Neck circumference is similarly predicting for impairment of glucose tolerance as classic anthropometric parameters among healthy and obese children and adolescents.

Background: The objective of the study was to investigate the association of neck circumference (NC) to parameters of glucose homeostasis compared to classical anthropometric parameters of lean and obese children.

Methods: Three dimensional (3D)-body scanning quantified anthropometric (height, weight, NC, hip/waist circumference, BMI) and metabolic parameters (fasting plasma glucose [FPG], insulin, HbA1c, oGTT, HOMA-IR) were determined cross-sectionally in 1542 participants (5-18 years).

Results: NC was positively correlated with all metabolic parameters, except for FPG.

Validity and intraobserver reliability of three-dimensional scanning compared with conventional anthropometry for children and adolescents from a population-based cohort study.

Background: Conventional anthropometric measurements are time consuming and require well trained medical staff. To use three-dimensional whole body laser scanning in daily clinical work, validity, and reliability have to be confirmed.

Methods: We compared a whole body laser scanner with conventional anthropometry in a group of 473 children and adolescents from the Leipzig Research Centre for Civilization Diseases (LIFE-Child).

Managing incidental findings and disclosure of results in a paediatric research cohort - the LIFE Child Study cohort.

Objective: To assess the frequency of incidental findings (IFs) in the population-based "Leipzig Research Centre for Civilization Diseases (LIFE) Child Study" within 1 year.

Methods: From July 2011 to June 2012, 969 children participated in the study. The IFs were analysed with respect to age, gender, type of examination and clinical action taken.

The LIFE child study: a life course approach to disease and health.

Background: Profound knowledge about child growth, development, health, and disease in contemporary children and adolescents is still rare. Epidemiological studies together with new powerful research technologies present exciting opportunities to the elucidation of risk factor-outcome associations with potentially major consequences for prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Aim: To conduct a unique prospective longitudinal cohort study in order to assess how environmental, metabolic and genetic factors affect growth, development and health from fetal life to adulthood.