Recent Advances in Growth Research: Nutritional, Molecular and Endocrine Perspectives

Growth in mammals encompasses several stages, from intrauterine growth through infancy and childhood to adolescence. Each of these phases is characterized by very specific nutritional, molecular and endocrine perspectives which, under ideal conditions, allow the organism to achieve its genetically programmed growth patterns. In this book, an international panel of experts addresses these topics in a historical, physiological and social perspective. The first part investigates the genetic, epigenetic, molecular and nutritional determinants of intrauterine and postnatal growth. Part two deals with non-evolutionary changes which occurred in the recent past, such as changes in body size in utero, during infancy and childhood, and during adolescence, and the potentially unfavorable consequences of enhanced nutrition and growth, including early onset of puberty, development of obesity, and increases in metabolic and cardiovascular disease. The last part addresses the question of which factors define healthy growth in light of the influence of nutritional, molecular and endocrine influences. Although the association between rapid changes in body size and adverse health effects is clear, the precise nature of causality remains uncertain. Presenting the latest scientific findings in growth research, this publication provides essential reading for pediatricians, clinical investigators and health workers.

Contenu

Preface; Foreword; Contributors; Drivers of Growth; Early Influences of Nutrition on Fetal Growth: Makrides, M.; Anderson, A.; Gibson, R.A.; Early Influences of Nutrition on Postnatal Growth: Koletzko, B.; Beyer, J.; Brands, B.; Demmeimair, H.; Grote, V.; Haile, G.; Gruszfeld, D.; Rzehak, P.; Socha, P.; Weber, M.; for The European Childhood Obesity Trial Study Group; Genome-Wide Association Studies of Human Growth Traits: Weedon, M.N.; Discussion on Nutrition and Genetics: Clark, A.J.L.; IGF-I in Human Growth: Lessons from Defects in the GH-IGF-I Axis: Hwa, V.; Fang, P.; Derr, M.A.; Fiegerlova, E.; Rosenfeld, R.G.; Non-Imprinted Epigenetics in Fetal and Postnatal Development and Growth: Godfrey, K.M.; Lillycrop, K.A.; Burdge, G.C.; Gluckman, P.D.; Hanson, M.A.; Epigenetic Anomalies in Childhood Growth Disorders: Netchine, I.; Rossignol, S.; Azzi, S.; Le Bouc, Y.; Early Growth and Development of Later Life Metabolic Disorders: Foo, J.-P.; Mantzoros, C.; Summary on Drivers of Growth: Gluckman, P.D.; Secular Trends in Growth; Human Growth: Evolutionary and Life History Perspectives: Gluckman, P.D.; Beedle, A.S.; Hanson, M.A.; Low, F.M.; Secular Trends in Birthweight: Oken, E.; Secular Changes in Childhood, Adolescent and Adult Stature: Bogin, B.; Discussion on Human Biology in Motion: Ellison, P.T.; Economic Drivers and Consequences of Stunting: Alderman, H.; Discussion on Economic Drivers and Consequences of Stunting: Adair, L.S.; Epidemiologic Transitions: Migration and Development of Obesity and Cardiometabolic Disease in the Developing World: Forrester, T.; Discussion on Migration and Development of Obesity and Cardiometabolic Disease in the Developing World: Adair, L.S.; What Is Healthy Growth?; State of the Art of Growth Standards: Weaver, L.T.; Healthy Infant Growth: What Are the Trade-Offs in the Developed World? Belfort, M.B.; Gillman, M.W.; Discussion on Growth Standards and Trade-Offs in Healthy Infant Growth: Law, C.; Relationship between Childhood Growth and Later Outcomes: Ferraro, A.A.; Bechere Fernandes, M.T.; Public Policy Implications of Promoting Growth: Wise, P.H.; Pharmacological Interventions for Short Stature: Pros and Cons: Rosenfeld, R.G.; Discussion on Childhood Growth and Later Outcomes, Policy Implications and Treatment of Short Stature: Stein, A.D.; Concluding Remarks.