Decreased stature associated with moderate blood lead concentrations in Mexican-American children

Article Abstract:

Several studies have attempted to determine the relationship between lead poisoning and growth retardation. Some studies have reported that growth retardation is associated with moderate to high blood levels of lead, while other studies have not found a relationship between lead poisoning and growth retardation. It has been reported that high lead concentrations in the blood are associated with poor socioeconomic conditions. Data from the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HHANES), which was performed between 1982 and 1984, indicate that Mexican-American youths have showed improvements in weight gain, and the increase in weight gain has been attributed to improved socioeconomic conditions. Data from the HHANES were used to examine the relationship between blood lead concentrations and growth in Mexican-American children. Blood test results and growth (height) measurements were available for 1,454 children between the ages of 5 and 12. The children were divided into the following four groups based on sex and blood test results: males with low blood levels of lead; males with high lead levels; females with low lead levels; and females with high lead levels. For each age group studied, and for both sexes, the children with lower blood lead levels were taller than those with high blood lead levels. Dietary deficiencies in iron and calcium have been reported to increase the absorption of lead in the body. Therefore, nutritional deficiencies may contribute to growth retardation when increased absorption of lead occurs. The blood levels of lead associated with growth retardation in this study were significantly lower than the standard established by the Centers for Disease Control. It is concluded that growth retardation may be associated with only moderate levels of lead in the blood and that the allowable exposure levels may need reevaluation. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Measurement, Complications and side effects, Growth, Stature, Body height, Lead poisoning, Lead in the body, Mexican American children

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Fat-free mass in relation to stature: ratios of fat-free mass to height in children, adults, and elderly subjects

Article Abstract:

Previous studies have reported that fat-free body mass (FFM) remains relatively constant throughout adult life. Differences in FFM have been reported to be associated with age, gender and body stature. To determine the relationships among age, gender, body stature and FFM, 1,103 healthy volunteers were evaluated over a 20-year study period. The preadolescent and adolescent years were associated with significant increases in FFM based on height (FFM:ht, or FFM-to-height ratio). This pattern of growth was observed to last longer in boys than in girls, resulting in gender differences in FFM beginning at the age of 16 and continuing through adulthood. After the age of 16, the ratio of FFM:ht is lower in women than in men, indicating that women have less FFM than men when height is taken into account. For men, FFM was greatest between the ages of 19 and 22, and a trend toward a decline in FFM:ht in men began at age 60, although this effect was not significant. For women, FFM gradually increased between the ages of 16 and 50, and after the age of 50, a significant decline in FFM:ht was observed. This study confirms and extends the results of previous studies showing that age, gender and stature influence FFM. The data generated in this study, for FFM:ht in a healthy population, may be useful to nutritionists and clinicians for evaluating the health status of their patients. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Demographic aspects, Body composition

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A growth-limiting, mild zinc-deficiency syndrome in some southern Ontario boys with low height percentiles

Article Abstract:

The effects of a zinc dietary supplement on linear growth, taste acuity, attention span, biochemistry, and energy intake was studied in 60 boys aged five to seven years. All the boys had heights below the 15th percentile and parent heights above the 25th percentile. Boys who initially had less than 1.7 micromoles of zinc in every gram of hair were lighter for their age and had less sensitive taste for salt. Only boys with initial hair zinc levels under 1.7 micromoles per gram responded to the zinc supplement by becoming taller for their age. However, their taste acuity, energy intake, and attention span were unaffected. It was concluded that a growth-limiting zinc deficiency exists in boys who are short for their age, have small concentrations of zinc in their hair, and whose taste sensitivity is impaired.

Health aspects, Analysis, Case studies, Ontario, Hair, Taste disorders, Zinc deficiency diseases

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