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Factors related to patterns of body mass index in early infancy: 18 month longitudinal study

Tohru Fujiwara1, Tatsuya Oguni, Gen Unishi

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan.

Pediatrics International : Official Journal of the Japan Pediatric Society
|December 5, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Approximately 10% of infants show early adiposity rebound (AR), deviating from standard BMI curves. These infants were less likely to be exclusively breast-fed, highlighting the importance of breastfeeding for healthy infant growth.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Growth and Development
  • Public Health Nutrition

Background:

  • Early adiposity rebound (AR) in children, identified via body mass index (BMI) growth curves, is linked to increased adult metabolic disease risk.
  • The specific characteristics of infants experiencing early AR require further investigation to understand prevalence and contributing factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of early adiposity rebound (AR) in infants.
  • To characterize the infants who exhibit early AR, focusing on growth patterns and feeding practices.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 1248 full-term children and their mothers provided longitudinal data from pre-pregnancy through 18 months of age.
  • Infants were categorized into a 'decrease' (D) group (standard BMI percentile curve) or an 'increase' (I) group (early AR) based on BMI changes between 4 and 18 months.

Main Results:

  • Infants in the 'increase' (early AR) group showed lower weight at 4 months and higher weight at 18 months compared to the 'decrease' group.
  • Exclusive breastfeeding rates were significantly lower among infants in the 'increase' group (early AR).
  • The growth pattern in the early AR group suggests initial low fatness followed by rapid fat gain.

Conclusions:

  • Around 10% of infants (151/1248) did not follow standard BMI percentile curves between 4 and 18 months, indicating early AR.
  • Infants with early AR were more likely to have not been exclusively breast-fed.
  • These findings underscore the critical role of exclusive breastfeeding in promoting healthy infant growth trajectories and potentially mitigating risks associated with early adiposity rebound.
Abstract

Keywords:
body mass indexearly infancylongitudinal studymetabolic disease

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