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Taller stature after postnatal rapid weight gain in early infancy predicts overweight status at age 3

Izumi Akaboshi1, Yougo Haraguchi, Yuuji Mizumoto

  • 1Akaboshi Pediatric Clinic, Kumamoto City Medical Association, Kumamoto, Japan. akaboshi@orange.ocn.ne.jp

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|July 16, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Rapid weight gain in early infancy is linked to taller stature and being overweight by age 3. Taller growth after rapid infancy weight gain predicts later overweight status in children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Child Health
  • Growth and Development

Background:

  • Early infancy weight gain patterns can influence long-term health outcomes.
  • Understanding the relationship between infant growth and later overweight status is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between rapid postnatal weight gain and subsequent tall stature and overweight status at age 3.
  • To determine if taller stature following rapid infant weight gain predicts overweight status at age 3.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort study of 1353 subjects in Kumamoto, Japan (2003-2004).
  • Weight gain rate calculated (100 g/month) and categorized as rapid/slow using weight standard deviation (SD).
  • Overweight status at 3 years defined by International Obesity Task Force criteria.

Main Results:

  • 4.7% of subjects were overweight at age 3.
  • Rapid postnatal weight gain was associated with height increases and predicted overweight status at age 3.
  • Taller stature at 6-9 and 17-20 months post-rapid weight gain predicted overweight status at age 3.

Conclusions:

  • Taller stature following rapid early infancy weight gain is a predictor of overweight status at age 3.
  • Rapid infant weight gain may accelerate statural growth in children who become overweight.
Abstract

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