Background: Childhood obesity is a major health concern. Excess adiposity during childhood affects growth and puberty. Our aim was to assess whether genetic adult height is compromised in adolescents with obesity.
Methods: In a retrospective study of 190 obese patients followed at our Pediatric Endocrinology Institute, adult height and delta height (the difference between adult height and mid-parental height) were compared to those of 150 healthy age-matched normal-weight controls. Review of medical files yielded the relevant clinical and anthropometric data of patients, controls and parents.
Results: Of the 190 obese adolescents, 150 were morbidly obese. Median adult height of morbidly obese males was 174.3cm, of obese males 174cm, and of normal-weight males 176 cm, P= .025. Delta height of morbidly obese males was -0.5cm, of obese males -0.8cm and of normal-weight males, 3cm, P<.0001. Median adult height of morbidly obese females was 161.3 cm, of obese females 162.8cm and of normal-weight females 162cm, P= .37. Delta height of morbidly obese females was -1.85cm, of obese females -0.95cm and of normal-weight females, 0.7cm, P=.019. Impairment of potential genetic height was not associated with obesity-related comorbidities.
Conclusion: Adolescents with obesity showed impairment of potential genetic adult height, as compared to that of normal-weight subjects.
