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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
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Comprehensive determinants of growth trajectories and body composition in school children: A longitudinal cohort

Hsien-Yu Fan1, Yungling Leo Lee2, Shwu-Huey Yang3

  • 1Department of Family Medicine, Taipei City Hospital, ZhongXing Branch, Taipei, Taiwan.

Obesity Research & Clinical Practice
|December 11, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Childhood obesity trajectories are influenced by factors like income, sleep, birth weight, and physical activity. Targeted interventions focusing on modifiable factors are recommended for preventing obesity.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric endocrinology
  • Public health
  • Childhood obesity research

Background:

  • Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern with complex etiological factors.
  • Understanding distinct Body Mass Index (BMI) trajectories is crucial for effective intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the dynamic and comprehensive etiology of adiposity index trajectories in children.
  • To identify non-modifiable and modifiable factors influencing different BMI growth patterns.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of data from 5572 children (aged 6-11 years) in the Taiwan Children Health Study (TCHS).
  • Identification of four distinct BMI trajectories: persistently healthy weight, late-onset overweight/obesity, persistent overweight/obesity, and declining BMI.
  • Logistic regression and generalized estimating equations used to assess factors influencing BMI trajectories and adiposity indices.

Main Results:

  • Persistently healthy weight (Class 1) served as the reference group.
  • Increased risk of weight and fat gain (Class 2) associated with lower income and poor sleep.
  • Higher risk of persistent and abdominal obesity (Class 3) linked to higher birth weight and sedentary lifestyle.
  • Declining BMI (Class 4) showed reduced body fat and central obesity due to increased physical activity.

Conclusions:

  • Identified key non-modifiable and modifiable factors associated with distinct childhood BMI trajectories.
  • Quantified the contribution of modifiable factors to adiposity indices.
  • Recommended focusing on dynamic, modifiable factors for preventing obese growth trajectories.
Abstract

Keywords:
ChildrenGenetic determinantModifiable factorsObesity indexTrajectory

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