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Updated: Jul 8, 2025

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study

Published on: February 2, 2017

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Childhood BMI trajectories predict cardiometabolic risk and perceived stress at age 13 years: the STARS cohort

Yun Chen1, Frida Dangardt2,3, Lars Gelander4

  • 1School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)
|December 19, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Children with excessive weight gain trajectories from birth are at higher risk for cardiometabolic issues and stress by age 13. Early BMI gain significantly impacts adolescent health outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Cardiovascular Health
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Childhood Body Mass Index (BMI) trajectories are critical indicators of future health.
  • Understanding the long-term impact of early-life BMI on adolescent health is essential for preventative strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze Body Mass Index (BMI) trajectories from birth through childhood.
  • To investigate the association between these BMI trajectories and health outcomes at age 13.
  • To determine the critical time windows during which early-life BMI influences adolescent health.

Main Methods:

  • Group-based trajectory modeling was used to analyze retrospective weight and height data from birth.
  • Linear regression assessed associations between BMI trajectories and health outcomes at age 13.
  • Health outcomes included waist circumference (WC), systolic blood pressure (SBP), psychosomatic symptoms, and perceived stress.

Main Results:

  • Three distinct BMI trajectories were identified: normal, moderate, and excessive gain.
  • Adolescents with excessive BMI gain exhibited significantly higher WC, SBP, white blood cell counts (WBC), and stress levels at age 13 compared to normal gain.
  • The association between early-life BMI and SBP emerged around age 6 for the excessive gain group, versus age 12 for normal and moderate gain groups.

Conclusions:

  • An excessive BMI gain trajectory from birth is a predictor of cardiometabolic risk and stress in adolescents.
  • Early identification and management of excessive BMI gain are crucial for mitigating long-term health risks.
  • The timing of BMI changes in early life has a differential impact on adolescent cardiovascular health.
Abstract

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