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Association between birthweight and body mass index at 3 years of age

T Tanaka1, A Matsuzaki, R Kuromaru

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.

Pediatrics International : Official Journal of the Japan Pediatric Society
|December 12, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Higher birthweight and rapid early weight gain in infants are linked to increased risk of being overweight by age 3. These factors are crucial for monitoring childhood obesity risk.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Childhood Obesity Research

Background:

  • Childhood obesity is a significant risk factor for adult obesity and associated chronic diseases like hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes.
  • Identifying early predictors of childhood body mass index (BMI) is crucial for timely intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify key perinatal factors associated with body mass index (BMI) at 3 years of age in children.
  • To understand the early life predictors of childhood overweight and obesity.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 588 children was analyzed.
  • Body mass index (BMI) at 3 years was assessed against perinatal characteristics including birthweight, infant feeding method, and parental factors.

Main Results:

  • Birthweight, weight gain in the first month, and BMI at 1 month were significantly associated with BMI at 3 years.
  • Multivariate analysis confirmed birthweight and first-month weight gain as independent predictors of BMI at 3 years.

Conclusions:

  • Infants with higher birthweight and accelerated weight gain during the first month are at increased risk of being overweight by age 3.
  • These findings highlight critical early life indicators for potential childhood obesity.
Abstract

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