Plasticity in the growth of body segments in relation to height-for-age and maternal education in Guatemala.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Plasticity in the growth of body segments between populations has been researched in relation to migration, temporal change and high-altitude studies. We study the within population variation in body segments, thus controlling for some of the environmental and genetic differences that could be at play in between populations studies. We test a version of the thrifty phenotype hypothesis, where the growth of head-trunk and hand are prioritized due to their functional significance over height and leg growth.

Materials and methods

A total of 3913 Guatemalan, rural, semi-urban and urban, Maya and Ladino children 6 to 15 years old were studied. Height, sitting height, leg length, and metacarpal length were studied in relation to three proxies for living conditions: heig

SUBMITTER: Rios L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7507214 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature