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Updated: Aug 30, 2025
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
First year infant weight trajectories predict overweight/obesity at age 2 in a diverse population
Caryn E S Oshiro1, Timothy B Frankland1, A Gabriela Rosales2
1Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, Center for Integrated Health Care Research, 501 Alakawa St. Suite 201, Honolulu, HI 96817, USA.
Insights
Infant weight gain patterns in the first year are linked to childhood obesity risk. Slower weight deceleration and higher birth weight increase odds of being overweight or obese by age two.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Growth and Development
- Obesity Research
Background:
- Early childhood obesity is a growing concern, with risk potentially identifiable through infant growth patterns.
- This study investigated the association between infant weight gain in the first year of life and the development of overweight/obesity by age two.
Discussion:
- Infant growth trajectories, particularly weight gain rates and deceleration, are significant predictors of early childhood obesity.
- Factors such as birth weight, slower weight deceleration, female sex, and Native Hawaiian race/ethnicity were associated with increased risk.
Key Insights:
- A linear relationship exists between birth weight and initial weight gain and the odds of developing overweight/obesity by age two.
- Infants with slower weight deceleration rates demonstrated significantly higher odds of becoming overweight/obese.
- Specific demographic factors like female sex and Native Hawaiian ethnicity were also identified as risk indicators.
Outlook:
- First-year infant weight gain patterns are crucial risk factors for early childhood obesity.
- Further research into sociocultural and nutritional influences on infant growth is necessary to develop targeted interventions.
Background:
Obesity is emerging as early as two years of age and risk may be elucidated by differences in infant growth trajectories. We examined infant weight gain in the first year of life and association with overweight/obesity at age two.
Methods:
In a diverse, population-based cohort study we conducted growth curve analysis using Health Maintenance Organization electronic medical record data from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2013.
Results:
Among 930 infants, there was a linear relationship with birth weight and initial weight gain from birth and increased odds of developing overweight/obesity at age two [Odds Ratio OR = 1.001; (95% CI: 1.000-1.002), p = 0.0274] and [OR = 1.009; (1.006-1.01), p = 0.0001) respectively. The odds of becoming overweight/obese at age 2 increased in infants who had slower weight deceleration rates (OR third quartile = 2.78, fourth quartile = 4.3) compared to the first quartile. Other factors associated with overweight/obesity risk at age two included female sex and Native Hawaiian race/ethnicity.
Conclusions:
Rate of weight gain in the first year may be an important risk factor for early childhood obesity. A deeper dive into first year growth patterns and related sociocultural and nutritional factors is needed to inform targetable points for intervention.
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