TY  - JOUR
A1  - Niere, Oliver
A1  - Spannemann, Lisa
A1  - Stenzel, Patrick
A1  - Bogin, Barry
A1  - Hermanussen, Michael
A1  - Scheffler, Christiane
T1  - Plasticity of human growth
BT  - a systematic review on psychosocial factors influencing growth
JF  - Journal of biological and clinical anthropology : Anthropologischer Anzeiger ; Mitteilungsorgan der Gesellschaft für Anthropologie
N2  - Background:
This systematic review aimed at collecting, analyzing and summarizing scientific studies focusing on psychosocial factors that influence linear growth among humans. 

Methods:
The online database "PubMed" was used in order to acquire suitable scientific studies. These studies were evaluated based on clearly defined criteria that determine whether a study was to be excluded or included in the literature review. In the end, a total sum of 36 studies remained, which were carefully analyzed and used to generate an overview of the association between psychosocial factors and linear growth.

Results:
In the 36 reviewed studies, different social and psychological factors, such as socioeconomic status, parental education or emotional deprivation were set in relation to physical growth among humans. The studies were listed and summarized, depending on the investigated psychosocial factor. A clear association between psychosocial factors and growth could be observed in most of the reviewed studies. Discussion: Based on the results of the reviewed studies it could be concluded that the regulation of linear growth is also subject to different psychosocial factors. The way in which the developing human and the specific social environment interact seemed to have a major impact on linear growth. Statusspecific stress was discussed as one possible explanation for the regulating mechanism of human linear growth.
KW  - linear growth
KW  - final body height
KW  - regulation
KW  - psychosocial factors
KW  - social factors
KW  - psychological factors
Y1  - 2020
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1127/anthranz/2020/1223
SN  - 0003-5548
SN  - 2363-7099
VL  - 77
IS  - 5
SP  - 431
EP  - 443
PB  - Schweizerbart
CY  - Stuttgart
ER  -