Anthropol Anz. 2026 Jun 19. doi: 10.1127/anthranz/2006. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Adult height and body mass index (BMI) are among the fundamental somatic characteristics of humans and are shaped by the interplay of biological, familial, and environmental factors. An increasing body of research indicates the long-term importance of early-life conditions for traits observed in adulthood. This study aimed to assess the contribution of selected biological and family-related environmental determinants to variation in adult height and BMI among physical education students. An additional exploratory aim was to analyse potential correlates of age at menarche in women. The study included 267 physical education students (180 men and 87 women). Body height and body mass were measured, and data on birth parameters and family characteristics were collected, with the data obtained at the beginning of the 2025/2026 academic year. Statistical analyses were performed using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression models. Adult height was significantly associated with the stature of both parents as well as with birth length and birth weight, with the high proportion of explained variance being partly attributable to the inclusion of sex in the models. BMI was associated with sex, birth weight, and maternal educational level, with a moderate degree of explained variance. No significant associations were found between age at menarche and the predictors included in the analysis. The findings highlight the importance of familial and early-life determinants for adult height in young adults, as well as the limited role of socioeconomic environmental factors in the population studied. Interpretation of the results for BMI requires consideration of the specific characteristics of a physically active population.
PMID:42324814 | DOI:10.1127/anthranz/2006
