ESPE Abstracts

Children’s linear growth is a complex process determined by genetic and environmental factors. It is well known that nutrition influences linear growth, but the precise mechanisms by which nutrition interact with height gain was never fully elucidated. In the present lecture, the way by which nutrition affects linear growth will be discussed. Specifically, we will discuss the effect of nutrition on the GH- IGF-1 axis and its local effect on the chondrocytes of the epiphyseal growth plate of the long bone. Results from experimental animal studies will be presented including the epigenetic changes and the effect nutrition has on leptin and its effect on aromatase expression within the growth plate. Laboratory data and clinical data on the way by which leptin might determine the adult height will be presented.