Do components of adult height predict body composition and cardiometabolic risk in a young adult South Asian Indian population? Findings from a hospital-based cohort study in Pune, India: Pune Children’s Study

Abstract

ObjectivesWe investigated whether the relationship between components of height and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk may be explained by body composition. We also examined relationships between parental heights and offspring CVD risk.DesignA cohort study using cross-sectional data.SettingA secondary care hospital setting in Pune, India.ParticipantsWe studied 357 young adults and their parents in the Pune Children’s Study. Primary and secondary outcomes: we measured weight, total height, leg length, sitting height, plasma glucose, insulin and lipids, and blood pressure (BP). Total and regional lean and fat mass were measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry.ResultsLeg length was inversely related, and sitting height was directly related to BMI. Total height and leg length were directly related to lean mass, while sitting height was directly related to both lean and fat mass. Leg length was inversely related to systolic BP and 120 min glucose, independent of lean and fat mass. Sitting height was directly related to systolic BP and triglycerides; these relationships were attenuated on adjustment for lean and fat mass. When examined simultaneously, greater leg length was protective and greater sitting height was associated with a more detrimental CVD risk profile.ConclusionsShorter adult leg length and greater sitting height are associated with a more adverse CVD risk factor profile. The mechanisms need further study, but our findings suggest a role for lean and fat mass.

First 1000 days - a potential explanatory factor for Risk of hypertension in undernourished populations: Pune Rural Cohort

“…In that case, the ratio of two height components is a better predictor of the risk of HTN than considering them singly. Superiority of the ratio has been shown earlier in case of adolescents (36) and young adults too (37). It is beyond doubt that the timing, severity and duration of nutritional insults during growth will affect differently SHT and LEGT resulting into different patterns of stunting and wasting across individuals and populations (11).…”

Implications of leg length for metabolic health and fitness

“…Longitudinal studies are needed to further elucidate how different growth periods shape aspects of adult phenotype, including organs, SMM and pelvis size. Although leg length–adult health associations have been similarly documented in differentially affluent populations [ 48 ], there has been some inconsistency across countries [ 49 ] and additional work is needed to understand global variation in the manifestation of these associations and their potential causes. Finally, our data do not allow us to disentangle the degree to which observed associations are influenced by plasticity, genetics, epigenetics, other factors or a combination of factors, and this is clearly a critical question for further research.…”