Predicting adult obesity from childhood obesity: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract

A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to investigate the ability of simple measures of childhood obesity such as body mass index (BMI) to predict future obesity in adolescence and adulthood. Large cohort studies, which measured obesity both in childhood and in later adolescence or adulthood, using any recognized measure of obesity were sought. Study quality was assessed. Studies were pooled using diagnostic meta-analysis methods. Fifteen prospective cohort studies were included in the meta-analysis. BMI was the only measure of obesity reported in any study, with 200,777 participants followed up. Obese children and adolescents were around five times more likely to be obese in adulthood than those who were not obese. Around 55% of obese children go on to be obese in adolescence, around 80% of obese adolescents will still be obese in adulthood and around 70% will be obese over age 30. Therefore, action to reduce and prevent obesity in these adolescents is needed. However, 70% of obese adults were not obese in childhood or adolescence, so targeting obesity reduction solely at obese or overweight children needs to be considered carefully as this may not substantially reduce the overall burden of adult obesity.

Trends in Obesity Among Participants Aged 2–4 Years in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children — United States, 2000–2014

“…Childhood obesity is associated with negative health consequences in childhood (1) that continue into adulthood (2), putting adults at risk for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers (1). Obesity disproportionately affects children from low-income families (3).…”

Effect of Weight Loss on Markers of Inflammation and Endothelial Function in Childhood Obesity

“…A similar epidemic condition is undergoing in Italy, where overweight and obesity affect nearly 40% of children in Central and Southern regions [3]. Childhood and adolescent obesity is predictive of adult obesity, as previously documented [4]. Overweight and obesity are associated with hyperinsulinism and insulin resistance with an increased incidence of dyslipidemia, type 2-diabetes and cardiovascular disease already in childhood and adolescence; in particular, it has been shown that severe childhood obesity is independently associated with endothelial dysfunction and arterial wall thickening [5].…”

Youth BMI: Levels, Growth and the Maternal Relationship

“…Studies have shown that once unhealthy weight is established, it persists through adulthood [24]. However, these studies fail to acknowledge the age-dependency of adolescent weight or disentangle the influences of nature and nurture.…”