Robust Growth Modelling Approach to Characterise Pubertal Development and Its Associations with Adult Health Outcomes

Venue: STEM event space 3.1, Colchester campus

Abstract:

Have you ever considered whether, and how, the timing and velocity of pubertal growth shape health later in life? Puberty is a pivotal phase in the life course, marked by complex and heterogeneous biological changes. Characteristics of pubertal growth have been linked to important adult health outcomes, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular mortality. However, reliably measuring and comparing pubertal growth patterns in large population-based studies remains challenging.

In this work, we applied a robust growth-modelling approach to characterise pubertal growth trajectories in approximately 10,000 individuals. Participants were drawn from a large, population-based birth cohort study (ALSPAC, initiated in 1991), in which mothers and their live-born offspring were prospectively followed from before birth into adulthood of the children.

Using repeated height measurements collected throughout childhood and adolescence, we modelled individual pubertal growth patterns, including the timing and intensity of the pubertal growth spurt. This approach enabled us to capture meaningful inter-individual differences in pubertal development within a large and diverse population.

We then used these pubertal growth measures to examine their associations with lung function in early adulthood, around the period when lung function reaches its physiological plateau. To better understand lung function development across the life course, we incorporated additional characteristics, including physical activity, body mass, and body composition, as well as early-life and socioeconomic factors.

This work highlights puberty as a critical life-course window for understanding variation in maximally attained lung function and for identifying opportunities to improve long-term respiratory health. Our methodological approach is transferable to the study of other adult health outcomes.

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About the ARMS seminar series:

The Advanced Research Methodologies in Health and Biomedical Sciences (ARMS) seminar series provides a space for researchers to share specific methodologies they are using in the context of health and biomedical sciences. These seminars will address a range of methodologies including quantitative methodologies, biostatistics, data visualisation, storytelling presentations, qualitative methodologies, meta-analysis, topics in replication and reproducibility, development of dynamic reporting and dashboards.