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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Birth weight and overweight or obesity risk in children under 3 years in China
Nan Li1, Enquing Liu, Shurong Sun
1Tianjin Women's and Children's Health Center, Tianjin, China; Chronic Disease Epidemiology Laboratory, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Insights
Higher birth weight in children is linked to an increased risk of childhood overweight and obesity up to age three. This study highlights birth weight as a key factor in early-life weight management for children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a growing global health concern.
- Early life factors, including birth weight, are critical determinants of long-term health outcomes.
- Understanding the relationship between birth weight and subsequent overweight/obesity is essential for preventative strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between various birth weight categories and the risk of developing overweight or obesity in children up to three years of age.
- To quantify the increased odds of overweight/obesity associated with higher birth weights.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective cohort study analyzing health care records of 55,925 children from birth to three years.
- Body weight and length measurements were collected between 2009 and 2011.
- Statistical analysis adjusted for multiple confounding factors including gestational age, maternal characteristics, socioeconomic status, and feeding methods.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of overweight/obesity varied across age groups, with the highest rates observed at 0.5 and 1 year.
- A significant positive association was found between higher birth weight and the risk of overweight/obesity from six months to three years.
- Children with birth weights of 3,000-3,499g, 3,500-3,999g, 4,000-4,499g, and >4,500g had significantly increased odds ratios (1.35-4.90 folds) for overweight/obesity compared to the 2,500-2,999g reference group.
Conclusions:
- Higher birth weight is a significant predictor of increased risk for overweight and obesity in early childhood.
- These findings underscore the importance of monitoring birth weight as a potential indicator for future weight management interventions in children.
- The study emphasizes the need for targeted public health initiatives addressing the link between birth weight and childhood obesity in the studied population.
Objective:
To investigate the association between different levels of birth weight and the risk of overweight and obesity in children aged 3 years and under.
Methods:
Between 2009 and 2011, health care records of 55,925 children had been collected, and body weight and length had been measured from birth to 3 years old.
Results:
Prevalence of overweight/obesity (BMI ≥85th percentiles and BMI ≥95th percentiles, referring to WHO BMI standards) at 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 years of age are 34.7%/16.8%, 36.4%/17.7%, 26.6%/11.0%, 22.3%/9.3%, respectively. There was a positive association between birth weight and childhood overweight or obesity from 6 months to 3 years of age. After adjustment for gestational age, maternal age, weight gain during pregnancy, maternal history of diabetes, mother's and father's education, occupation, and health status, family income, feeding modalities, and sex, the odds ratios (ORs) of overweight or obesity were significantly higher among children whose birth weights were 3,000-3,499 g (1.35-1.53 folds), 3,500-3,999 g (2.09-2.37 folds), 4,000-4,499 g (2.80-3.32 folds), and more than 4,500 g (3.54-4.90 folds), compared with the reference group (2,500-2,999 g).
Conclusions:
Higher levels of birth weight were associated with an increased risk of overweight or obesity among Chinese children from 6 months to 3 years of age.
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