Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 22, 2026

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
09:36

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study

Published on: February 2, 2017

28.0K

BMI at birth and overweight at age four

Jonathan D Winter1, Yhenneko Taylor2, Lauren Mowrer3

  • 1VCU-Shenandoah Family Practice Residency, Front Royal, VA, United States.

Obesity Research & Clinical Practice
|April 13, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Newborns with a high body-mass-index (BMI) at birth are more likely to be overweight by age 4. This finding suggests newborn BMI is a better predictor of childhood overweight than newborn macrosomia.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Elevated birth weight is linked to later obesity and health issues.
  • Assessing infant adiposity has historically been challenging.
  • WHO BMI growth charts for infants under two were introduced in 2006.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the association between newborn overweight and childhood overweight at age 4.
  • To compare the predictive value of newborn body-mass-index (BMI) versus weight-for-age (WFA) for future overweight.
  • To examine the correlation between maternal obesity and newborn anthropometrics.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort analysis of anthropometric data from an integrated healthcare system.
  • Defined newborn overweight and macrosomia using WHO growth charts (BMI and WFA >85%).
  • Logistic regression models analyzed associations with 4-year-old overweight, controlling for covariates.

Main Results:

  • Both newborn BMI and WFA above the 85th percentile were significantly associated with overweight at age 4.
  • Newborn BMI >85% showed a stronger association (AOR 2.08) than WFA >85% (AOR 1.57).
  • Maternal obesity was more strongly correlated with newborn BMI >85% (AOR 4.14) than WFA >85% (AOR 3.09).

Conclusions:

  • Newborn body-mass-index (BMI) >85% is an independent predictor of overweight at age 4.
  • Newborn overweight, particularly assessed by BMI, may be a superior predictor of 4-year-old overweight compared to macrosomia.
Abstract

Keywords:
Newborn BMINewborn adiposityNewborn fatnessObesityOverweight

More Related Videos

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts07:56

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts

Published on: January 29, 2018

18.5K
Quantified Assessment of Infant's Gross Motor Abilities Using a Multisensor Wearable09:24

Quantified Assessment of Infant's Gross Motor Abilities Using a Multisensor Wearable

Published on: May 17, 2024

2.3K

Related Concept Videos

Obesity01:24

Obesity

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in...
1.5K
Signs of Puberty01:27

Signs of Puberty

Puberty is a critical phase, typically beginning between the ages of 8 and 13 in girls and 9 and 14 in boys, though timing can vary based on genetics, environmental factors, and overall health. This period is characterized by the development of secondary sexual characteristics and the attainment of reproductive potential. Endocrine changes underpin puberty, with hormonal surges of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) instigated by Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH)...
1.9K
Drug Dosing: Obese Patients01:21

Drug Dosing: Obese Patients

In the United States, obesity is a prominent concern. It is linked to heightened mortality rates due to increased occurrences of conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and diabetes compared to nonobese individuals. A patient is classified as obese if their actual body weight surpasses the ideal or desirable body weight by 20%, based on Metropolitan Life Insurance Company data. Ideal body weights consider average weights and heights for males and females...
334
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
1.3K
Bulimia Nervosa01:30

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by a cyclical pattern of binge-and-purge eating pattern. It generally involves an episode of binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, laxative use, or fasting, to prevent weight gain. Despite often maintaining a normal weight, individuals with bulimia are intensely preoccupied with their body image and harbor an overwhelming fear of gaining weight. This can contribute to the...
970
z Scores and Area Under the Curve01:17

z Scores and Area Under the Curve

z scores are the standardized values obtained after converting a normal distribution into a standard normal distribution. A z score is measured in units of the standard deviation. The z score tells you how many standard deviations the value x is above (to the right of) or below (to the left of) the mean, μ. Values of x that are larger than the mean have positive z scores, and values of x that are smaller than the mean have negative z scores. If x equals the mean, then x has a z score of...
20.1K