Height loss in adulthood is associated with health outcomes in later life in men and women enrolled in the 1946 UK Birth Cohort (NSHD)

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between height in childhood and relative height loss in adult-hood, and to examine the association between height loss and health at age 69. DesignCohort study. SettingData from one of the oldest ongoing cohort studies, the National Survey of Health and Development (NSHD, 1946 UK birth cohort) Participants2,119 study participants who completed the nurse home visit during the 24th and most recent available follow-up examination at age 69. Main outcome measuresLinear regression models to estimate the association between measured height in childhood years relative height loss between ages 36 and 69. Logistic regression models using generalized additive models to estimate the probability of worse health at age 69 (chronic disease score, general health status, osteoarthritis, and pain while walking) in association with height loss. ResultsBetween the ages of 36 and 69, men lost an average of 2.03 cm and women 2.44 cm. Women lost significantly more height than men (p<0.001). The taller the participants were at a young age, the more height they lost in adulthood. There was a significant association between height loss in adulthood on the one hand and general health, chronic disease score (in men), osteoarthritis (in men), and walking pain at age 69. These findings largely persisted after adjusting the models for overweight, sociodemo-graphic information, and lifestyle factors earlier in life. ConclusionsHeight loss seems to mirror deteriorating health as people age. Height measurement and assessment of height loss should be part of regular examinations after the age of 40 to monitor general health status, especially in the case of severe height loss.