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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study

Published on: February 2, 2017

Early predictors of obesity and cardiovascular risk among American Indian children

Sara M Lindberg1, Alexandra K Adams, Ronald J Prince

  • 1UW Center for Women's Health and Health Disparities Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 310 N. Midvale Blvd., Suite 201, Madison, WI 53705, USA. smlindberg@wisc.edu

Maternal and Child Health Journal
|April 25, 2012
PubMed

Insights

American Indian children face high obesity rates. Key factors like excess weight gain during pregnancy and early breastfeeding cessation significantly impact a child's body mass index (BMI) within the first year of life, influencing later health outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric obesity
  • Cardiovascular health in children
  • American Indian health disparities

Background:

  • American Indian (AI) children exhibit the highest obesity rates in the U.S., with increasing trends.
  • Childhood obesity is linked to adverse cardiovascular risk markers.
  • Understanding early life determinants is crucial for intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate prenatal and early postnatal factors influencing body mass index (BMI) trajectories in AI children.
  • To examine the impact of early life factors on adiposity and cardiovascular risk markers.
  • To identify critical periods for intervention in AI children's weight management.

Main Methods:

  • Screening of 471 AI children (ages 5-8) from three Wisconsin tribes.
  • Collection of anthropometric, body fat, lipid, and glucose data.
  • Utilized tribal WIC records and clinic charts for BMI trajectories, maternal, and feeding environment data.

Main Results:

  • 47% of children were overweight or obese.
  • Childhood BMI category was primarily established within the first year of life.
  • Macrosomia, excess gestational weight gain, and early breastfeeding cessation predicted BMI at age 1.
  • Overweight/obesity at age 1 correlated with higher adiposity and LDL cholesterol at ages 5-8.

Conclusions:

  • Early postnatal factors, including maternal weight gain and breastfeeding duration, significantly shape infant BMI.
  • Infant BMI at age 1 is a strong predictor of cardiovascular risk markers in early childhood.
  • Targeting the first year of life is critical for preventing obesity and cardiovascular risks in AI children.

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