Likelihood of obesity in early and late childhood based on growth trajectory during infancy

Abstract

Background Childhood obesity rates have reached epidemic levels with Mediterranean countries reporting among the highest numbers globally. Evidence suggests early life factors, including infant growth rate, increase the likelihood of obesity later in childhood. However, optimal rates of infant growth associated with lower odds of future obesity still remain undetermined. The study aim was to determine the optimal infant growth rate associated with a lower likelihood of childhood overweight and obesity. Methods Perinatal and anthropometric data collected from 1778 Greek preschool (2–5 years old) and 2294 Greek preadolescent (10–12 years old) children participating in the ToyBox and the Healthy Growth Study (HGS) respectively, was combined for examination. Logistic regression models and receiver operating curves were used to determine the association between infant growth rate and development of childhood overweight and obesity, as well as optimal infant growth rate, respectively. Results Rapid weight gain during the first 6 months of life was positively associated with overweight and obesity in preadolescent children (OR:1.36, 95% CI: 1.13–1.63). Optimal cut-off points for several infancy growth rate indices (i.e., WAZ, WLZ, HAZ, BAZ) associated with a lower likelihood of overweight and obesity in preschool years and preadolescence were also identified. Conclusions The current findings could possibly set the basis for healthcare professionals and families to better monitor, assess, and control infant growth rates, thus providing another obesity prevention strategy from early life. These findings, however, and the recommended optimal cut-offs need to be confirmed through further prospective research.

Early body weight gain in TALLYHO/JngJ mice predicts adult diabetic phenotype, mimicking childhood obesity

“…In a recently published article, the association between infancy growth rates and overweight/obesity in greek pre-school children (2 – 5 years old) and adolescents (10 – 12 years old) were analyzed. The authors demonstrated a positive association between rapid weight gain during infancy and overweight/obesity at pre-school years and adolescence, with statistical significance in the latter (4). In this study, infancy was defined as the first 6 months of life, which roughly corresponds to the suckling period in our mouse model.…”

“…Alongside high birth weight, another significant risk factor is rapid body weight gain during early life stages (3). Recent studies have shown that accelerated body weight gain within the first six months of life correlates positively with overweight or obesity in pre-school years (age 2-5) and pre-adolescence (age 10-12) (4).…”

Betaína y lactosa en leche materna prevendrían el crecimiento acelerado de lactantes amamantados

“…No obstante, esta relación es importante porque el crecimiento en los primeros 6 meses de vida tiene un mayor impacto para determinar el riesgo de sobrepeso y obesidad en el futuro, en comparación con otros periodos de crecimiento. 2 Por lo tanto, la concentración de betaína en la leche materna puede estar influyendo en una etapa crucial para prevenir el riesgo de sobrepeso y obesidad.…”

“…1 Este problema podría iniciar con el crecimiento acelerado durante la lactancia, que es predictor del desarrollo de sobrepeso y obesidad a futuro. 2 Se reconoce al amamantamiento como medio de prevención del crecimiento acelerado en los primeros meses de vida. No obstante, se dan algunos casos de niños amamantados en exclusiva, con crecimiento acelerado y sobrepeso.…”