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. 2025 May 2:43:e2024159.
doi: 10.1590/1984-0462/2025/43/2024159. eCollection 2025.

Secular trend in height and associated factors among adolescents in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil, between 2007 and 2017/2018

Clair Costa Miranda  1 , Jean Carlos Parmigiani De Marco  1 , André de Araújo Pinto  2 , Andreia Pelegrini  1
Affiliations

Secular trend in height and associated factors among adolescents in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil, between 2007 and 2017/2018

Clair Costa Miranda et al. Rev Paul Pediatr. .

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Objective: To assess the secular trend in height among adolescents in Florianópolis between 2007 and 2017/2018, and identify factors associated with height by sex.

Methods: The sample included 664 adolescents from public schools in 2007 and 1,008 in 2017/2018. Height was the dependent variable, with age, economic status, sexual maturity, physical activity, body fat (skinfold thickness), and fat-free mass as independent variables. Analysis of covariance evaluated the secular trend, and multiple linear regression identified associated factors.

Results: There was a positive secular trend in height in both sexes when comparing the two surveys, with average increases of 3.5 cm in both sexes. Fat-free mass was a positive predictor and body fat was a negative predictor of height in both sexes. Additionally, physical activity emerged as a negative predictor of height specifically in boys.

Conclusions: The research revealed a positive secular trend in the height of adolescents in Florianópolis. Fat-free mass contributes positively to gains in height, whereas body fat provides a negative contribution.

Objetivo: Avaliar a tendência secular da estatura entre adolescentes de Florianópolis entre 2007 e 2017/2018 e identificar fatores associados à estatura de acordo com o sexo.

Métodos: A amostra incluiu 664 adolescentes de escolas públicas em 2007 e 1.008 em 2017/2018. A estatura foi a variável dependente, sendo idade, nível econômico, maturação sexual, atividade física, gordura corporal (dobras cutâneas) e massa livre de gordura as variáveis independentes. A análise de covariância avaliou a tendência secular e a regressão linear múltipla identificou fatores associados.

Resultados: Observou-se tendência secular positiva na estatura em ambos os sexos na comparação dos dois inquéritos, com incrementos médios de 3,5 cm em ambos os dados. A massa livre de gordura foi um preditor positivo, enquanto a gordura corporal foi um preditor negativo da altura em ambos os sexos. Além disso, a atividade física surgiu como preditor negativo da altura especificamente nos meninos.

Conclusões: A pesquisa revelou tendência secular positiva na altura de adolescentes de Florianópolis. A massa livre de gordura contribui positivamente para o ganho de estatura, enquanto a gordura corporal contribui negativamente.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interests: The authors declare that is no conflict of interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Differences in median height throughout adolescence according to the survey, by age, in boys.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Differences in median height throughout adolescence according to the survey, by age, in girls.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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