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Euro-Growth references for body mass index and weight for length. Euro-Growth Study Group

M A van't Hof1, F Haschke

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, University of Vienna, Austria.

Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
|July 15, 2000
PubMed

Insights

New Euro-Growth references for body mass index (BMI) and weight for length (WfL) were developed using longitudinal data from 2145 children. These sex-specific charts offer improved tools for assessing childhood growth and obesity during the first 36 months of life.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric growth assessment
  • Anthropometry
  • Childhood obesity research

Background:

  • Longitudinal data from the multicenter Euro-Growth study (n=2145) were utilized.
  • The study included 21 diverse study sites.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop sex-specific percentiles and Z-scores for body mass index (BMI) and weight for length (WfL).
  • To establish growth references for infants during the first 36 months of life.

Main Methods:

  • Smoothed percentile curves for BMI and WfL were constructed and validated against raw data.
  • Relationships between BMI, length, WfL, and age were examined.
  • Influence of gender, geography, and genetics on growth parameters was assessed.
  • New references were compared with existing NCHS references.

Main Results:

  • BMI percentiles showed a rapid increase from 1-6 months, followed by a decline from 12-36 months.
  • WfL percentiles closely matched raw data; BMI was largely independent of length, while WfL showed age dependence.
  • Geographic location had a modest influence; parental factors showed weak correlations.
  • Euro-Growth references provided a wider range compared to NCHS references.

Conclusions:

  • The developed Euro-Growth references for BMI and WfL offer enhanced tools for healthcare professionals.
  • These references are valuable for monitoring childhood growth and identifying obesity in early life.
Abstract

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