Human Biology and Public Health
type: channel
description: Human Biology and Public Health is the official journal of the Auxological Society in cooperation with the German Society for Public Health and Population Medicine . The purpose of the journal is to bridge the gap between an individual medical/clinical perspective of public health and the population-based perspectives of human biology. We consider human biology as the study of the genetic, environmental, and cultural determinants of biological variability in living people, and public health as the science of health protection, health promotion, and health communication. The focus is on how the human species evolved, how individual humans change over the lifespan (growth, maturation and development), how humans adapt to environment and external stressors, and how human biology and culture interact to shape the wide range of normal variation in the biology and behavior of the human species. Both Human Biology and Public Health research contribute to risks for disease, with a cross-cultural, historical, and evolutionary perspective. All content in this journal is assigned a DOI by Crossref, and its metadata is submitted to DOAJ. The content is indexed by Google Scholar and OpenAlex. Citation statistics
publisher: Auxological Society
language: en
publication name: Human Biology and Public Health
issn: 2748-9957
items: Association between alcohol consumption, smoking and bone tissue quality in Slovak young adults assessed by radial quantitative ultrasound
items: Evaluating the role of anthropometric and genetic risk factors in ACL injury susceptibility across an Australian and South African cohort
items: Physical activity, health-related physical fitness and markers of metabolic syndrome in adolescents: The PAHL-study
items: Reference values for short term height velocity – a brief practical guide
items: Tutorial: Statistics for Human Biologists - Terminology and Univariate Statistics
items: Human growth regulation is dominated by the socio-cultural exposome
items: The role of geographical isolation in children’s growth
items: Short sleep duration is linked with short stature and delayed age of menarche in Indonesian boarding school girls
items: Association between frequency of energy drink consumption and bone tissue quality in Slovak young adults
items: No correlation between HSPG2 genetic variants and anthropometric characteristics within an ACL rupture risk modelling study
items: The Impact of a 10% Tax Rate and Redistribution on Resource Concentration in Networks
items: A review of 100 years of syphilis in Austria from 1921 to 2021.
items: Human growth and development across time and space
items: Turkish migrants adjust body height during adolescence to the host community in Germany
items: Editorial - 7th International Students Summer School on Human Growth - Data Analysis and Statistics
items: Dissociated development of growth and skeletal robustness, and motor skills of preschool children
items: Transcending borders: anthropometric insights and body image among Turkish immigrants in Germany and the Netherlands
items: Low for age weight status is not significantly associated with short-for-age body height in Kenyan schoolchildren – a pilot study
items: Statistics for Human Biologists - Introduction
items: Coherence: a new approach for analyzing interrelated serial data
items: Improving ramification detection of St. Nicolas House Analysis
items: Editorial - 6th International Student Summer School on “Human Growth: Data Analyses and Statistics”
items: Secular trends in anthropometric characteristics and their associations with external skeletal robustness among Slovenian young adults’ population
items: Soulful rhythm, dancing bodies
items: Health endangering overweight in preschool children
items: Signs of childhood physiological stresses in a South African human skeletal collection
items: The association between linear enamel hypoplasia, cribra orbitalia and porotic hyperostosis in a South African skeletal sample
items: Attitude towards purchasing consumer items can be extracted from Demographic and health survey India-2019-2020 (NFHS 5)
items: The associations between artificial reproductive technologies (ART) and newborn size, as well as perinatal risk factors among singleton births in Vienna, Austria.
items: Networks in Auxology – proceedings of the 31st Aschauer Soiree, held at Aschau, Germany, June 17th 2023

Association between alcohol consumption, smoking and bone tissue quality in Slovak young adults assessed by radial quantitative ultrasound
type: item
description: Background Despite well-characterised effects of smoking and alcohol on bone health in older adults, evidence remains limited regarding their impact on bone quality during peak bone mass acquisition in young adults (18–30 years). Objectives Analysing the relationship between bone quality, alcohol consumption and smoking, considering physical activity (PA) and body composition. Sample and methods The sample consisted of 1001 Slovak men and women aged 18–30 years (mean age, 22±2.35 years). Bone quality was measured using a quantitative ultrasound device (Sunlight MiniOmni™), which yielded Z-score data. Body composition variables, including skeletal muscle mass (SMM; kg) and per cent body fat (PBF; %), were assessed using a bioimpedance analyser (InBody 770). Additional behavioural factors, including alcohol consumption, smoking and PA, were collected using the WHO STEPS 2014 questionnaire. Results In the regression analysis, duration of alcohol consumption positively predicted bone quality Z-scores (standardised 𝛽 = 0.172, 95% CI [0.03, 0.10], 𝑝 < 0.001), while cigarette smoking quantity was negatively associated (standardised 𝛽 = −0.113, 95% CI [−0.01,−0.00], 𝑝 = 0.042). The SNHA confirmed the findings of the previous analysis concerning alcohol (𝑟=0.19). Conversely, for smoking (𝑟=0.23), it identified an inverse relationship, noting a positive effect on bone health, a finding likely mediated by the association with alcohol consumption. Conclusion Lifestyle risk factors, including smoking and alcohol consumption, are associated with bone tissue quality in young adults; however, due to the mixed results available in the literature and in our study, future studies are required.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Bone health
  topic: keywords
subject: alcohol drinking
  topic: keywords
subject: smoking
  topic: keywords
subject: young adults
  topic: keywords
creator: Simona Sulis
creator: Darina Falbová
creator: Alexandra Hozáková
creator: Lenka Vorobeľová
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Simona Sulis, Darina Falbová, Alexandra Hozáková, Lenka Vorobeľová https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2026-03-03
publication date: 2026-03-03
doi: 10.52905/hbph2026.112

Evaluating the role of anthropometric and genetic risk factors in ACL injury susceptibility across an Australian and South African cohort
type: item
description: Background Anterior cruciate ligament rupture (ACL-R) is a common sports injury influenced by biomechanical, anthropometric, environmental, and genetic factors. Collagen gene polymorphisms have been implicated in ACL-R, with a whole-genome sequencing twin study highlighting COL12A1 rs970547 C>T as a variant of interest. However, the additive impact of the anthropometric traits and COL12A1 on ACL-R susceptibility remains unexplored. Objectives To investigate the additive effect of anthropometric traits and COL12A1 rs970547 C>T on ACL-R susceptibility in an Australian and South African cohort with the a priori hypothesis that female T/T carriers were at an increased risk. Sample and Methods The study included ACL-R cases (Australia n = 354; South Africa n = 252) and controls (Australia n = 84; South Africa n = 232). COL12A1 rs970547 C>T SNP was genotyped using TaqMan® assays. Anthropometric traits were sex-stratified/standardised. Logistic regression and principal component analyses were assessed. Results No significant genetic associations were found for COL12A1 rs970547 C>T in the i) individual/combined and ii) male/female cohorts. PCA revealed clustering of anthropometrics in PC1–PC2, with PC3 being driven exclusively by rs970547 in each cohort. Conclusion No associations were noted between the COL12A1 rs970547 T/T genotype and ACL-R risk. PCA, however, indicated that rs970547 may hold biological significance in ACL-R susceptibility, highlighting the complex interplay of genetic and anthropometric traits.
subject: International Student Summer School
  topic: section
subject: Genetics research
  topic: keywords
subject: Principal Component Analysis
  topic: keywords
subject: COL12A1
  topic: keywords
creator: Firzana Firfirey
creator: MJ Nancy Laguette
creator: Malcolm Collins
creator: Detlef Groth
creator: Michael Hermannusen
creator: Christiane Scheffler
creator: Alison September
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Dr F Firfirey, Dr MJN Laguette, Prof M Collins, Dr Groth, Prof M Hermanussen, Prof C Scheffler, Prof A.V. September https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-12-20
publication date: 2025-12-20
doi: 10.52905/hbph2025.2.103

Physical activity, health-related physical fitness and markers of metabolic syndrome in adolescents: The PAHL-study
type: item
description: Background: Globally, declining physical activity (PA) and health-related physical fitness (HRPF) levels among adolescents, if not intervened, may increase the risk of developing metabolic syndrome (Mets). Aim: We aimed to determine the relationship between PA, HRPF, and MetS markers in adolescents enrolled in the Physical Activity and Health Longitudinal (PAHL)-study. Subjects and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 215 adolescents from the 2011 data point of the PAHL-study in South Africa. We measured PA with the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, HRPF with the EUROFIT fitness tests, and blood lipid profiles. Participants were classified as having MetS markers to according to the International Diabetes Federation and the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel. Multiple regression analysis was performed to report the associations between PA, HRPF and MetS markers Results: Multivariable regression analysis for the total group showed that waist circumference had significant (p<0.001) negative associations with standing broad jump (β=-0.29), bent arm hang (β=-0.45), sit-ups (β=-0.14), and predicted V̇O2max (β=-0.36). Conclusion: High abdominal fatness was evident in the South African adolescent and associated with poor HRPF. Based on these findings, HRPF interventions should be explored as a cost-effective strategy to mitigate MetS risk in adolescents.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Adolescents, health related physical fitness, metabolic syndrome, physical activity, and waist circumference
  topic: keywords
creator: Caroline Molete Sedumedi
creator: Sarah Johanna Moss
creator: Elandi van Niekerk
creator: Makama Andries Monyeki
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Makama Andries Monyeki https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-12-20
publication date: 2025-12-20
doi: 10.52905/hbph2025.2.106

Reference values for short term height velocity – a brief practical guide
type: item
description: Assessing the velocity of growth in height is essential for preventive health care and the clinical evaluation of growth. We provide practical tables with common centiles for annual changes in the height-for-age z-scores (HAZ), and correction factors for assessing short-term changes in HAZ depending on the time interval between two successive measurements (ranging from 42 to 170 days), and for series of multiple measurements of height.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: HAZ
  topic: keywords
subject: height SDS
  topic: keywords
subject: growth velocity
  topic: keywords
subject: short-term growth
  topic: keywords
subject: reference values
  topic: keywords
creator: Michael Hermanussen
creator: Christiane Scheffler
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Michael Hermanussen, Christiane Scheffler https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-12-20
publication date: 2025-12-20
doi: 10.52905/hbph2025.2.110

Tutorial: Statistics for Human Biologists - Terminology and Univariate Statistics
type: item
description: In the second part of this tutorial series, we will discuss the foundations of univariate statistics. We will define statistical terms such as p-value, confidence interval, and effect size. The latter two are often neglected, but they are more informative than the commonly overinterpreted p-value. A p-value expresses the likelihood of observing a difference, or a larger, between a sample and a population parameter, or between two groups, assuming they share the same distribution. In univariate statistics, this difference is between a sample and a known population value. The assumption of equal distributions is the null hypothesis, which may be rejected if the p-value is very small. Importantly, the p-value depends not only on the difference itself but also on the sample size. Large samples can yield very small, highly significant p-values even when the effect size is trivial. In contrast, a confidence interval provides a range for the population parameter based on the sample, giving insight into precision beyond statistical significance. The effect size conveys the magnitude of an effect, which simplifies interpretation and allows to assess the relevance of observed differences. In this review, we explain these terms in the context of univariate statistics, comparing variables of interest from sample data against a known population value such as a mean or proportion. Relevant measures and visualizations include the mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, and histograms, barplots, along with effect size measures like Cohen’s d for numerical data and Cohen’s w for categorical data.
subject: International Student Summer School
  topic: section
subject: statistics
  topic: keywords
subject: tutorial
  topic: keywords
subject: descriptive statistics
  topic: keywords
subject: inferential statistics
  topic: keywords
subject: p-value
  topic: keywords
subject: effect size
  topic: keywords
subject: confidence interval
  topic: keywords
subject: univariate statistics
  topic: keywords
creator: Detlef Groth
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Detlef Groth https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-12-20
publication date: 2025-12-20
doi: 10.52905/hbph2025.2.113

Human growth regulation is dominated by the socio-cultural exposome
type: item
description: Humans are social. They live and grow within their communities. Yet, despite similar genetic makeup and comparable physical living conditions, communities that do not share the same socio-cultural background often differ greatly in height. Evidence suggests that growth is substantially influenced by the social community (community effects on height) which narrows the spectrum of the potential variation in height by at least 50%. Strategic growth adjustments within social networks reflect the social position with physical size being a potent signal of dominance supported by a variety of accessory social and cultural signals and symbols among humans. The concept of Socio-Economic-Political- Emotional (SEPE) influences on growth describes growth as a mirror that signals the emotional balance between the socio-cultural exposome, the personal perception of this exposure and its translation via hypothalamic neuropeptides into the metabolome, and ultimately, into the physical signal of body size to be returned to the social community. The strong conservation of this complex signaling pathway since more than 400 million years in the vertebrate line suggests substantial evolutionary relevance, and is strongly supported by recent considerations on self-organizing processes found in both random network systems and in the social networks of a variety of social vertebrates.
subject: Short Notes
  topic: section
subject: Community effect on height
  topic: keywords
subject: socio-endocrine regulation
  topic: keywords
subject: strategic growth adjustment
  topic: keywords
creator: Christiane Scheffler
creator: Michael Hermanussen
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Christiane Scheffler, Michael Hermanussen https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-12-20
publication date: 2025-12-20
doi: 10.52905/hbph2025.2.119

The role of geographical isolation in children’s growth
type: item
description: Background Historical evidence highlights links between height and environmental factors, with geographic isolation playing a crucial role. The Kangean Island, one of Indonesia’s small, isolated islands, offers a unique context for research on growth. Objectives The study aims to compare the height of 15-17-year-old girls in Malang, Java, with those of the same age on Kangean. It also compares the height of boys and girls aged 1 month–12 years old from Arjasa and Kangayan locations over two hours away from the port on the Kangean Island. Sample and Methods We studied 2 groups with a total of 393 participants: girls aged 15–17 years from Malang (n=91); and Kangean (n=94), children aged 1 month–12 years from the Kangean Island (n=208); we measured the participants’ height, weight, and BMI, converted them based on the WHO-reference SDS values from 2007, and then analyzed the data using SPSS. Results Compared with Malang, female adolescents on Kangean were shorter (-1.42±0.79 vs. -0.88±0.79, p<0.001), had lower weight (-1.84±1.40 vs. -0.50±1.18, p=0.00), and lower BMI (-0.84±1.29 vs. 0.069±1.02, p<0.001). Kangayan boys were shorter than those in Arjasa (-1.67±1.00 vs. -0.83±1.36; p<0.001), while Kangayan girls were similar to their counterparts in Arjasa. There were no significant differences in weight between all the Kangan and Arjasa groups, but Kangayan’s children had a higher mean BMI-SDS than Arjasa’s (boys: -0.55±1.45 vs. -1.32±1.52; p=0.009; girls: -0.54±0.94 vs. -1.12 ± 1.04; p=0.01). Conclusion Living on a small island and the distance from its port differently affect the growth of children and adolescents.
subject: International Student Summer School
  topic: section
subject: Height
  topic: keywords
subject: Island
  topic: keywords
subject: Isolated
  topic: keywords
subject: Geographical
  topic: keywords
subject: Growth
  topic: keywords
creator: Yuni Hisbiyah
creator: Muhammad Faizi
creator: Nabilah Azzah Putri Wairooy
creator: Rayi Kurnia Perwitasari
creator: Nur Rochmah
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Yuni Hisbiyah, Muhammad Faizi, Nabilah Azzah Putri Wairooy, Rayi Kurnia Perwitasari, Nur Rochmah https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-07-13
publication date: 2025-07-13
doi: 10.52905/hbph2025.1.89

Short sleep duration is linked with short stature and delayed age of menarche in Indonesian boarding school girls
type: item
description: Background Several factors directly and indirectly influence child growth. Menarche is the initial menstrual period that is regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Both growth and menarche are affected by biological, genetic, epigenetic, nutritional, and psychosocial factors. Boarding schools are assumed to encourage responsibility and maturity in children, but boarding schools are also reported to have less sleeping duration. Objectives The current study aims to assess whether there are differences and associations in sleeping duration, physical activity, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and age of menarche among students in boarding school and regular school. Sample and Methods 123 girls from boarding school and 90 from regular school were selected. Students completed a questionnaire, and data on weight, height, and BMI were collected. Weight, height, and BMI were transformed into standard deviation score (SDS) according to the WHO growth chart. The data were processed using an independent t-test, multiple regression analysis, and St. Nicolas house analysis. Results Independent t-test results showed that there are differences in the median sleep duration (5.36 hours vs. 7.14 hours), weight SDS (-0.09 vs. 0.41), height SDS (-0.65 vs. 0.05), and age of menarche (11.6 vs. 11 years old), respectively, for boarding school and regular school, while there are no differences in physical activity and BMI SDS. Multiple regression analysis and St. Nicolas house analysis showed that sleep duration has a correlation with weight SDS, height SDS, and age of menarche (p < 0.05). Conclusions There is an association between sleep duration, growth, and menarche. Girls with less sleep duration have lower height and weight and are delayed in the age of menarche.
subject: International Student Summer School
  topic: section
subject: Age of Menarche
  topic: keywords
subject: Boarding School
  topic: keywords
subject: Girl, Growth
  topic: keywords
subject: Regular School
  topic: keywords
creator: Rayi Kurnia Perwitasari
creator: Yuni Hisbiyah
creator: Nur Rochmah
creator: Muhammad Faizi
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Rayi Kurnia Perwitasari, Yuni Hisbiyah, Nur Rochmah, Muhammad Faizi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-07-13
publication date: 2025-07-13
doi: 10.52905/hbph2025.1.90

Association between frequency of energy drink consumption and bone tissue quality in Slovak young adults
type: item
description: Background The study of bone health in younger individuals is less explored than in older populations but may offer insights into preventing future bone conditions. Objectives This study analyzes the link between bone quality and energy drink consumption while considering factors like physical activity and body composition. Sample and Methods The sample comprised 911 Slovaks, male and female, aged 18–30 (21.53 ± 2.27). Bone mineral density was measured using a quantitative ultrasound device (Sunlight MiniOmni™), yielding speed of sound (SOS; m/s) data. Body composition variables, including Lean Body Mass (LBM; kg) and Percent Body Fat (PBF; %), were assessed with the bioimpedance analyzer InBody 770. Additional behavioural factors were gathered via a questionnaire based on the WHO Steps 2014. Results Sex was found to be a significant predictor of SOS [F(11,899 = 4.01), p < 0.001, R2 = 0.047], with females showing higher SOS than males (p < 0.001), whereas physical activity (p = 0.594) was not a significant predictor. Although energy drink consumption did not show a direct impact on SOS according to the Saint Nicholas House Analysis (SNHA), it was a significant predictor in those who drank 1–2 days/week (p = 0.009) and those who drank less than once a month (p=0.023) with these individuals exhibiting lower SOS than non-consumers, thus poorer bone tissue quality. Conclusion In summary, energy drinks consumed 1–2 days/week and less than once a month are associated with bone tissue quality in young adults, albeit not directly posing a potential adverse effect on bone health.
subject: International Student Summer School
  topic: section
subject: Bone mineral density
  topic: keywords
subject: physical activity
  topic: keywords
subject: energy drinks
  topic: keywords
subject: quantitative ultrasound
  topic: keywords
subject: bioimpedance analysis
  topic: keywords
creator: Simona Sulis
creator: Darina Falbová
creator: Alexandra Hozáková
creator: Lenka Vorobeľová
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Simona Sulis, Darina Falbová, Alexandra Hozáková, Lenka Vorobeľová https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-07-13
publication date: 2025-07-13
doi: 10.52905/hbph2025.1.91

No correlation between HSPG2 genetic variants and anthropometric characteristics within an ACL rupture risk modelling study
type: item
description: Background Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures are common musculoskeletal injuries, influenced by extrinsic and intrinsic factors such as genetic variations and anthropometric traits. While these factors contribute to ACL rupture susceptibility, their interactions are underexplored. Objectives To investigate the relationship between HSPG2 variants and anthropometric traits in participants from an ACL study from Poland and Sweden. Hypothesis Genetic variability within HSPG2 loci along with height variability may collectively contribute to ACL rupture susceptibility. Sample and methods A genetic case-control association study was conducted with two cohorts from Poland and Sweden and a combined cohort. Participants were self-reported Caucasian and physically active. The combined cohort consisted of 265 asymptomatic controls (POL-CON=150; SWD-CON=116); 237 ACL rupture cases (POL-ACLR=141; SWD-ACLR=95) and a subgroup of 135 non-contact ACL ruptures (POL-NON=54; SWD-NON=79). Participants were genotyped for rs2291826 A>G and rs2291827 G>A and data were analysed using R, with p<0.05. Results Strong correlations were found between mass and BMI across all cohorts (r=0.78–0.81), suggesting these traits may influence injury risk. Sex-mass and sex-height correlations were consistent, with a strong negative correlation between sex and height in the Swedish cohort (r=-0.75). No positive correlations were found between the HSPG2 variants and anthropometric traits, except a moderate negative correlation between rs2291826A>G and height in the Swedish cohort (r=-0.019, p<0.009), suggesting possible genotype effect on height. Conclusion Mass and BMI were highlighted as potential risk factors for ACL rupture. Height-mass relationships varied by sex and population, suggesting both genetics and environment impact injury patterns. Further testing of the variants may clarify their role in ACL injury variability.
subject: International Student Summer School
  topic: section
creator: Lethabo Ramoshaba
creator: Mary-Jessica Nancy Laguette
creator: Malcolm Collins
creator: Alison V September
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Lethabo Ramoshaba, Mary-Jessica N Laguette, Malcolm Collins, Alison V. September https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-07-13
publication date: 2025-07-13
doi: 10.52905/hbph2025.1.93

The Impact of a 10% Tax Rate and Redistribution on Resource Concentration in Networks
type: item
description: Background Resource disparities are common in social networks, often driven by competitive interactions. Exploring how interventions like taxation influence these inequalities can reveal mechanisms for more balanced distributions. Objectives This study investigates the effects of a 10% tax rate and redistribution on inequality and resource stability within two network models: the ‘Winner-Loser Model’ which intensifies hierarchies through competitive interactions, and the ‘Null Model’, simulating equal opportunity exchanges. Sample and Methods We used Monte Carlo simulations with agents starting at equal resource levels, interacting under the rules of each model. Taxation effects were measured through Gini coefficients and Lambda stability scores across various network sizes. Results Taxation reduced Gini coefficients in both models, promoting more balanced distributions. Lambda values indicated that taxation improved stability, especially within the ‘Winner-Loser Model’, by diminishing extreme resource accumulation. Conclusions The study demonstrates that while competitive dynamics naturally drive inequality, taxation and redistribution mechanisms can stabilize and reduce disparities. These findings suggest that even simple redistribution can reduce hierarchical resource concentration and counteract extreme inequalities in networked settings.
subject: International Student Summer School
  topic: section
subject: Redistribution
  topic: keywords
subject: Social Networks
  topic: keywords
subject: Taxation
  topic: keywords
subject: Triad Motif
  topic: keywords
subject: Winner-Loser Model
  topic: keywords
creator: Sarah Leutner
creator: Illia Terpylo
creator: Detlef Groth
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Sarah Leutner, Illia Terpylo, Detlef Groth https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-07-13
publication date: 2025-07-13
doi: 10.52905/hbph2025.1.94

A review of 100 years of syphilis in Austria from 1921 to 2021.
type: item
description: Syphilis, a deadly sexually transmitted infection (STI), lost its terror with the introduction of antibiotics. Recent epidemiological data, however, revealed a reemergence of syphilis in Europe, despite the availability of inexpensive and effective treatments. In Austria, the epidemiological data are incomplete due to limited reporting requirements. Nevertheless, Austrian mass media reported increasing syphilis rates, as documented for other European countries. This study provides an epidemiological overview of syphilis cases in Austria from 1921–2021 and tested the hypothesis that in Austria syphilis rates increase as observed across Europe. Data on syphilis cases from 1921–2019 in Austria were gathered from statistical yearbooks and reports. Additional sex-specific data for 1998–2021 was provided by the Vienna Health Service. Syphilis incidences were highest in the 1920s and declined steadily until 1993. Since then, cases have increased slightly, peaking in 2009 and 2018 at seven cases per 100,000 residents, the highest incidence syphilis rate since 1975. This increase is comparable to that seen in other European countries, consequently this hypothesis was verified. Men living in Vienna were nine times more likely to be infected with syphilis than women of comparable age. The rising syphilis infection rates in Vienna over the last 30 years correspond to those in other Austrian provinces, but also to those in other European countries. From the viewpoint of public health, the introduction of an obligatory reporting system of all diagnosed syphilis cases in Austria is recommended. In addition, regular screenings, treatment, and efforts to reduce discrimination and stigma against sexual minorities may help to prevent rising syphilis rates.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Syphilis in Austria
  topic: keywords
subject: Epidemiological Report
  topic: keywords
subject: Austria
  topic: keywords
subject: MSM
  topic: keywords
subject: PrEP
  topic: keywords
creator: Julia Kasimir
creator: Sylvia Kirchengast
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Julia Kasimir, Sylvia Kirchengast https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-07-13
publication date: 2025-07-13
doi: 10.52905/hbph2025.1.96

Human growth and development across time and space
type: item
description: Sixteen scientists met for the annual Auxological conference held at Krobielowice, Poland, to discuss plasticity of child and adolescent growth in historical and contemporary populations. Secular trends in body height and trends in the distribution of body weight and body mass index were discussed both in view of concurrent trends in economic variables, health, nutrition, and education, and, in view of more recent evidence of body height, as a social signal. Post-war periods of political instability associated with visions of future independence and prosperity favor upward body height trends independent of the economic and almost independent of the nutritional situation. Body height relates to social mobility and depends on education. A study on the relationship of social status, somatic characteristics of frequent horse riding, number of weapons, and body height in 6th to 8th century Avars emphasized the relevance of height as a social signal also in a nomadic medieval population. Migrants are particularly prone to plasticity in height, as the associated socio-economic-political and emotional (SEPE) burden of migration significantly interferes with the regulation of growth. Different patterns were observed in indigenous Hadza where body height does not seem to be an important social signal that influences preferences regarding both in-camp and out-of-camp activities. Indigenous populations are vulnerable and prone to notable decline in their health status. Taking a decolonial view on the historical well-being of the Xavante, the overall health status of this Brazilian population has significantly worsened despite changes in the administrative frameworks, including reductions in mortality rates and increased hospital service usage. In addition to height, the alterations in body weight, the effects of fat mass on physical fitness, lifestyle, sports, and general health in Polish, Czech, and Turkish populations were discussed. Modern body weight distributions are skewe…
subject: Proceedings and Workshops
  topic: section
subject: plasticity
  topic: keywords
subject: secular trend
  topic: keywords
subject: social signal
  topic: keywords
subject: mobility
  topic: keywords
subject: physical fitness
  topic: keywords
creator: Michael Hermanussen
creator: Christiane Scheffler
creator: Jana Fritsch
creator: Piotr Fedurek
creator: Joanna Nieczuja-Dwojacka
creator: Maria Kaczmarek
creator: Sylvia Kirchengast
creator: Dominik Hagmann
creator: Birgit Bühler
creator: Katarzyna Górka
creator: Sylwia Bartkowiak
creator: Başak Koca Özer
creator: Esin Köksal Babacan
creator: Kübra Baran
creator: Martin Musalek
creator: Takashi Satake
creator: Roshan Peiris
creator: Toshie Hirohara
creator: Komei Hattori
creator: Natalia Nowak-Szczepanska
creator: Anna Apanasewicz-Grzegorczyk
creator: Aleksandra Gomula
creator: Slawomir Koziel
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Michael Hermanussen, Christiane Scheffler, Jana Fritsch, Piotr Fedurek, Joanna Nieczuja-Dwojacka, Maria Kaczmarek, Sylvia Kirchengast, Dominik Hagmann, Birgit Bühler, Katarzyna Górka, Sylwia Bartkowiak, Başak Koca Özer, Esin Köksal Babacan, Kübra Baran, Martin Musalek, Takashi Satake, Roshan Peiris, Toshie Hirohara, Komei Hattori , Natalia Nowak-Szczepanska, Anna Apanasewicz-Grzegorczyk, Aleksandra Gomula, Slawomir Koziel https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-07-13
publication date: 2025-07-13
doi: 10.52905/hbph2025.1.101

Turkish migrants adjust body height during adolescence to the host community in Germany
type: item
description: Background Investigating migration is crucial for understanding population changes and their impact on growth. Migration and its associated Social-Economic-Political-Emotional (SEPE) factors can influence height, aligning with the theory of “developmental plasticity”, which suggests that environmental stimuli affect growth patterns. Objective This study aims to analyse the impact of migration and associated stress on the growth and development of first- and second-generation migrant children in Germany. Sample and Methods The analysis utilized the KiGGS (German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents) dataset, collected by the RKI (Robert Koch-Institut, the central public health institute in Germany) between 2003 and 2006. The baseline survey included anthropometric, demographic, and social data from 8,986 males and 8,654 females, aged 0–17 years across 167 cities in Germany. Height data from first- and second-generation Turkish-origin children and their German-origin peers were analysed to assess differences in growth patterns. Results Differences in height were observed between first- and second-generation immigrant children of Turkish origin compared to German-origin peers. Second-generation boys aged 3–10 (heightSDS=-0.29) were shorter than German-origin peers (heightSDS=0.04). First-generation boys in this group were even shorter (heightSDS=-0.19). In the 11–17 group, second-generation boys showed a heightSDS of 0.12, above their German-origin counterparts (height SDS=0.06), while first-generation boys were notably shorter (heightSDS=-0.54). For children (aged 3–10) and adolescents (aged 11–17) of both sexes, no significant differences were found between the first and second generations. Conclusion Migration and associated environmental factors impact children’s height, highlighting the complexity of generational shifts in physical growth.
subject: International Student Summer School
  topic: section
subject: socio-economy
  topic: keywords
subject: generations
  topic: keywords
subject: strategic-growth-adjustment
  topic: keywords
subject: migration
  topic: keywords
subject: developmental plasticity
  topic: keywords
creator: Jana Fritsch
creator: Christiane Scheffler
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Jana Fritsch, Christiane Scheffler https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-07-13
publication date: 2025-07-13
doi: 10.52905/hbph2025.1.104

Editorial - 7th International Students Summer School on Human Growth - Data Analysis and Statistics
type: item
description: Statistics is the key skill required by reseachers to answer scientific questions based on often complex data sets. 9 students and young researchers from Indonesia, South Africa, Spain, Slovakia, and Germany were educated and trained on their own data sets with the aim to publish these results at the 7th International Students Summer School on Human Growth - Data Analysis and Statistics at the Ecological Station Gülpe of the University of Potsdam from July 3rd to 11th 2024.
subject: International Student Summer School
  topic: section
subject: summer school
  topic: keywords
subject: data preparation
  topic: keywords
subject: column names
  topic: keywords
subject: column abbreviations
  topic: keywords
subject: data cleaning
  topic: keywords
subject: human growth
  topic: keywords
subject: R programming language
  topic: keywords
creator: Detlef Groth
creator: Michael Hermanussen
creator: Christiane Scheffler
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Detlef Groth, Hermanussen Michael, Christiane Scheffler https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-07-13
publication date: 2025-07-13
doi: 10.52905/hbph2025.1.108

Dissociated development of growth and skeletal robustness, and motor skills of preschool children
type: item
description: Background Lack of physical activity is associated with various health risks. Yet, instead of indulging their natural urge to move, the majority of today’s preschool children tends to spend a substantial portion of the day in sedentary pursuit. Objective To investigate patterns of motor skills related to age, body size and strength, or to dexterity and movement coordination. Sample and Methods Eight anthropometric measurements and seven motor skill tests were performed in 144 boys and 120 girls aged 2.6 to 4.5 years. Children were measured in Berlin (Germany) in 2001/2002. Results Anthropometric variables and motor skills are multiply interrelated. Yet, there is an almost complete lack of progress in several motor skills between the age of 2.6 and 4.5 years. The indicators of dexterity, such as one-legged stance and backward balancing, show children of all age groups who performed very poorly. . Standing long jump and running speed as indicators of gross physical strength were moderately connected with height (r=0.48 and r=0.41, p<0.001). Conclusion Modern German preschool children show poor motor performance. The general pattern of motor skills that are related to dexterity and movement coordination and depend on practice and training, differ from those which depend on physical strength, such as standing long jump and running. The need for cooperation and mutual promotion of motor development by parents, physicians, and teachers, and the opening up of natural spaces to give room to the physiological urge to move for young children is evident.
subject: International Student Summer School
  topic: section
subject: motor development
  topic: keywords
subject: right/left one-legged stance
  topic: keywords
subject: balancing
  topic: keywords
subject: standing long jump
  topic: keywords
subject: running
  topic: keywords
subject: lateral transfer
  topic: keywords
creator: Chantal Laura-Mari Delor
creator: Christiane Scheffler
creator: Michael Hermanussen
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 Chantal Laura-Mari Delor, Christiane Scheffler, Michael Hermanussen https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2024-12-20
publication date: 2024-12-20
doi: 10.52905/hbph2024.2.84

Transcending borders: anthropometric insights and body image among Turkish immigrants in Germany and the Netherlands
type: item
description: Background The phenomenon of human migration is multi-dimensional, involving economic, political, cultural and environmental factors; it operates with 'push-pull' dynamics and structures the immigrant population in terms of behaviour, social dynamics, dietary patterns, growth trajectories, reproductive strategies and overall well-being. Since the 1960s, Turkish immigrants have settled mainly in Germany and the Netherlands. Objectives The study aims to understand the changes in anthropometric variables that have occurred among adult Turkish immigrants due to migration, as well as to identify the factors affecting their body image and height. Sample The cross-sectional study included a random sample (aged 18-65 years) of 190 Turkish immigrants (73 males, 117 females) living in Germany and the Netherlands, and 278 non-migrant individuals (120 males, 158 females) living in Turkey. Methods Anthropometric data on height, weight, circumferences, and skinfold thickness were collected, and a body image survey was administered. In addition to descriptive statistics, a principal component analysis (PCA) and a linear regression model were conducted. Results No statistical difference was found between the height of Turkish immigrants in Germany and the Netherlands, and those living in Turkey for males. Overweight was more prevalent in Turkish immigrant groups than in those living in Turkey. Comparison of Turkish immigrants and non-immigrants showed that both male and female living in Europe had higher body image scores. Conclusion The height differences between Turkish immigrants and those still living in Turkey may result from the insufficient integration of immigrants into the new society. It was found that educational level positively affects the height of both sexes in both Turkish immigrants and non-immigrants.
subject: International Student Summer School
  topic: section
creator: Kübra Baran
creator: Başak Koca Özer
creator: Michael Hermanussen
creator: Detlef Groth
creator: Christiane Scheffler
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 Kübra Baran, Başak Koca Özer, Michael Hermanussen, Detlef Groth, Christiane Scheffler https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2024-12-20
publication date: 2024-12-20
doi: 10.52905/hbph2024.2.87

Low for age weight status is not significantly associated with short-for-age body height in Kenyan schoolchildren – a pilot study
type: item
description: Background Stunting is commonly used as an indicator of malnutrition. Both are especially prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa. Recently, the association between nutrition and growth has been questioned. Objectives This study examined whether low weight status for age is significantly associated with short height for age of Kenyan children aged 3 to 10 years. Sample and Methods Data were collected in Nairobi, Kiambu, and Kisumu in 1982, including 109 Kikuyu and 82 Luo children. The associations between age, sex, population, weight status, and body height were analysed. Results Sex and low weight status for age showed no significant associations with short height for age. With increasing age, the likelihood of showing short height for age increased significantly (p=0.001). Furthermore, population affiliation had a significant impact (p<0.001), with Kikuyu children showing a 3.61 times higher risk of being short for age than Luo children. Conclusion Weight-for-age as an indicator of nutrition is not significantly associated with short height-for-age in Kenyan schoolchildren. We question the suitability of standardized global tables for height percentiles for countries with heterogeneous populations.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Body height
  topic: keywords
subject: stunting
  topic: keywords
subject: weight status
  topic: keywords
subject: Kenia
  topic: keywords
subject: Kikuyu
  topic: keywords
subject: Luo
  topic: keywords
creator: Yasmin Jahn
creator: Sylvia Kirchengast
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 Yasmin Jahn, Sylvia Kirchengast https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2024-12-20
publication date: 2024-12-20
doi: 10.52905/hbph2024.2.88

Statistics for Human Biologists - Introduction
type: item
description: For many researchers in the field of human biology, statistics is a foreign territory where they feel uncomfortable because of statistical vocabulary used and the many different ways of analyzing their data. In a series of five short review articles, I will try to help these researchers to understand the basic principles of data preparation, descriptive and inferential statistics to guide them in analyzing their data. The review series should be seen as a complement to the summer school lectures of the International Summer School of the University of Potsdam in Gülpe in the state of Brandenburg, Germany. In this first tutorial we discuss the role of statistics in research and the role why a statistical tool like R should be used and what are the main considerations before we actually should start analyzing the data.
subject: International Student Summer School
  topic: section
subject: statistics
  topic: keywords
subject: tutorial
  topic: keywords
subject: data
  topic: keywords
subject: descriptive statistics
  topic: keywords
subject: inferential statistics
  topic: keywords
subject: R
  topic: keywords
subject: Python
  topic: keywords
creator: Detlef Groth
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 Detlef Groth https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2024-12-20
publication date: 2024-12-20
doi: 10.52905/hbph2024.2.92

Coherence: a new approach for analyzing interrelated serial data
type: item
description: Background Serial public health data may or may not reflect living conditions, political background and/or certain targeted health interventions. Yet, the effect of political events and/or health interventions that only last for a few years or a single legislative period may be difficult to analyze as restricting the range of the variables, i.e. the time interval within which the data were obtained, restricts the power of correlation analyzes. Objectives to provide a method to eliminate linear trends from serially obtained data and to visualize agreement between these data. Method We combine information of both the X- and the Y-axis and assess the agreement (coherence) between variables by clockwise (positive correlation) or anticlockwise (negative correlation) rotation of the coordinates. We provide an illustrative historic example of the coherence of infant mortality as an indicator of public health and body height in Germany between 1885 and 1995. Results Calculating coherence between correlating variables eliminates linear trends and leaves residuals that correspond to local correlation coefficients. The substantial changes in the coherence pattern of infant mortality and height exemplify the changes in the interaction between these variables during the transition from late feudalism to modern democracy. Conclusion Assessing coherence patterns enables a sensitive assessment of inhomogeneity and temporal trend changes in serially obtained correlated variables.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: secular trend
  topic: keywords
subject: serial data
  topic: keywords
subject: locally structured correlation
  topic: keywords
subject: coherence
  topic: keywords
subject: breakpoint analysis
  topic: keywords
creator: Rebekka Mumm
creator: Detlef Groth
creator: Michael Hermanussen
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 Rebekka Mumm, Detlef Groth, Michael Hermanussen https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2024-12-20
publication date: 2024-12-20
doi: 10.52905/hbph2024.2.95

Improving ramification detection of St. Nicolas House Analysis
type: item
description: The St. Nicolas House Analysis (SNHA) is a new graph estimation method for detection of extensive interactions among variables. It operates by ranking absolute bivariate correlation coefficients in descending order thereby creating hierarchic association chains. The latter characterizes dependence structures of interacting variables which can be visualized in a corresponding network graph as a chain of end-to-end connected edges representing direct relationships between the connected nodes. The important advantage of this relatively new approach is that it produces less false positive edges resulting from indirect or transitive associations than expected with standard correlation or linear model-based approaches. Here we aim to improve the detection of ramifications in graphs by addition of different data processing layers to SNHA. They include the combinations of the extensions R-squared gaining(RSG) and linear model check(LMC). SNHA together with these so-called extensions were benchmarked against default SNHA and other reference methods available for the programming language R. In the end combinations of RSG, LMC and Bootstrapping improve SNHA performance across different network types, albeit at the cost of longer computation time.
subject: International Student Summer School
  topic: section
subject: St. Nicolas Analysis
  topic: keywords
subject: snha
  topic: keywords
subject: network reconstruction
  topic: keywords
subject: R-squared gaining
  topic: keywords
subject: linear model check
  topic: keywords
subject: graph estimation
  topic: keywords
creator: Seve Chen
creator: Cédric Moris
creator: Detlef Groth
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 Seve Chen, Seve Moris, Detlef Groth https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2024-07-08
publication date: 2024-07-08
doi: 10.52905/hbph2024.1.81

Editorial - 6th International Student Summer School on “Human Growth: Data Analyses and Statistics”
type: item
subject: International Student Summer School
  topic: section
subject: writing a paper
  topic: keywords
subject: human growth
  topic: keywords
subject: politics
  topic: keywords
subject: summer school
  topic: keywords
creator: Christiane Scheffler
creator: Michael Hermanussen
creator: Detlef Groth
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 Christiane Scheffler, Michael Hermanussen, Detlef Groth https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2024-07-08
publication date: 2024-07-08
doi: 10.52905/hbph2024.1.83

Secular trends in anthropometric characteristics and their associations with external skeletal robustness among Slovenian young adults’ population
type: item
description: Objectives: To determine secular trends in body height, fat-mass, fat-free mass, and external skeletal robustness in young adults and examine possible relationship between them. Methods: Anthropometric data (body height, body mass; skinfold thickness (SFT) – triceps, abdominal, thigh; circumferences (C) – waist, upper arm, thigh; width – elbow, knee) of young adults aged 20-25 years (N = 5303; males 1985, females 3318) were used from the Slovenian (data)Base of Anthropometric Measurements from 1960 to 2023. Multiple linear regressions were performed. Results: The most significant positive secular trends (p < 0.000) were observed in males for abdominal SFT (B = 0.151, R2 = 0.169) and thigh SFT (B = 0.131, R2 = 0.142). In females, similar trend was observed in waist C (B = 0.151; R2 = 0.169). The most significant negative secular trend (p < 0.001) was observed in muscle area of lower limbs in both sexes (males: B = - 0.427, R2 = 0.000; females: B = - 0.875, R2 = 0.300). Body height and overall body mass were the most important factors influencing the observed decline in external skeletal robustness assessed with frame index according to elbow and knee width according to multiple linear regression. Conclusion: Over the last 60 years, a positive secular trend was observed in body height and body fat, while a negative trend was noted in muscle mass. Increases in body height and overall body mass had the most significant impact on the observed decrease in assessed external skeletal robustness over time.
subject: International Student Summer School
  topic: section
subject: secular trend
  topic: keywords
subject: external skeletal robustness
  topic: keywords
subject: body fat
  topic: keywords
subject: muscle area
  topic: keywords
subject: anthropometry
  topic: keywords
creator: Katja Zdešar Kotnik
creator: Petra Golja
creator: Tatjana Robič Pikel
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 Katja Zdešar Kotnik, Petra Golja, Tatjana Robič Pikel https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2024-07-08
publication date: 2024-07-08
doi: 10.52905/hbph2024.1.76

Soulful rhythm, dancing bodies
type: item
description: Background: Dance and dancers reflect happiness, sadness, passion, anger, and all other emotions as every single dancing movement carries a significant signal that goes beyond words. Kathak, an Indian classical dance form, requires a divine balance between the soul and the physical body. This balance allows for a high pain tolerance of the dancers, but the spiritual nature of this dance form also generates ignorance and disinterest in their health seeking behavior towards injuries. Objectives: This comprehensive narrative review is aimed at exploring and examining the prevalence of lower extremity musculoskeletal injuries among Kathak dancers and proposes management strategies for their prevention and treatment. Methods: This review is based on a search of relevant articles, research papers, books and book chapters conducted across a wide array of online sources, utilizing the search engines like PubMed, Medline, CrossRef; etc. Considering the inclusion criterion, the review process included three stages: initial assessment of papers through title and abstract review, a detailed examination of relevant items, and systematic compilation of pertinent information into a categorized table under topical headings. Results: The review finds that the majority of injuries were reported in the foot and ankle region of dancers practicing Kathak. Conclusion: There is a need to develop supplementary exercise training programs and also spread awareness among dancers regarding their physical health and seeking medical care in time to delay/prevent lower extremity injuries.
subject: Review Articles
  topic: section
subject: dance injuries
  topic: keywords
subject: Indian classical dance
  topic: keywords
subject: pain perception
  topic: keywords
subject: supplementary exercise training
  topic: keywords
creator: Abhijeet Singh Dewari
creator: Barry Bogin
creator: Shivani Chandel
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 Abhijeet Singh Dewari, Barry Bogin, Shivani Chandel https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2024-07-08
publication date: 2024-07-08
doi: 10.52905/hbph2024.1.79

Health endangering overweight in preschool children
type: item
description: Background: Body mass index (BMI) is the dominant diagnostic parameter for obesity, but its suitability is controversial. Physical fitness (PF) can be used as an indicator for unhealthy body composition. Objectives: To characterize groups of overweight children via different anthropometric parameters and their respective PF. Sample and Methods: Anthropometric measurements (BMI, waist circumference (WC), skinfold thickness (SF), mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) were assessed in 147 preschool children (age 4.7 ± 1.8 years) at 12 German Kindergartens. Measurements were related to a field battery for PF, assessing musculoskeletal fitness and motor fitness. Results: All anthropometric measurements characterize different children as overweight, only four children are classified as overweight by all measurements. Children with elevated triceps SF alone or in combination with high subscapular SF or WC but not BMI showed lower PF compared with non-overweight children (long jump (p < 0.001), high jump (p = 0.002), shuttle run (p = 0.032)). Conclusions: Triceps SF measuring peripheral fat mass alone and in combination with parameters of central fat might be an effective method to detect poor PF indicating health impairing overweight in 3- to 6-year-old children while preventive examinations should not be placed exclusively on the BMI.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: obesity
  topic: keywords
subject: motor fitness
  topic: keywords
subject: BMI
  topic: keywords
subject: preschool children
  topic: keywords
creator: Eva-Maria Maintz
creator: Rebekka Mumm
creator: Marla Lechner
creator: Verena Schumacher
creator: Ursula Wittwer-Backofen
creator: Karl Otfried Schwab
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 Eva-Maria Maintz, Rebekka Mumm, Marla Lechner, Verena Schumacher, Ursula Wittwer-Backofen, Karl Otfried Schwab https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2024-07-08
publication date: 2024-07-08
doi: 10.52905/hbph2024.1.73

Signs of childhood physiological stresses in a South African human skeletal collection
type: item
description: Background: HarrisLines(HL)andLinearEnamelHypoplasia(LEH) are non-specific skeletal markers of health status. The aetiology of these markers has not yet been confirmed due to a lack of contem- porary clinical studies but is assumed to occur due to health insults associated with low socio-economic status (SES). Most studies re- garding HL and LEH have been conducted on the archaeological re- mains of historic populations. This provides a problem when trying to determine the aetiology of the afore-mentioned defects as medical histories of those individuals being tested are unknown. Objectives: This study aims to determine if there is an association be- tween LEH and HL in a contemporary South African skeletal popu- lation with mainly low social background individuals. Sample and Methods The skull and x-rays of long bones of individuals (n=592) aged between 20–90 years who lived between 1900 – 1995 sampled from the Stellenbosch University Skeletal Repository, were assessed for presence of HL and LEH. Results: The study found no significant association between LEH and HL, with 7.64% of those with HL also having LEH (p=0.512). There was also no significant association between HL and LEH in females (p=0.331), but a significant association in males (p=0.027). A significant association between LEH, HL and different age-at- death groups was found in the middle group (40–59 years-of-age-at- death; p=0.006), with the least significant association in the oldest age-at-death group (>60 years-of-age-at-death; p=0.418). Conclusion: In this South African cohort, no clear association between LEH and HL could be established, indicating that the aetiology of these disease markings should still be investigated.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: linear enamel hypoplasia
  topic: keywords
subject: Harris Lines
  topic: keywords
subject: Kirsten Skeletal Collection
  topic: keywords
subject: childhood physiological stress
  topic: keywords
creator: Johanna Maria de Lange
creator: Amanda Alblas
creator: Monique Nel
creator: Chantelle Marais
rights: Copyright (c) 2023 Johanna Maria de Lange, Amanda Alblas, Monique Nel, Chantelle Marais https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2023-12-22
publication date: 2023-12-22
doi: 10.52905/hbph2023.2.66

The association between linear enamel hypoplasia, cribra orbitalia and porotic hyperostosis in a South African skeletal sample
type: item
description: Background: Linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH) and porous cranial lesions such as cribra orbitalia (CO) and porotic hyperostosis (PH) are considered nonspecific indicators of early childhood metabolic stress. Objectives: The study aims to describe the association of LEH with CO and PH in a sample of the Kirsten Skeletal Collection (KSC) rep- resenting a cohort in the Western Cape, South Africa. This will be used to determine if one or more of these lesions can be used as an indicator of adult mortality. Sample and Methods: Skulls (n = 412) of both sexes with known demo- graphics from the KSC were macroscopically scored for LEH, CO and PH lesions using a ring light. This study was ethically approved by the Health Research and Ethics Committee of Stellenbosch Uni- versity (S13/05/100).Statistical chi-square tests were used to deter- mine the association between lesions and student’s t-tests to deter- mine if there was a significant difference in mean age-of-death be- tween groups. Results: There was no association when comparing LEH with CO and PH in the cohort, although an association was found between CO and PH. Individuals who exhibited the pathological lesions for LEH, CO or PH (or a combination thereof) were observed to have a younger mean age-at-death than the individuals without any of the three disease lesions. Conclusions: The lesions may potentially be used as an indicator of adult mortality. However, the results of this study might represent a biased population of low socio-economic status in the Western Cape as represented in the KSC, rather than the general population of the region.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Cribra Orbitalia
  topic: keywords
subject: Linear enamel hypoplasia
  topic: keywords
subject: Porotic Hyperostosis
  topic: keywords
subject: Metabolic Stress
  topic: keywords
subject: Kirsten Skeletal Collection
  topic: keywords
creator: Chantelle Marais
creator: Johanna M. de Lange
creator: Jacklynn Walters
creator: Amanda Alblas
rights: Copyright (c) 2023 Chantelle Marais, Johanna M. de Lange, Jacklynn Walters, Amanda Alblas https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2023-12-22
publication date: 2023-12-22
doi: 10.52905/hbph2023.2.71

Attitude towards purchasing consumer items can be extracted from Demographic and health survey India-2019-2020 (NFHS 5)
type: item
description: Background: National Health Surveys have been part of national health services in many countries, but their data are summary com- pilations and commonly used only for describing trends in health and living conditions. Aim: Tostatisticallydisclosenetworksofinteractingvariableswithin National Health Survey data. Sample and methods: We used anthropometric, educational, environ- mental and economic information of people of Sikkim, West Bengal, Telangana, and Gujarat, India, obtained by the Fifth Indian National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5). We applied a new statistical approach labeled as “St. Nicholas House Analysis” (SNHA). SNHA ranks absolute bivariate correlation coef- ficients in descending order according to magnitude. The method creates hierarchic “association chains” of correlation coefficients de- fined by sequences where reversing the start and end point does not alter the ordering of elements. Association chains characterize de- pendence structures within networks of extensively interacting variables. Results: SNHA disclosed fundamental differences in the network of anthropometric, educational, environmental and economic variables of the people of Sikkim, and the people of West Ben- gal, Telangana and Gujarat. Whereas relevant interactions among these variables were largely absent in the people of Sikkim, the variables formed characteristic star-shaped networks with wealth quintile and the possession of motorcycles in a strong central position, in the people of West Bengal, Telangana and Gujarat. Conclusion: Depicting association chains within net- works of extensively interacting variables such as health survey data appears to be a promising statisti- cal tool for disentangling the effects of environmen- tal circumstances, education, and social, economic, political and emotional (SEPE) factors on human growth.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: consumer items
  topic: keywords
subject: national health surveys
  topic: keywords
subject: associated chains
  topic: keywords
subject: gross domestic production
  topic: keywords
subject: antropometry
  topic: keywords
creator: Singha Roy Soumyajit
creator: Mithun Sikdar
creator: Nitish Mondal
creator: Christiane Scheffler
creator: Detlef Groth
creator: Michael Hermanussen
rights: Copyright (c) 2023 Singha Roy Soumyajit, Mithun Sikdar, Nitish Mondal, Christiane Scheffler, Detlef Groth, Michael Hermanussen https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2023-12-22
publication date: 2023-12-22
doi: 10.52905/hbph2023.2.72

The associations between artificial reproductive technologies (ART) and newborn size, as well as perinatal risk factors among singleton births in Vienna, Austria.
type: item
description: Background: The use of ssisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has increased markedly during the last four decades. ART, however, is still discussed critically, as there is no consensus on whether these treatments have a negative effect on fetal growth or increase the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and perinatal complications. Objectives: The aim of this study is the analysis of association patterns between ART (IVF or ICSI) and newborn size, preterm birth rate, and the mode of delivery. Sample and Methods: In this single-center medical record-based study data concerning the conception mode (spontaneous versus IVF or ICSI), preterm birth, newborn sex and size, child presentation, delivery mode, labor induction as well as parity, maternal age, body height, weight, and gestational weight gain of 5867 singleton-term births taking place in Vienna from 2015 to 2023 were included. 178 newborns (3.0%) were conceived by IVF or ICSI. Results: ART (IVF or ICSI) increased the risk of preterm birth by a factor of 3.4, and the risk of emergency cesarean section by a factor 2.3. ART was not independently associated with newborn size as well as breech presentation. The most important factor for newborn size was the gestational week of delivery, but also maternal parameters such as body height, gestational weight gain, and age. Conclusion: Preterm birth is a major cause of small newborn size and complications at birth. Therefore, ART can also be interpreted with caution as an indirect risk factor for small newborn size with all its long-term consequences.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: infertility
  topic: keywords
subject: artificial reproductive technologies
  topic: keywords
subject: preterm birth
  topic: keywords
subject: newborn size
  topic: keywords
subject: obstetric risk factors
  topic: keywords
subject: cesarean section
  topic: keywords
creator: Sylvia Kirchengast
creator: Beda Hartmann
rights: Copyright (c) 2023 Sylvia Kirchengast, Beda Hartmann https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2023-12-22
publication date: 2023-12-22
doi: 10.52905/hbph2023.2.74

Networks in Auxology – proceedings of the 31st Aschauer Soiree, held at Aschau, Germany, June 17th 2023
type: item
description: Twenty-seven scientists met for the annual Auxological conference held at Aschau, Germany, to particularly discuss the interaction between social factors and human growth, and to highlight several topics of general interest to the regulation of human growth. Humans are social mammals. Humans show and share personal interests and needs, and are able to strategically adjust size according to social position, with love and hope being prime factors in the regulation of growth. In contrast to Western societies, where body size has been shown to be an important predictor of socioeconomic status, egalitarian societies without formalized hierarchy and material wealth-dependent social status do not appear to similarly integrate body size and social network. Social network structures can be modeled by Monte Carlo simulation. Modeling dominance hierarchies suggests that winner-loser effects play a pivotal role in robust self-organization that transcends the specifics of the individual. Further improvements of the St. Nicolas House analysis using re-sampling/bootstrap techniques yielded encouraging results for exploring dense networks of interacting variables. Customized pediatric growth references, and approaches towards a Digital Rare Disease Growth Chart Library were presented. First attempts with a mobile phone application were presented to investigate the associations between maternal pre-pregnancy overweight, gestational weight gain, and the child’s future motor development. Clinical contributions included growth patterns of individuals with Silver-Russell syndrome, and treatment burden in children with growth hormone deficiency. Contributions on sports highlighted the fallacy inherent in disregarding the biological maturation status when interpreting physical performance outcomes. The meeting explored the complex influence of nutrition and lifestyle on menarcheal age of Lithuanian girls and emphasized regional trends in height of Austrian recruits. Examples of the psycho…
subject: Proceedings and Workshops
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subject: Social hierarchies
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subject: strategic growth adjustment
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subject: Monte Carlo analysis
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subject: life history strategy
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subject: adherence and quality of life
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creator: Michael Hermanussen
creator: Christiane Scheffler
creator: Melanie Dammhahn
creator: Detlef Groth
creator: Cédric Moris
creator: Tim Hake
creator: Barry Bogin
creator: Piotr Fedurek
creator: Jesper Boldsen
creator: Takashi Satake
creator: Stef van Buuren
creator: Jani Söderhäll
creator: Chris Jefferies
creator: Yehuda Limony
creator: Jovanna Dahlgren
creator: Julia Quitmann
creator: Ingo Scheffler
creator: Nino Nazirishvili
creator: Ekaterine Kvaratskhelia
creator: Annamaria Zsakai
creator: Martin Musalek
creator: Basak Koca Özer
creator: Cansev Meşe Yavuz
creator: Janina Tutkuviene
creator: Laura Kasperiunaite
creator: Simona Gervickaite
creator: Sylvia Kirchengast
creator: Slawomir Koziel
creator: Aleksandra Gomula
creator: Zbyszek Czapla
creator: Antonia Rösler
creator: Leslie Lieberman
creator: Stephen Lieberman
creator: Martin Brüne
rights: Copyright (c) 2023 Michael Hermanussen, Christiane Scheffler https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2023-12-22
publication date: 2023-12-22
doi: 10.52905/hbph2023.2.75