Changes in High Weight-for-Length among Infants Enrolled in Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women,
Liping Pan1, Heidi M Blanck2, Deborah A Galuska2
1Office on Smoking and Health, Physical Activity, and Obesity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Insights
High weight-for-length prevalence in young children decreased overall from 2010-2018, stabilizing after 2014. Continued obesity prevention strategies are crucial for healthy child development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Public Health Surveillance
- Obesity Epidemiology
Background:
- High weight-for-length in infants and young children is a risk factor for adult obesity.
- The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) serves a large population of young children.
- Understanding trends in high weight-for-length is critical for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of high weight-for-length among WIC participants aged 3-23 months.
- To analyze changes in this prevalence between 2010 and 2018.
- To identify demographic and geographic variations in prevalence trends.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 11,366,755 WIC participants (ages 3-23 months) from 2010-2018.
- Defined high weight-for-length as ≥2 standard deviations above WHO growth chart medians.
- Employed logistic regression to calculate adjusted prevalence differences and assess statistical significance.
Main Results:
- Overall adjusted prevalence of high weight-for-length decreased from 2010-2014 and stabilized through 2018.
- Prevalence declined across most demographic groups but showed a slight increase for 12-17 month olds and American Indian/Alaska Native children after 2014.
- Significant decreases were observed in 33 WIC agencies, while 8 showed significant increases between 2010-2018.
Conclusions:
- A notable decline in high weight-for-length prevalence occurred from 2010-2018, with stabilization observed since 2014.
- Variations in trends suggest the need for targeted interventions and continued monitoring.
- Sustained obesity prevention efforts within WIC and other settings are essential for promoting healthy growth trajectories.
Abstract:
Background: Infants and young children with high weight-for-length are at increased risk for obesity in later life. This study describes prevalence of high weight-for-length and examines changes during 2010-2018 among 11,366,755 infants and young children 3-23 months of age in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Methods: Children's weights and lengths were measured. High weight-for-length was defined as ≥2 standard deviations above sex and age-specific median on World Health Organization growth charts. Adjusted prevalence differences (APDs) between years were calculated as 100 times marginal effects from logistic regression models. APD was statistically significant if 95% confidence interval did not include 0. Results: Adjusted prevalence of high weight-for-length decreased from 2010 to 2014, and leveled off through 2018 overall, in boys and girls, those 6-11 and 18-23 months of age, and non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks, Hispanics, and Asians/Pacific Islanders. For 12-17 months old and American Indian/Alaska Native infants and young children, adjusted prevalence decreased from 2010 to 2014, and then increased slightly through 2018. Among 56 WIC state or territorial agencies, 33 had significant decreases between 2010 and 2018, whereas 8 had significant increases. Between 2014 and 2018, prevalence decreased significantly in 12 agencies and increased significantly in 23. Conclusions: The results indicate overall declines in prevalence of high weight-for-length from 2010 to 2018, with a prevalence stabilization since 2014. Continued surveillance is needed. Obesity prevention strategies in WIC and multiple settings are important for ensuring healthy child growth.
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