Location of the upper oesophageal sphincter during swallowing: Analysis using swallowing CT.

BACKGROUND: Upper oesophageal sphincter (UES) serves as an important anatomical and functional landmark during swallowing. However, the precise UES location before and during swallowing has not been well established. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine upper oesophageal sphincter (UES) location and displacement during swallowing accounting for sex, age, and height in healthy adults using 320-row area detector computed tomography (320-ADCT). METHODS: Ninety-four healthy adults (43 males; 22-90 years) underwent 320-ADCT scanning while swallowing one trial of 10 mL honey thick barium. UES location at bolus hold and at maximum displacement and vertical displacement during swallowing were identified using the coordinates and the section classification of vertebrae (VERT scale). The differences and correlations of UES location and distance in terms of sex, age, and height were analysed using Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: UES locations at bolus hold and at maximum displacement were significantly lower and UES vertical displacement was significantly larger in males than in females (p < .001). UES location at bolus hold became lower with increasing age (r = -.312, p = .002), but the negative correlation was low at maximum displacement (r = -.230, p = .026), resulting in larger vertical distance with ageing. UES locations showed high negative correlation at bolus hold with height (r = -.715, p < .001), and showed moderate negative correlation at maximum displacement with height (r = -.555, p < .001), although this effect was unclear when analysed by sex. CONCLUSION: Males showed lower UES location and larger displacement than females. The impact of age was evident with lower location before swallowing and larger displacement during swallowing. Differences observed by sex were not completely explained by using the VERT scale to adjust for height.

Interevaluator reliability of a tool for measuring body height in adult intensive care patients.

BACKGROUND: The calculation of body height in the intensive care unit is essential for obtaining the ideal body weight, which is used to program the tidal volume and establish objective and effective pulmonary ventilation. The objective of the study was to determine the interrater reliability of a tool for measuring body height in adult patients in an intensive care unit (ICU) in southwestern Colombia. METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted between January and May 2021, following the recommendations of the COSMIN protocol. Two physiotherapists in the roles of observer/evaluator measured the heights of 106 patients upon admission to the ICU with a previously designed. The sample size was calculated based on Pearson's correlation coefficient. For interrater reliability, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used, and Bland-Altman analysis was used to assess concordance. The 95% confidence interval was established, and a P value <0.05 indicated statistical significance. RESULTS: A total of 106 individuals with a mean age of 59.3 years were included; the mean body height was 158.5 cm for women. The interrater reliability of the measurement of height was excellent (global ICC of 0.99, P = 0.000), and an almost perfect positive correlation was obtained between the raters for both women and men (R = 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Excellent interrater/interobserver reliability was obtained for the measurement of body height in the ICU. This research highlights the importance of protocolizing the measurement of height in critical patients with valid and reliable instruments.

Prediction of Body Height Using Hand Length and Hand Breadth in Pharmacy and Nursing Students at Misrake Ghion College, Northeast Ethiopia: An Anthropometry Study.

Objectives: To predict body height using hand length and hand breadth in pharmacy and nursing students at Misrake Ghion College, Northeast Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional prospective study was conducted from October 15 to January 20, 2021. The study was carried out on 316 students (160 males and 156 females). The study participants were from the Amhara ethnic groups, with the age range of 18 to 25 years. Body height, hand length, and hand breath were measured and analyzed using SPSS version 23. The strength of association was evaluated using correlation analysis. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. A paired sample t test was performed. Regression equations were derived using simple and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: Hand length and hand breadth had a positive significant correlation with body height in both male and females. In both males and females, left hand length had a strong significant correlation (males r = 0.768, females r = 0.670), followed by right hand length (males r = 0.711, females r = 0.626). Regarding hand length, right hand breadth (males r = 0.671, female r = 0.438) and left hand length (males r = 0.504, females r = 0.525). There was a significant bilateral difference in hand length and hand breadth on its right and left sides (p < 0.05). Simple and multiple regression equations were formulated for each sex. Conclusion: In both males and females, body height can be estimated from hand length and breadth using simple or multiple regression equations.

Secular trends and regional pattern in body height of Austrian conscripts born between 1961 and 2002.

The human growth process is influenced not only by genetic factors but also by environmental factors. Therefore, regional differences in mean body heights may exist within a population or a state. In the present study, we described and evaluated the regional trends in mean body heights in the nine Austrian provinces over a period spanning more than four decades. Body height data of 1734569 male conscripts born in Austria with Austrian citizenship between 1961 and 2002 were anonymized and analyzed. From 1961 to 2002 birth cohorts, an overall increase in the mean body height of Austrian recruits was observed, although regional differences were evident. Regions with shorter body heights in the 1961-1963 birth cohorts showed a particularly pronounced increase in mean body heights. Meanwhile, the course of body height growth in the capital city, Vienna, was striking, where the highest body heights were documented for the 1961-1963 birth cohorts. In Vienna, mean body heights continued to decline until the 1984 birth cohort and increased again from the 1988 birth cohorts. In addition to economic factors, increased stress factors in an urban environment and a form of urban penalty are discussed as causes.

Humeral head size predicts baseplate lateralization in reverse shoulder arthroplasty: a comparative computer model study.

Background: In reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA), the ideal combination of baseplate lateralization (BL), glenosphere size (GS), and glenosphere overhang (GOH) with a commonly used 145° neck shaft angle (NSA) is unclear. This is the first study evaluating correlations of body height (BH), humeral head size (HS), glenoid height (GH), and association of gender with best glenoid configurations for range of motion (ROM) maintaining anatomic lateralization (aLAT) for optimized muscle length in 145° and less distalized 135° RSA. Methods: In this computer model study, 22 computed tomographies without joint narrowing were analyzed (11 male/female). A standardized semi-inlay 145° platform stem was combined with 20 glenoid configurations (baseplate [B] 25, 25 + 3/+6 lateralized [l], 29, 29 + 3/6l combined with glenosphere 36, 36 + 2 eccentric [e], 36 + 3l, 39, 39 + 3e, 39 + 3l , 42, 42 + 4e). Abduction-adduction, flexion-extension, external rotation-internal rotation, total ROM (TROM), and total notching relevant (TNR) ROM were computed, best TROM models respecting aLAT (-1 mm to +1 mm) and HS/GH recorded. Second, the 145° models (Ascend Flex stem; Stryker, Kalamazoo, MI, USA) were converted and compared to a 135° inlay RSA (New Perform stem; Stryker, Kalamazoo, MI, USA) maintaining GOH (6.5-7 mm) and aLAT. Results: Best 145° models had eccentric glenospheres (mean BL: 3.5 mm, GOH 8.8 mm, GS 38.1 mm, distalization 23 mm). The 135° models had concentric glenospheres, mean BL 3.8 mm, GOH 6.9 mm, GS 39.7 mm, and distalization 14.1 mm. HS showed the strongest positive correlation with BL in 145° and 135° models (0.65/0.79). Despite reduced GOH in smaller females with a 135° NSA, adduction, external rotation, extension, TNR ROM, and TROM were significantly increased (P = .02, P = .005, P = .005, P = .004, P = .003), abduction however reduced (P = .02). The same trends were seen for males. Conclusion: HS is a practical measure in surgery or preoperatively, and the strong positive correlation with BL is a useful planning aid. Despite reduction of GOH, conversion to a less distalized 135° NSAinlay design is powerful to maintain and even significantly increase all components of TNR ROM (extension/external rotation/adduction) in small females with the drawback of reduced abduction which may however be compensated by scapula motion. Lateralization with a less distalized 135° RSA optimizes muscle length, may facilitate subscapularis repair, and maintains highest rigid body motion.

Body measurement changes in adults with pectus excavatum after the Nuss procedure: a study of 272 patients.

BACKGROUND: Pectus excavatum (PE) is the most common congenital abnormality of the chest wall. Most patients with PE have slim bodies. Some studies have been conducted on the physical growth of children and adolescents who underwent the Nuss procedure. This study aimed to evaluate body measurement changes in adult patients with PE after the Nuss procedure. METHODS: A total of 272 adult PE patients, who underwent the Nuss procedure and pectus bars removal from August 2014 to December 2020, were evaluated retrospectively. Body measurement [body height (BH), body weight (BW), and body mass index (BMI)] of the patients were collected before Nuss repair and after bar removal. We used the interquartile range (IQR) to identify and exclude outliers. Associations between changes in body measurement and clinical and radiological features were evaluated. RESULTS: The BH, BW and BMI showed significantly increased after pectus bar removal, compared to pre-Nuss procedure parameters (BH 173.8 ± 5.9 cm vs. 173.9 ± 5.9 cm, P < 0.001; BW 60.3 ± 8.1 kg vs. 61.1 ± 8.8 kg, P = 0.005; BMI 19.9 ± 2.2 kg/m2 vs. 20.1 ± 2.4 kg/m2, P = 0.02). The same result were observed in the male subgroup, the HI ≥ 4 group and the male subgroup within the HI ≥ 4 group. CONCLUSIONS: The BH, BW and BMI were significantly increased after completing surgical correction of PE using the Nuss procedure, particularly in young males and patients with more pronounced deformities.

Can the Length of the Tibia Nail Be Predicted Correctly Before the Operation According to the Patient's Height and Shoe Size?

OBJECTIVE: Although various methods have been identified for the appropriate tibial nail length, there are disadvantages such as extra time, radiation exposure, and additional cost. We aimed to predict the ideal length of the nail according to the patient's height and shoe size in the preoperative period to eliminate these disadvantages. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2018 and August 2023, the height and shoe size data of 71 patients who were diagnosed with tibial shaft fracture and had tibia intramedullary nail fixation were determined. A linear regression model was applied to the normally distributed data. The correlation coefficient between the variables was evaluated according to the Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULTS: While 1 1-centimeter (cm) increase in patient height causes an increase of 3.2 millimeters (mm) in nail length, it was found that it alone contributed by 89% to predicting the ideal nail length (p<0.001). An increase of 1 unit in shoe size (EU) causes an increase of 9 mm in nail length; its contribution to predicting the ideal nail length alone is 84% (p<0.001). In the evaluation of the patient's height and shoe size together, it was observed that they jointly contributed 91% to the accurate estimation of the nail length (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: It may be risky to determine the tibial nail length only by shoe size or the patient's height. However, the correlation between them is strong. Therefore, by estimating nail lengths before the operation, the ideal nail length can be found by making fewer fluoroscopy checks during the operation.

Influence of Curved Video Laryngoscope Blade Sizes and Patient Heights on Video Laryngoscopic Views: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

This study aimed to compare the video laryngoscope views facilitated by curved blades 3 and 4 with an exploration of the relationship between these views and patient height. Conducted as a randomized controlled trial, this study enrolled adults scheduled for surgery under general anesthesia. Intubation procedures were recorded, and the percentage of glottic opening was measured before tube insertion. Multivariate analysis validated the impact of various factors, including blade size and patient height, on the percentage of glottic opening scores. A total of 192 patients were included. The median percentage of glottic opening scores for curved blades 3 and 4 were 100 and 83, respectively (p < 0.001). The unstandardized coefficient indicated a significant negative impact of blade 4 on the percentage of glottic opening scores (-13, p < 0.001). In the locally estimated scatterplot smoothing analysis, blade 3 exhibited a steady rise in glottic opening scores with increasing height, whereas blade 4 showed a peak followed by a decline around 185 cm. The unstandardized coefficient of height showed no significant association (0, p = 0.819). The study observed superior laryngoscopic views with blade 3 compared to blade 4. However, no significant association was found between laryngoscopic views and patient height.

Development of disease-specific growth charts for Korean children with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome.

Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is an epigenetic overgrowth syndrome. Despite its distinctive growth pattern, the detailed growth trajectories of children with BWS remain largely unknown. We retrospectively analyzed 413 anthropometric measurements over an average of 4.4 years of follow-up in 51 children with BWS. We constructed sex-specific percentile curves for height, weight, and head circumference using a generalized additive model for location, scale, and shape. Males with BWS exhibited greater height at all ages evaluated, weight before the age of 10, and head circumference before the age of 9 than those of the general population. Females with BWS showed greater height before the age of 7, weight before the age of 4.5, and head circumference before the age of 7 than those of the general population. At the latest follow-up visit at a mean 8.4 years of age, bone age was significantly higher than chronological age. Compared to paternal uniparental disomy (pUPD), males with imprinting center region 2-loss of methylation (IC2-LOM) had higher standard deviation score (SDS) for height and weight, while females with IC2-LOM showed larger SDS for head circumference. These disease-specific growth charts can serve as valuable tools for clinical monitoring of children with BWS.

Relations between maternal height, shoe size, and the success of vaginal delivery in birth weight over 4000 g.

OBJECTIVE: Macrosomia is associated with increased risk of fetal and maternal complications such as trauma during birth, cesarean delivery, postpartum hemorrhage, and shoulder dystocia. Sonographic estimation of fetal weight is imprecise particularly in excessively large fetuses, prompting the need for additional measures to assess the feasibility of vaginal delivery of a macrosomic newborn and thus improve prenatal consultation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective case-control study included women who delivered a singleton macrosomic newborn (birth weight>4,000 g), either vaginally (N = 762) or by urgent cesarean delivery during labor (N = 109). Using multivariable analysis, we examined correlations of maternal height≥170 cm and shoe size≥40 with successful vaginal delivery. RESULTS: Women who delivered vaginally had lower mean intrapartum BMI (p < 0.001) and lower rate of gestational diabetes (p = 0.003). Women with a shoe size≥40 were 2.2 times more likely to give birth vaginally. Cesarean section rate was 5.9 % among women with height≥170 cm and shoe size≥40; and 16.5 % among women with height<170 cm and shoe size<40. Multivariable analysis, adjusted for gestational diabetes, parity, and BMI, revealed that shoe size≥40 and maternal height≥170 cm correlated with success in vaginal delivery, OR = 3.1 (95%CI 1.3-7.3, p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Shoe size and maternal height may help predict success of vaginal birth of the macrosomic newborns.

Brazilian growth charts for Williams-Beuren Syndrome at ages 2 to 18 years.

OBJECTIVE: To develop growth charts for weight-for-age, height-for-age, and body mass index (BMI)-for-age for both genders aged 2 to 18 years for Brazilian patients with Williams-Beuren Syndrome (WBS). METHODS: This is a multicenter, retrospective, and longitudinal study, data were collected from the medical records of boys and girls with a confirmed diagnosis of WBS in three large university centers in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Growth charts stratified by gender and age in years were developed using LMSchartmaker Pro software. The LMS (Lambda Mu Sigma) method was used to model the charts . The quality of the settings was checked by worm plots. RESULTS: The first Brazilian growth charts for weight-for-age, height-for-age, and BMI-for-age stratified by gender were constructed for WBS patients aged 2 to 18 years. CONCLUSION: The growth charts developed in this study can help to guide family members and to improve the health care offered by health professionals.

Optimal Insertion Depth of Central Venous Catheter through the Right Internal Jugular Vein, Verified by Transesophageal Echocardiography: A Prospective Observational Study.

This prospective observational study investigated the optimal insertion depth of the central venous catheter through the right internal jugular vein using transesophageal echocardiography. After tracheal intubation, the anesthesiologist inserted a probe for esophageal echocardiography into the patient's esophagus. The investigators placed the catheter tip 2 cm above the superior edge of the crista terminalis with echocardiography, which was defined as the optimal point. We measured the inserted length of the catheter. Pearson correlation tests were performed with the measured optimal depth and some patient parameters. We made a new formula for placing the catheter at the optimal position. A total of 89 subjects were enrolled in this trial. The correlation coefficient between the measured optimal depth and the patient's parameters was the highest for patient height (0.703, p < 0.001). We made a new formula of 'height (cm)/10 - 1.5 cm'. The accuracy rate of this formula for the optimal zone was 71.9% (95% confidence interval; 62.4 - 81.4%), which was the highest among the previous formulas or guidelines when we compared. In conclusion, the central venous catheter tip was evaluated with transesophageal echocardiography, and we could make a new formula of 'height (cm)/10 - 1.5', which seemed to be better than other previous guidelines.

The effect of canakinumab treatment on growth parameters in children with familial Mediterranean fever.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of canakinumab on growth parameters in children with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). METHOD: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 946 pediatric FMF patients followed in our center, of whom 37 were treated with canakinumab for at least three doses. Patients were assessed for demographic, clinical, and genetic characteristics. Data of height and weight percentiles and Z scores were recorded before and after canakinumab treatment and compared. RESULTS: The study group comprised 37 FMF patients with treated canakinumab. The median age (IQR) at diagnosis and canakinumab initiation was 3.0 (2.0-4.3) years and 7.0 (3.6-10.1) years, respectively. The median weight scores and mean body mass index (BMI) values significantly increased after canakinumab treatment. There was no change in height scores following canakinumab treatment. CONCLUSION: Canakinumab treatment has improved off body weight and BMI parameters of FMF patients by controlling disease activity and inflammation. Key Points • To our knowledge, few studies in the literature evaluate the growth parameters of canakinumab treatment in FMF children. • Canakinumab treatment has been shown to affect body weight and BMI positively. • Long-term studies are needed for its effects on height.

Body height and spinal pain in adolescence: a cohort study from the Danish National Birth Cohort.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate how body height and trajectories of height from infancy through childhood and adolescence were associated with spinal pain in pre- and late adolescence. METHODS: This prospective study included 43,765 individuals born into The Danish National Birth Cohort (DNBC) from 1996 to 2003. DNBC-data were linked with health and social data identified from Statistics Denmark registers. Spinal pain was self-reported in both the 11-year- and 18-year follow-up of DNBC and classified according to severity. Body height was measured from birth and onwards and further modelled as distinct developmental height trajectories by using latent growth curve modelling. Associations were estimated by using multinomial logistic regression models. RESULTS: Taller body height in childhood and adolescence was associated with approximately 20% increased likelihood of spinal pain in pre- and late adolescence among girls compared to their peers in the normal height group. For boys, taller body height was associated with spinal pain by late adolescence only. Spinal pain in pre-adolescence almost doubled the likelihood of spinal pain in late adolescence regardless of body height at age 18. Height trajectories confirmed the relationship for girls with the tall individuals being most likely to have spinal pain in both pre- and late adolescence. CONCLUSION: Tall body height during childhood and adolescence predisposes to spinal pain among girls in both pre-and late adolescence, and among boys in late adolescence. Body height is a contributing factor to the pathogenesis of spinal pain in adolescence; however, the mechanisms may be related to growth velocity, but for now uncertain.

Liver Size and its Correlation with Anthropometric Parameters and Age / El Tamaño del Hígado y su Correlación con los Parámetros Antropométricos y la Edad

SUMMARY: The liver has over 500 physiological and biochemical roles in our organism so checking of liver size and function is a part of every clinical examination. Aim of our research was to estimate liver size on computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen images and to determinate relations between liver dimensions and anthropometric parameters. The research included 99 patients, 49 men and 50 women, who were referred for CT of abdomen. We measured body height (BH) and body mass (BM), and calculated body mass index (BMI) and body surface area (BSA). Also, on CT images we measured anteroposterior (AP), laterolateral (LL) and two craniocaudal liver diameters (one at the level of midclavicular line - CCmcl, and the other was maximal - CCmax). Liver volume (LV) was calculated with formula. Our results showed that AP diameter positively correlated with BSA (r=0.30) in women. LL diameter positively correlated with BH (r=0.43), and BSA (0.31) in men. CCmcl diameter positively correlated with BH (r=0.33), BM (r=0.31), and BSA (r=0.34) in men, while in women it correlated only with BH (r=0.38). CCmax diameter positively correlated with BH (r=0.33) and BSA (r=0.33) in men. LV positively correlated with BH and BSA in both men (r=0.36, r=0.33, respectively) and women (r=0.42, r=0.31, respectively), and in men also with BM (r=0.34). LL, CCmcl, CCmax, and LV negatively correlated with aging in both sexes After the age of 60, there was a decrease in size of LL, CC diameters, as well as in LV. We concluded that liver dimensions decrease with aging, regardless of sex at the expanse of LL and CC diameters which are related to the size of body parameters, so that for a precise evaluation of liver size all three diameters should be measured, LV as well as BH, BM, and BSA.

El hígado desempeña más de 500 funciones fisiológicas y bioquímicas en nuestro organismo, por lo que comprobar el tamaño y la función de este órgano es parte de cada examen clínico. El objetivo de nuestra investigación fue estimar el tamaño del hígado mediante tomografía computarizada (TC) de imágenes del abdomen y determinar las relaciones entre las dimensiones del hígado y los parámetros antropométricos. La investigación incluyó a 99 pacientes, 49 hombres y 50 mujeres, que fueron remitidos para TC de abdomen. Medimos la altura corporal (BH) y la masa corporal (BM), y calculamos el índice de masa corporal (IMC) y el área de superficie corporal (BSA). Además, en las imágenes de TC medimos los diámetros hepáticos anteroposterior (AP), laterolateral (LL) y dos craneocaudales (uno a nivel de la línea medioclavicular - CCmcl, y el diámetro máximo - CCmax). El volumen del hígado (VI) se calculó con una fórmula. Nuestros resultados mostraron que el diámetro AP se correlacionó positivamente con BSA (r = 0,30) en mujeres. El diámetro de LL se correlacionó positivamente con BH (r=0,43) y BSA (0,31) en hombres. El diámetro CCmcl se correlacionó positivamente con BH (r=0,33), BM (r=0,31) y BSA (r=0,34) en hombres, mientras que en mujeres se correlacionó solo con BH (r=0,38). El diámetro CCmax se correlacionó positivamente con BH (r=0,33) y BSA (r=0,33) en hombres. El VI se correlacionó positivamente con BH y BSA tanto en hombres (r=0,36, r=0,33, respectivamente) como en mujeres (r=0,42, r=0,31, respectivamente), y en hombres también con BM (r=0,34). LL, CCmcl, CCmax y LV se correlacionaron negativamente con el envejecimiento en ambos sexos. Después de los 60 años, hubo una disminución en el tamaño de los diámetros LL, CC y LV. Concluimos que las dimensiones del hígado disminuyen con la edad, independientemente del sexo, en la extensión de los diámetros LL y CC que están relacionados con el tamaño de los parámetros corporales, por lo que para una evaluación precisa del tamaño del hígado se debe medir LV como BH, BM y BSA.

The impact of anthropometric measures on plantar pressure distribution in male handball players and non-athletes: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Increasing body anthropometry brings substantial spinal stress, which influences the spinal curvatures; this in turn may affect the foot plantar pressure distribution. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the impact of body anthropometry on static plantar pressure distribution and their relationship among handball players and non-athletes subjects. METHODS: Thirty handball players aged from 21 to 26 years, and thirty age-matched non-athletes subjects aged from 21 to 28 years participated in this study. The spinal lordosis and kyphosis angles, trunk length, pelvic tilting, and pelvic rotation were evaluated using Formetric 4-dimensions and the Pedoscan device was used to assess the plantar pressure distribution. RESULTS: The handball players were significantly taller, heavier, and have a long trunk length than non-athletes group (p < 0.05), and a significantly increased thoracic kyphosis, forefeet pressure distribution compared to non-athletes group (p < 0.05). The handball players had a significantly increased forefeet pressure distribution compared to the rearfeet pressure distribution (p < 0.05), a high positive correlation between body height, and both trunk length and kyphosis angle (r = 0.932, 0.665 respectively), and the body height showed a high positive correlation with the forefeet pressure distribution (r = 0.665). There was a high positive correlation between the handball players' thoracic kyphosis and forefeet pressure distribution (r = 0.751). CONCLUSION: Increasing the handball players' body height was related to increased thoracic kyphosis and forefeet pressure distribution compared to non-athletes subjects. Additionally, the kyphotic posture of handball players is associated with increasing the total forefeet pressure distribution compared to the total rearfeet pressure distribution.

Age-Dependent Association of Height Loss with Incident Fracture Risk in Postmenopausal Korean Women.

BACKGRUOUND: Height loss is a simple clinical measure associated with increased fracture risk. However, limited data exists on the association between height loss and fracture risk in postmenopausal Korean women. It is unknown whether this association varies with age. METHODS: Data on height loss over a 6-year period were collected from a community-based longitudinal follow-up cohort (Ansung cohort of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study). Incident fractures were defined based on self-reported fractures after excluding those due to severe trauma or toes/fingers. The association between incident fractures and height loss was investigated using a Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 10 years after the second visit, 259/1,806 participants (median age, 64 years) experienced incident fractures. Overall, a 1 standard deviation (SD) decrease in height (1.6 cm/median 5.8 years) was associated with 9% increased risk of fracture (hazard ratio [HR], 1.09; P=0.037), which lost statistical significance after adjustment for covariates. When stratified into age groups (50-59, 60-69, 70 years or older), a 1 SD decrease in height remained a robust predictor of fracture in the 50 to 59 years age group after adjusting for covariates (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.52; P=0.003), whereas height loss was not an independent predictor of fracture in the 60 to 69 (aHR, 1.06; P=0.333) or the 70 years or older age groups (aHR, 1.05; P=0.700; P for interaction <0.05, for all). CONCLUSION: Height loss during the previous 6 years was associated with an increased 10-year fracture risk in postmenopausal women in their 50s.

The effect of zinc supplementation on anthropometric measurements in healthy children over two years: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Zinc deficiency is one of the most important micronutrient deficiencies in children that can affect the children's growth pattern. In this regard, different studies were conducted to assess the effect of zinc supplementation on growth patterns in healthy children. To the best of our knowledge, no systematic review has summarized the results of these studies. So, in the present study, we systematically reviewed the result of the studies that assessed the effect of zinc supplementation on anthropometric parameters in healthy, over 2-year-old children. METHODS: A systematic search was carried out in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science from inception to November 2021. Data were pooled using the random-effects method and were expressed as weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: The pooled results of eight studies, including 1586 participants, showed that zinc supplementation significantly increases height [(WMD): 0.9, 95% CI: (0.27, 1.52), p < 0.001], weight [(WMD): 0.51, 95% CI: (0.06, 0.97), p < 0.001], height for age (HAZ) [(WMD): 0.07, 95% CI: (0.03, 0.10), p < 0.001]. Also, meta-regression analysis did not reveal any significant association between dose and duration of intervention and anthropometric parameters. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates the beneficial effects of zinc supplementation on weight, height, and HAZ.

The height premium: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The taller people are, the more money they tend to earn. This phenomenon is widely known as the height premium. However, it is not yet known whether the height premium is universal, or whether it varies by context. To that end, a systematic review of the literature was performed. Five databases were searched until August 2020. Ultimately, a list of 42 studies were included in a narrative synthesis, and 17 studies were included in a meta-analysis. Based on the meta-analysis, we found evidence that the height premium varied by context: the height premium was smaller in the U.S. and Australia, and larger in Latin America and Asia. Within geographies, there appeared to be a larger height premium for men than for women. Cultural factors, labor market structures and biology may play a role in determining the strength of the height premium.

Height and Growth Velocity in Children and Adolescents Undergoing Obesity Treatment: A Prospective Cohort Study.

CONTEXT: Pediatric obesity affects endocrine conditions, which may alter growth. OBJECTIVE: This work aimed to investigate the effect of obesity severity and obesity treatment outcome on growth. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included children (aged 3-18 years) enrolled in the Swedish Childhood Obesity Treatment Register (BORIS) (1998-2020). Obesity was categorized as class I and class II obesity. Obesity treatment outcome was measured as body mass index (BMI) z score changes and categorized into good (BMI z score reduction of ≥0.25), intermediate, and poor (increasing BMI z score). Height for age z score, final height, and growth velocity were compared between class I and class II obesity. Further, the effect of obesity treatment outcome on growth velocity during 2-year follow-up was assessed. RESULTS: A total of 27 997 individuals (mean age 10.2 ± 3.6 years) were included. Individuals with class II obesity were on average taller than those with class I obesity during childhood. Among males, reduced growth spurt was observed in class I obesity, and even absent in class II obesity. Females exhibited a similar but less pronounced pattern. Good obesity treatment outcome yielded lower growth velocity at ages 3 to 9 years but higher growth velocity at ages 10 to 13 years compared to poor treatment outcome. CONCLUSION: Obesity severity is positively associated with height and growth velocity in childhood. A hampered growth spurt during puberty should be anticipated, particularly in adolescents with severe obesity. Therefore no difference in final height between class I and class II obesity is expected. Successful obesity treatment does not harm, but rather normalizes, the growth velocity pattern.