Modelling height in adolescence: a comparison of methods for estimating the age at peak height velocity.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Controlling for maturational status and timing is crucial in lifecourse epidemiology. One popular non-invasive measure of maturity is the age at peak height velocity (PHV). There are several ways to estimate age at PHV, but it is unclear which of these to use in practice.

Aim

To find the optimal approach for estimating age at PHV.

Subjects and methods

Methods included the Preece & Baines non-linear growth model, multi-level models with fractional polynomials, SuperImposition by Translation And Rotation (SITAR) and functional data analysis. These were compared through a simulation study and using data from a large cohort of adolescent boys from the Christ's Hospital School.

Results

The SITAR model gave close to unbiased estimates of age at PHV, but co

SUBMITTER: Simpkin AJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5743008 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature