Secular trend in height and associated factors among adolescents in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil, between 2007 and 2017/2018

TL;DR

This study found that adolescents in Florianópolis grew taller over a decade, with factors like fat-free mass and physical activity influencing height.

Contribution

The study identifies specific factors influencing height trends in Brazilian adolescents over a ten-year period.

Findings

Adolescents showed an average height increase of 3.5 cm over ten years.

Fat-free mass positively predicts height, while body fat negatively predicts height in both sexes.

Physical activity negatively predicts height in boys.

Abstract

To assess the secular trend in height among adolescents in Florianópolis between 2007 and 2017/2018, and identify factors associated with height by sex.

The sample included 664 adolescents from public schools in 2007 and 1,008 in 2017/2018. Height was the dependent variable, with age, economic status, sexual maturity, physical activity, body fat (skinfold thickness), and fat-free mass as independent variables. Analysis of covariance evaluated the secular trend, and multiple linear regression identified associated factors.

There was a positive secular trend in height in both sexes when comparing the two surveys, with average increases of 3.5 cm in both sexes. Fat-free mass was a positive predictor and body fat was a negative predictor of height in both sexes. Additionally, physical activity emerged as a negative predictor of height specifically in boys.

The research revealed a positive secular trend in the height of adolescents in Florianópolis. Fat-free mass contributes positively to gains in height, whereas body fat provides a negative contribution.

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