Twin children in The Gambia: evidence for genetic regulation of physical characteristics in the presence of sub-optimal nutrition

Abstract

It has been demonstrated that physical growth characteristics are subject to genetic regulation. However, in developing countries, environmental factors such as food availability and frequent infections are associated with growth faltering which is particularly marked in infancy. We have conducted anthropometric measurements of a cohort of twin children aged less than 14 years living in a rural area of The Gambia to ascertain the extent to which genetic factors influence physical growth in the presence of a sub-optimal diet. Almost 25% of the children were more than 2SD below the median of the reference population in terms of their height-for-age Z score, indicating a marked level of undernutrition. Nevertheless, the within-pair variances were significantly less for monozygous than for dizygous twin pairs for the following variables: height, head circumference and body mass index (p < 0.01); weight (p < 0.02) and mid upper arm circumference (p < 0.1), indicating that there is a strong genetic influence on growth regulation despite the sub-optimal nutrition.

Actual exclusive breastfeeding rates and determinants among a cohort of children living in Gampaha district Sri Lanka: A prospective observational study

“…The theory behind MGRS was that ‘growth of children from birth to five years depends mainly on nutrition, feeding practices, environment and health care than genetics or ethnicity [12]. Some studies have shown that genetic factors do play a role in determining growth of a child [13]. Two studies from Sri Lanka, recorded the mean birth weight of Sri Lankan children to be 2.8 and 2.9 kg respectively [14,15].…”

Final adult height of children with inflammatory bowel disease is predicted by parental height and patient minimum height Z-score

“…Prior analyses of adult height in family and twin studies in the general population have shown that heritability of growth pattern ranges from 76-90%,15-18 and even under conditions of malnutrition heritability remains high 19. Hence, parental heights may be key determinants of final adult heights in pediatric IBD patients.…”

Association of maternal short stature with stunting in Mexican children: common genes vs common environment

“…Stature is a heritable morphologic characteristic which can be considered the phenotypic expression of genetic endowment and childhood environment (Tanner, 1960;Jepson et al, 1994;Rivera et al, 1995;Martorell et al, 1988). To the degree that mothers express their genetic potential, maternal height provides information about growth potential in the child (Tanner et al, 1970).…”