BMI Development of Normal Weight and Overweight Children in the PIAMA Study

Abstract

BackgroundThere is evidence that rapid weight gain during the first year of life is associated with overweight later in life. However, results from studies exploring other critical periods for the development of overweight are inconsistent.ObjectiveThe objective was to investigate BMI development to assess at what ages essential differences between normal weight and overweight children occur, and to assess which age intervals the most strongly influence the risk of overweight at 8 years of age.MethodsLongitudinal weight and height data were collected by annual questionnaires in a population of 3963 children participating in the PIAMA birth cohort study. BMI and BMI standard deviation scores (SDS) were calculated for every year from birth until 8 years of age. BMI, BMI SDS and BMI SDS change in each 1-year-age interval were compared between children with and without overweight at 8 years of age, using t-tests, logistic regression analysis and the analysis of response profiles method.ResultsAt 8 years of age, 10.5% of the children were overweight. Already at the age of 1 year, these children had a significantly higher mean BMI SDS than normal weight 8-year-olds, (0.53 vs 0.04). In each 1-year-age interval the change in BMI SDS was significantly associated with overweight at 8 years with odds ratios increasing from 1.14 (95% CI 1.04–1.24) per 1 SDS increase at 0–1 year to 2.40 (95% CI 2.09–2.76) at 7–8 years.ConclusionAt every age, starting already in the first year of life, a rapid increase in BMI SDS was significantly associated with overweight risk at the age of 8 years. There was no evidence for a specific critical period for the development of overweight. Prevention of overweight should start early in life and be continued with age-specific interventions throughout childhood.

Early life risk factors of being overweight at 10 years of age: results of the German birth cohorts GINIplus and LISAplus

“…The results of this study suggest that there is no specific critical time period during development that is notably associated with being overweight later in childhood. 39 In contrast, our results show that BMI at approximately 5 years of age, which might be the time of the adiposity rebound, is a strong predictor of being overweight later in life. There are important differences between this study and the recent Dutch study, which may explain the differing results.…”

Important periods of weight development in childhood: a population-based longitudinal study

“…Although most studies indicate that early weight gain is associated with being overweight later in life, they are often hampered by limitations such as a small number of participants [13,15,17], not being population based [15,18], or being based on self-reported data [11]. Larger population-based studies are needed to evaluate the association of early growth patterns with the subsequent development of being overweight and obese.…”

Establishment of Intestinal Microbiota during Early Life: a Longitudinal, Explorative Study of a Large Cohort of Danish Infants

“…A more complex, stable, and adult-like microbiota is established between 1 and 2 years after birth (11)(12)(13), the composition of which is believed to affect the risk of several lifestyle-related disorders, including obesity and type 2 diabetes (14,15). Increased prevalence of childhood obesity is currently a major societal concern due to the high association with adult obesity (16,17). It has also been proposed that obesity in adults may be related to the capacity of the gut microbiota to harvest energy through breakdown of indigestible polysaccharides (18,19).…”