Group-based trajectory modelling for BMI trajectories in childhood: A systematic review

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Public Health
• Biostatistics

Background:

• Childhood obesity presents a significant public health challenge.
• Understanding body mass index (BMI) trajectories in early life is crucial for intervention.
• Group-based trajectory modeling offers insights into developmental patterns of BMI.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review studies on childhood BMI trajectories using group-based modeling.
• To identify determinants associated with different BMI trajectories.
• To explore the link between BMI trajectories and body composition outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Systematic search of five databases for studies tracking BMI from birth.
• Inclusion of studies employing latent class growth analysis or growth mixture modeling.
• Analysis of 14 identified studies reporting BMI trajectories in early childhood.

Main Results:

• Most studies identified three or four distinct BMI trajectories.
• High maternal pre-pregnancy BMI was a key predictor of rapid weight gain trajectories.
• Rapid weight gain and stable high BMI trajectories showed associations with follow-up body measures, but consistency varied.

Conclusions:

• Distinct childhood BMI trajectories exist, with rapid gain and stable high BMI patterns being common.
• Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI is a significant risk factor for adverse BMI trajectories.
• While associations with body composition exist, inconsistencies across studies limit definitive conclusions on long-term outcomes.