B4161 - Environmental and socioeconomic influences on pubertal development an international comparative study - 18/10/2022

B number: 
B4161
Principal applicant name: 
Ahmed Elhakeem | MRC IEU
Co-applicants: 
Ana Gonçalves Soares
Title of project: 
Environmental and socioeconomic influences on pubertal development: an international comparative study
Proposal summary: 

Puberty and adolescence is an important period in human development characterized by rapid transformations in anatomy, physiology, and behaviour, and the establishment of social and economic resources to maintain health and wellbeing across the life course. Despite the importance of puberty, little is known on the patterns of various developmental changes during puberty. Early life environmental exposures and socioeconomic position are thought to influence later health but whether they influence pubertal development is unclear. This study will describe the timing of different markers of pubertal development in 3 cohorts from the UK, USA, and Denmark, and examine early life environmental and socioeconomic influence on the timing of puberty.

Impact of research: 
The study will provide new evidence on the patterns of pubertal growth and development and their early life influences. this will be of interest to families, clinicians, researchers and policy makers. The analysis code will be made available which will help researchers to build skills in advanced methodological approaches to analysis of repeated measures
Date proposal received: 
Wednesday, 12 October, 2022
Date proposal approved: 
Tuesday, 18 October, 2022
Keywords: 
Epidemiology, Pregnancy - e.g. reproductive health, postnatal depression, birth outcomes, etc., Statistical methods, Development