Biological maturity and body composition changes during pubertal growth: a longitudinal study of korean adolescents

Eungu Kang; Dohyun Chun; Jongho Kang; Jihun Kim; Young-Jun Rhie

doi:10.1530/endoabs.110.P916

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Endocrine Abstracts (2025) 110 P916 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.110.P916

ECEESPE2025 Poster Presentations Pituitary, Neuroendocrinology and Puberty (162 abstracts)

Biological maturity and body composition changes during pubertal growth: a longitudinal study of korean adolescents

Eungu Kang ¹ , Dohyun Chun ² , Jongho Kang ³ , Jihun Kim ³ & Young-Jun Rhie ¹

Author affiliations

¹Korea University College of Medicine, Pediatrics, Seoul, South Korea; ²College of Business Administration, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, South Korea; ³College of Humanities & Social Sciences Convergence, Yonsei University, Wonju, South Korea

JOINT2512

Objective: To conduct a systematic and comprehensive analysis of body composition changes across pubertal growth stages in Korean adolescents, focusing on the age at onset of growth spurt (AOGS) and age at peak height velocity (APHV).

Materials and Methods: This study utilized longitudinal data from 77 boys and 122 girls aged 7-16 years. The Superimposition by Translation and Rotation (SITAR) model was applied to estimate individual growth curves and identify the timing of pubertal growth. Fourteen anthropometric and body composition variables were examined, including height, weight, lean mass, fat mass, and various derived measures. Body composition and its changes were systematically analyzed in alignment with pubertal growth stage.

Results: For girls, the mean AOGS was observed at 8.75 years, with APHV occurring at 10.92 years. For boys, AOGS occurred at 9.68 years and APHV at 11.91 years. Significant increases in height, weight, and lean mass components were observed around both AOGS and APHV for both sexes, with changes more pronounced around APHV, particularly for boys. Height velocity at AOGS was 6.02 cm/year for boys and 5.97 cm/year for girls, increasing to 10.41 cm/year and 8.30 cm/year respectively at APHV. Body fat percentage increased significantly around AOGS in both sexes (boys: +2.16 percentage points, girls: +1.94 percentage points) but showed different patterns around APHV, with girls maintaining relatively stable ratios (-0.24 percentage points) and boys experiencing a significant shift towards decreased adiposity (-3.92 percentage points).

Conclusion: This study provides detailed insights into pubertal growth patterns and body composition changes in Korean adolescents around AOGS and APHV. The SITAR method applied to longitudinal data enabled the examination of individual growth trajectories and within-person changes throughout pubertal development. This comprehensive analysis of body composition parameters enhances our understanding of developmental patterns and sexual dimorphism in pubertal growth processes, contributing to a broader perspective on adolescent development.