but these treatments did not lead FD patients to achieve the growth pattern of the general population. Contrary to our hypothesis, low BMI had no impact on patient survival. Pediatric patients with FD have lower height, weight, and BMI compared to the general pediatric population, but this does not appear to affect survival. Growth curves specific to the FD population are an important tool to monitor growth and nutritional status in pediatric patients with FD when the general population growth curves are of limited use.

Growth curves of swamp buffaloes (Bubalus b. carabanensis) under rearing in cow house

The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth curve of 525 monthly body weight data of 19 males (n=313) and 8 females (n=212) swamp buffaloes (Bubalus b. carabanensis), from birth to slaughter age (25 months). The nonlinear models used were: logistic, Gompertz, Von Bertalanffy and Brody. The parameters were estimated by NLIN procedure, and the criteria used to evaluate the adjustment given by the models were Akaike’s information criterion (AIC), Bayesian information criterion (BIC) and coefficient of determination (R2). The results indicated that the better fit of Brody model than the Logistic, Gompertz, and Von Bertalanffy models to our data. The parameters estimate for Brody model [WT = α * (1-βe-k*AGE)] were α = 902.00±45.9912, β = 0,9727±0.0089, k = 0.0483±0.0044, R2 = 0.9748. The estimation of birth and slaughter weights were 24.6596±8.8367 and 639.6467 6.4019 kg, respectively as well as the maturation rate (k) to achieve the mature weigh (α) of 902.00±45.9912 kg was 0.0483±0.0044. Growth curve of weight vs. age of swamp buffalo rearing under intensive system from birth to 25 months old adjusted to the Brody nonlinear model showed growth in a sigmoid-curve model and more accurate in expecting the birth weight of these animals.

Effects of Sex and Rearing Season on Body Weight Gain and Growth Curve Parameters of Local Chickens in Niger

Local chicken breeding is widespread in Niger, a country with harsh environmental conditions. This study aimed to investigate the effects of sex, temperature, and hygrometry variations on the body weight gain and growth curve of local Nigerien chickens. Two groups of local chickens were followed from hatching to 20 weeks of age. The first and second groups consisted of 96 and 124 chickens, respectively. Three seasons were identified based on continuously recording ambient temperature and humidity over a year. The dry and warm seasons (February, March, April, and May), the wet and warm seasons (June, July, August, and September), and the dry and cold seasons (October, November, December, and January). The average hatch weight was about 24 g, and monthly body weight gains ranged from 100 to 360 g. Asymptotic weights were 2214.02 ± 69.94 g and 1776.93 ± 63.57 g for roosters and 1380.25 ± 25.96 g and 1433.08 ± 71.24 g for hens. The sexual maturity rates indicate that hens are more precocious than roosters. Sex and season had significant impacts on the growth performance of the chickens. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicated that the optimal time to raise local chickens in rural Niger is from June to January, and males are better candidates for meat production. Keywords: Growth curve, Hygrometry, Local chicken, Temperature, Weight gain

Problems of Food and Nutritional Practices of Children in Precarious Areas of Port-Bouët in Abidjan

Food and nutritional security is a major and topical concern in the world.This study aims to present the food practices of children in precarious neighborhoods of Port-Bouët. The methodology was based on (1) surveys of 400 children (7 to 12 years old), (2) interviews with managers of the health centers of Gonzaqueville, Vridi Canal and Port-Bouët center, (3) the determination of the quantities of the most consumed meals with a scale, (4) calculations of the BMI of children associated with the weight growth curve according to their sex and (5) documentary research to know the chemical compositions of foods. The majority of children eat their meals at home. The structure of children's meals consists of a main course plus water. The most consumed dish is rice with a sauce and little fish (or meat) and attiéké accompanied by fried fish. Meals consumed by children are high in carbohydrates and contain little protein. They eat four times a day and the meal quantities are small. Most of the children are thin and suffer from anemia. Children in the precarious neighborhoods of Port-Bouët have poor dietary and nutritional practices that negatively influence their health. This category of individuals is the most vulnerable.

Evaluation of Laying Performance of the Parent Generation of Kuchinskaya Anniversary and Adler Silver Chicken Breeds

The efficiency of poultry farming is determined not by the expansion of existing livestock lines, but by an increase in the quality of productive and breeding birds of the parental forms of the studied breeds. Most of the economically important traits are polygenic in nature for research. Environmental factors have a significant influence on their manifestation. According to some studies, genetic factors significantly depend on body weight, egg weight and sexual maturity. As for embryonic and postembryonic viability, as well as the efficiency of feed use, they depend on environmental conditions by 85-95%. Egg weight growth curves for chickens of different breeds show that all breeds studied begin laying eggs at 6 months. The growth rate of egg mass changes with age.

Predicting the growth curve of body weight in Ettawa Crossbred Goats with Logistic and Gompertz mathematical models

Ettawa crossbred goat is one of Indonesian native goat that kept for meat and milk productions. This research was aimed to predict the growth curve of body weight in Ettawa crossbred goat at 1 - 24 months of age with Logistic (L) and Gompertz (G) mathematical models. The number of 48 goats (24 males and 24 females) were used in this study and collected from Tambang District, Kampar Regency, Riau Province of Indonesia. Research showed that L and G models have the very high coefficient determination (R2) value (R2&gt;0.90). The asymptotic weight (A) in animal studies was 53.34 kg (L) / 55.20 kg (G) for male and 36.99 kg (L) / 39.86 kg (G) for female. The inflection of weight (IW) in animal studies was 26.67 kg (L) / 20.29 kg (G) for male and 18.49 kg (L) / 14.65 kg (G) for female. The inflection of age (IA) in animal studies was 8.54 months (L) / 6.74 months (G) for male and 9.80 months (L) / 7.00 months (G) for females. In conclusion, the growth curve of body weight in Ettawa crossbred goats can be predicted with L and G models accurately.

The growth curve determination and economic trait correlation for Qinchuan bull population

Carcass weight, as a measure of meat yield, and body measurements are directly correlated traits in livestock. However, longitudinally collected phenotype records of local breeds are not comprehensive. The research was performed on Qinchuan bull population to understand their growth and development, and data from Qinchuan bull that was weighed and measured at birth, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months of age was analyzed. Furthermore, Logistic, Brody, Gompertz, and Bertallanffy were used to fit the growth curves for weight and body size traits. The results showed that the four curve models have good fitting degrees for the weight and body size (R 2 > 0.99), and the Bertallanffy model exhibited a good fit to the measured data of body weight, and the model estimated the inflection point of body weight as (5.43 months of age, 122.01 kg). Particularly, the limited mature body weight can reach 557.8 kg by the Brody model. Body weight was significantly positively correlated with body height, hip height, body length, chest circumference, abdominal girth, and calf girth (p < 0.0001), and the correlation between body weight and body length was the highest (r = 0.975). The regression equation predicting body weight was Y = −275.691 + 3.28 X 3 + 1.311 X 4 − 0.397 X 5.

Establishing Postnatal Growth Monitoring Curves of Preterm Infants in China: Allowing for Continuous Use from 24 Weeks of Preterm Birth to 50 Weeks.

Background: Early postnatal growth monitoring and nutrition assessment for preterm infants is a public health and clinical concern. We aimed to establish a set of postnatal growth monitoring curves of preterm infants to better help clinicians make in-hospital and post-discharge nutrition plan of these vulnerable infants. Methods: We collected weight, length and head circumference data from a nationwide survey in China between 2015 and 2018. Polynomial regression and the modified LMS methods were employed to construct the smoothed weight, length and head circumference growth curves. Results: We established the P3, P10, P25, P50, P75, P90, P97 reference curves of weight, length and head circumference that allowed for continuous use from 24 weeks of preterm birth to 50 weeks and developed a set of user-friendly growth monitoring charts. We estimated approximate ranges of weight gain per day and length and head circumference gains per week. Conclusions: Our established growth monitoring curves, which can be used continuously without correcting gestational age from 24 weeks of preterm birth to 50 weeks, may be useful for assessment of postnatal growth trajectories, definition of intrauterine growth retardation at birth, and classification of early nutrition status for preterm infants.

Growth Estimation of Under-Five Children Using Statistical Models in Central Region of India

Background and aimsTo determine the suitability of 11 basic statistical models for estimating child-growth of under-five children and to bring-forth estimated growth curves for mean height & mean weight by their selected birth-weight categories for Central Region of India. MethodsThe study used fourth round of National Family Health Survey-4 (NFHS-4) data of India, consisting of 75,645 under-five children, belonging to 3 Indian States – Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh & Uttar Pradesh. The children of the Region were first divided into 4 sub categories according to their birth-weight: (i) < 2000 gm, (ii) 2000–2499 gm, (iii) 2500–2999 gm (iv) 3000+gm, growth curve for mean height and mean weight were estimated for two sexes. ResultsThe significant association of 7 socio-demographic factors studied, namely – age & sex of child, birth-order, BMI, mother's highest level of education, place of residence and wealth index. Further, Cubic Model and Power Model, demonstrated best-fit to height & weight data of under-five children, belonging to different birth-weight categories, for estimating growth of boys & girls separately. These models enabled us to estimate mean height and mean weight, with 95% CI, for boys and girls separately by different birth-weight categories. ConclusionsStudy concluded that 7 socio-demographic factors were significantly associated with birth-weight. Further, Cubic Model and Power Model were most suitable for estimating child growth in terms of mean height & mean weight for boys and girls – considering specific birth-weight categories.

Modelling growth in dairy heifers based on linear body measurements (withers height) using non-linear functions.

This research communication reports a study to model the growth curves for withers height (WH) and body weight (BW) to withers height ratio (BW:WH) using monthly records (from 1 to 24 months of age) for three breeds of dairy heifer (Holstein, Jersey and Brown Swiss). The data sets used were those reported by the Dairy Heifer Evaluation Project of Penn State Extension (USA) between 1991 and 1992. Four growth functions (monomolecular and Michaelis-Menten, both with diminishing returns behaviour, and Schumacher and López, both with asymptotic sigmoidal behaviour) were fitted using the non-linear regression procedure of the SigmaPlot software and the parameters estimated. The models were judged for goodness of fit using adjusted coefficient of determination ($R_{{\rm adj}}^2 $), root mean square error (RMSE), Akaike's information criterion (AIC) and Bayesian information criterion (BIC). Assessing the goodness of fit by $R_{{\rm adj}}^2 $ (>0.99 in all cases) reveals the generally appropriate fit of the models to the data. The non-sigmoidal functions (i.e. Michaelis-Menten and monomolecular) provided the best fits giving the lowest values of RMSE, AIC and BIC. Based on the chosen statistical criteria, the Schumacher and López equations provided acceptable fits to the WH and BW:WH growth curves, but showed points of inflexion at times before birth, indicating that these growth curves are not sigmoidal. In conclusion, evaluation of the different non-linear growth functions used in this study indicated their potential for modelling growth patterns in dairy heifers.

The Sizes, Growth and Reproduction of Arrow Worms (Chaetognatha) in Light of the Gill-Oxygen Limitation Theory (GOLT)

The Chaetognatha are a marine invertebrate phylum including 132 extant, carnivorous species in nine families and two orders, but with unclear protostomian affinities in the animal kingdom. We document the gradual recognition of the distinctiveness of chaetognaths by early taxonomists, with some emphasis on the often-overlooked studies by Chinese marine biologists. The carnivorous arrow worms are understudied relative to their importance in the marine zooplankton, where they rank second in abundance after the herbivorous copepods. Although arrow worms lack gills or other dedicated respiratory organs, we show that the Gill-Oxygen Limitation Theory (GOLT) can be used to explain how temperature and respiration affect their growth and related life-history traits. Notably, we present a reappraisal of evidence for size–temperature relationships between and within chaetognath species, and for the relationship between their temperature-mediated oxygen demand and their growth patterns. Von Bertalanffy weight growth curves of Ferosagitta hispida (family: Sagittidae) based on earlier aquarium experiments by various authors are presented, which suggest (a) a good fit and (b) that the life span of chaetognaths is much lower than suggested by the authors of several published growth curves drawn onto length–frequency samples from the wild. In addition, we show that chaetognaths attain first maturity at a fraction of the maximum length they can attain that is similar to the corresponding fraction in fishes. Overall, we suggest that the manner in which the oxygen they require enters the body of small marine invertebrates, although often neglected, is a crucial aspect of their biology. In addition, based on our result that arrow worms conform to the GOLT, we suggest that this theory may provide the theoretical framework for the study of growth in the other water-breathing ectotherms lacking gills.

The Standard Deviation Structure as a New Approach to Growth Analysis in Weight and Length Data of Farmed Lutjanus guttatus

In the present study, size-at-age data (length and weight) of marine cage-reared spotted rose snapper Lutjanus guttatus were analyzed under four different variance assumptions (observed, constant, depensatory, and compensatory variances) to analyze the robustness of selecting the right standard deviation structure to parametrize the von Bertalanffy, Logistic, and Gompertz models. The selection of the best model and variance criteria was obtained based on the Bayesian information criterion (BIC). According to the BIC results, the observed variance in the present study was the best way to parametrize the three abovementioned growth models, and the Gompertz model best represented the length and weight growth curves. Based on these results, using the observed error structure to calculate the growth parameters in multi-model inference analyses is recommended.

Early life factors in relation to albuminuria and estimated glomerular filtration rate based on cystatin C and creatinine in adults from a Swedish population-based cohort study

BackgroundEarly life factors influence the number of nephrons a person starts life with and a consequence of that is believed to be premature kidney ageing. Thus, we aimed to identify early life factors associated with cystatin C and creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR) rate equations and urine -albumin-to-creatinine ratio after a follow-up of 46–67 years.MethodsThe study included 593 Swedish subjects without diabetes mellitus from the Malmo Diet Cancer Cohort. Perinatal data records including birth weight, gestational age, placenta weight and maternal related risk factors were analysed. eGFR was determined by Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology (CKD-EPI), the Lund-Malmö revised and Caucasian, Asian, Paediatric, and Adult (CAPA) equations. Postnatal growth phenotypes were defined as low (≤ 0) or high (> 0) birth weight z-score, or low (≤ median) or high (> median) body mass index at 20 years of age.ResultsIn women, lower birth weight was associated with lower eGFR (CAPA; CKD-EPI cystatin C). Birth weight z-score predicted adult albuminuria specifically in men (OR 0.75, 95% CI [0.58; 0.96]). Women with high birth weight z-score and low BMI at 20 years had lower eGFR (CAPA; CKD-EPI cystatin C; p = 0.04). Men with high birth weight z-score and high BMI at 20 years had lower risk for albuminuria (OR 0.35, 95% CI [0.12; 0.93]).ConclusionsLower birth weight, prematurity and postnatal growth curve have a potential sex- specific effect of early exposure to an adverse environment on lower cystatin C-based eGFR and albuminuria later in life. Cystatin C compared to creatinine -eGFR equations shows a higher ability to detect these findings.Graphic abstract

GROWTH CURVE AND FEED EFFICIENCY OF BOA CONSTRICTOR SUBSPECIES KEPT IN CAPTIVITY

The growth curve is an important parameter for estimating the development of an animal and assisting breeding programs and assessing welfare. However, little data is available on the growth curves of snakes, including native species such as Boa constrictors. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to determine the growth curve of three subspecies of Boa constrictor juveniles (B. constrictor constrictor - Bcc, B. constrictor amarali - Bca and B. constrictor occidentalis - Bco) using data from a commercial breeder located in Brazil. Thirty-seven newborn snakes were placed in individual plastic boxes and kept in a temperature-controlled room (30±2°C and 70-80% humidity) until they reached commercial size (58 days). The snakes' weight and food intake were recorded weekly. These data were used to calculate total food intake, relative weight gain, feed efficiency and growth curves for snakes, comparing animals within subspecies and sexes. There was no difference in growth between genders for Bcc (p = 0.9844) and Bco (p = 0.9845), while for Bca females presented a greater growth (p = 0.0052). There were no statistical differences in relative weight gain and feed efficiency among subspecies. The parameters and growth curves determined in this study can be used as an initial reference guide to monitor the growth of Boa constrictor newborns and contribute to the establishment of an adequate food management for snakes kept in captivity, being a possible parameter for quantifying to determine welfare during the development of newborn snakes.