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Is infant growth changing?

A R Tate1, C Dezateux, T J Cole

  • 1Centre for Paediatric Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK. rosemary.tate@iop.kcl

International Journal of Obesity (2005)
|June 28, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Infant weight gain from birth to 9 months varies by ethnicity, with Black infants gaining the most and Asian infants the least. Childhood obesity likely begins after 9 months, not during this early period.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric growth and development
  • Public health and epidemiology
  • Childhood obesity research

Background:

  • Understanding infant growth patterns is crucial for identifying potential health risks.
  • Previous studies indicate variations in infant weight gain based on demographic factors.
  • The rising prevalence of childhood obesity necessitates investigation into early life factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze weight gain differences in infants up to 9 months by sex, ethnicity, and country of birth.
  • To compare current infant weight gain with a cohort from a decade prior.
  • To assess the onset of the childhood obesity epidemic in relation to early infant growth.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of weight and weight gain data from 12,903 term infants in the Millennium Cohort Study.
  • Standardized weight and weight gain comparisons between ethnic groups and countries of birth.
  • Longitudinal comparison with a historical cohort of infants born 10 years earlier.

Main Results:

  • Significant ethnic variations in weight gain were observed; Black infants showed the highest, and Asian infants the lowest.
  • White boys in England and Scotland exhibited faster growth than girls; no significant gender differences were found in other groups or locations.
  • Minimal difference in weight gain between current and historical white English infant cohorts.

Conclusions:

  • Early infant weight gain (0-9 months) shows significant ethnic and geographical variations.
  • Current infant growth patterns do not differ substantially from a decade ago, suggesting later onset of obesity.
  • The childhood obesity epidemic appears to emerge after the first 9 months of life.

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