Early childhood growth trajectory and later cognitive ability: evidence from a large prospective birth cohort of healthy term-born children

Abstract

Background Most studies of associations between child growth and cognitive ability were based on size at one or two ages and a single measure of cognition. We aimed to characterize different aspects of early growth and their associations with cognitive outcomes in childhood through adolescence. Methods In a sample of 12 368 Belarusian children born at term, we examined associations of length/height and weight trajectories over the first 6.5 years of life with cognitive ability at 6.5 and 16 years and its change over time. We estimated growth trajectories using two random-effects models—the SuperImposition by Translation and Rotation to model overall patterns of growth and the Jenss-Bayley to distinguish growth in infancy from post infancy. Cognitive ability was measured using the Wechsler Abbreviated Scales of Intelligence at 6.5 years and the computerized NeuroTrax test at 16 years. Results Higher length/height between birth and 6.5 years was associated with higher cognitive scores at 6.5 and 16 years {2.7 points [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.1, 3.2] and 2.5 points [95% CI: 1.9, 3.0], respectively, per standard deviation [SD] increase}. A 1-SD delay in the childhood height-growth spurt was negatively associated with cognitive scores [–2.4 (95% CI: –3.0, –1.8) at age 6.5; –2.2 (95% CI: –2.7, –1.6) at 16 years]. Birth size and post-infancy growth velocity were positively associated with cognitive scores at both ages. Height trajectories were not associated with the change in cognitive score. Similar results were observed for weight trajectories. Conclusions Among term infants, the overall size, timing of the childhood growth spurt, size at birth and post-infancy growth velocity were all associated with cognitive ability at early-school age and adolescence.

Mung Bean Protein Suppresses Undernutrition-Induced Growth Deficits and Cognitive Dysfunction in Rats via Gut Microbiota-TLR4/NF-kB Pathway

“…The weight-to-length measurement is widely used to evaluate the growth status in children and was related to cognitive performance in adolescence . Therefore, the weight-to-tail length ratio was validated as an indicator of the rat growth status.…”

“…The weight-to-length measurement is widely used to evaluate the growth status in children and was related to cognitive performance in adolescence. 21 Therefore, the weight-to-tail length ratio was validated as an indicator of the rat growth status. After 6 weeks, rats fed MBPD exhibited a significantly increased body weight and tail length compared to those fed diets supplemented with 7% protein (Figure 1a).…”

Sex-related associations between body height and cognitive impairment among low-income elderly adults in rural China: a population-based cross-sectional study

“…The Honolulu–Asia Aging Study suggested that height in middle life was a marker of childhood growth and was associated with dementia and cognitive impairment among elderly Japanese–American men living in Hawaii [ 7 ]. In a large Belarusian prospective birth cohort study, a taller height between birth and age 6.5 years was associated with higher cognitive scores at age 16 years, with a 2.5-point (95% CI 1.9, 3.0) per standard deviation increase [ 21 ]. Most studies in Western countries have suggested that height is associated with cognitive function in older age.…”

Motor skills and cognitive benefits in children and adolescents: Relationship, mechanism and perspectives

“…Cognition refers to the process in which individuals extract, process, and store information ( Bayne et al, 2019 ). It is the representation of the interconnection and interaction between objective things ( Ahmed et al, 2020 ). Cognition usually includes perception, attention, memory, thinking, and imagination ( Shao, 2019 ).…”

“…In particular, children and adolescents are the golden age of cognitive development. The level of cognitive development at this stage is of great significance to individual academic performance, mental health, and social development in adulthood ( Blakemore and Choudhury, 2006 ; Ahmed et al, 2020 ). For example, fluid intelligence and executive function are closely related to the academic performance and acquired achievement of children and adolescents ( Graham et al, 2017 ; Tikhomirova et al, 2020 ).…”