Childhood diet and growth in boys in relation to timing of puberty and adult height: the Longitudinal Studies of Child Health and Development

Purpose: To begin to explore the possible roles of childhood diet and growth in prostate cancer (PCa) development, we investigated these exposures in relation to two known/suspected PCa risk factors, earlier pubertal timing and greater attained height, in the Longitudinal Studies of Child Health and Development. Methods: We used biannual/annual height, weight, and dietary history data to investigate childhood diet, body mass index (BMI), birth length, and childhood height in relation to PCa risk factors (age at peak height velocity (APHV), height at age 13, and adult height) for 64 Caucasian American boys. Results: In adjusted models, childhood fat and animal protein intake was positively associated with height at age 13 and adult height (P < 0.05). A childhood diet high in fat and animal protein and low in vegetable protein was also associated with earlier APHV (P < 0.05), whereas no associations were observed for childhood energy intake or BMI. Birth length and childhood height were positively associated with height at age 13 and adult height, and childhood height was inversely associated with APHV (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that both childhood diet and growth potential/growth contribute to earlier pubertal timing and taller attained height in males, supporting roles of these factors in PCa development.