Preece-Baines Model 1 to Estimate Height and Knee Height Growth in Boys and Girls from Merida, Mexico

Abstract

Background: Height and body segments in children have differential pubertal growth characteristics. Lower leg length is a sensitive indicator of child's nutritional status. Objective: The purpose of this study was to estimate differential timing and tempo of height and knee height (KH) growth in 9- to 17-year-old boys (n = 475) and girls (n = 500) from Merida, Mexico. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the Preece-Baines growth curves - model 1 (PB 1) was fitted to the anthropometric data for height and KH. Results: Based on the PB 1 model, KH had earlier age at maximum increment than height in boys (height = 12.37 years, KH = 11.54 years) and girls (height = 11.01 years, KH = 10.93 years). Peak velocity of these 2 dimensions was different in both sexes (boys: height = 7.11 cm/yr, KH = 2.25 cm/yr; girls: height = 5.14 cm/yr, KH = 1.45 cm/yr). Differences (P