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Updated: Jun 28, 2025
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Body composition and motor function in children born large for gestational age at term
Yuji Ito1,2, Tadashi Ito3, Sho Narahara4
1Department of Pediatrics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Aichi, Japan. yuji.ito@med.nagoya-u.ac.jp.
Insights
Children born large for gestational age (LGA) have higher fat mass and poorer gait quality. Monitoring these factors in school-aged children may reduce risks of metabolic syndrome and impaired gait function.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Biokinesiology
Background:
- Large for gestational age (LGA) birth is associated with altered childhood development.
- Understanding the impact of LGA on body composition and motor function is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare body composition and motor function in term-born children who were large for gestational age (LGA) versus appropriate for gestational age (AGA).
- To investigate associations between gait quality and factors including LGA status, fat mass, and motor function.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study comparing LGA (n=23) and AGA (n=147) children aged 6-12 years.
- Body composition assessed via bioelectrical impedance; motor function via one-leg standing, timed up-and-go, five times sit-to-stand, and 3D gait analysis.
- Multiple regression analysis examined the gait deviation index in relation to LGA status, fat mass index, and motor functions.
Main Results:
- LGA children exhibited a significantly higher fat mass index (2.9 vs. 2.2, p=0.006) and a lower gait deviation index (91.4 vs. 95.4, p=0.011) compared to AGA children.
- Gait deviation index was significantly associated with LGA birth status and fat mass index in regression analyses.
- No significant differences were found in balance or muscle strength between the groups.
Conclusions:
- School-aged children born LGA demonstrate distinct body composition and gait characteristics.
- Increased fat mass and reduced gait quality in LGA children warrant monitoring to mitigate risks.
- Early identification and management of these factors may help prevent metabolic syndrome and gait impairments.
Background:
This cross-sectional study compared body composition and motor function between children who were born large for gestational age (LGA) and those born appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and to investigate the association between gait quality and other variables.
Methods:
Body composition was determined using a bioelectrical impedance analyzer. Motor functions were assessed using one-leg standing time, timed up-and-go test, five times sit-to-stand test, and three-dimensional gait analysis. We compared the results between two groups. We performed multiple regression analysis to evaluate the association between gait deviation index and variables of LGA, fat mass index, and motor functions (adjusted for age and sex).
Results:
Children aged 6-12 years who were born LGA at term (n = 23) and those who were born AGA at term (n = 147) were enrolled. The LGA group had a higher fat mass index (2.9 vs. 2.2, p = 0.006) and lower gait deviation index (91.4 vs. 95.4, p = 0.011) than the AGA group. On multiple regression analysis, gait deviation index was associated with being LGA and fat mass index.
Conclusions:
In school-aged children who were born LGA, monitoring increased fat mass index and decreased gait deviation index could lessen the risk of metabolic syndrome and reduced gait function.
Impact:
Children aged 6-12 years who were born large for gestational age (LGA) at term showed a higher fat mass index and lower gait deviation index than those who were born appropriate for gestational age at term. No significant differences in balance function or muscle strength were observed between groups. On multiple regression analysis, gait deviation index was associated with being LGA at birth and fat mass index. In school-aged children who were born LGA, monitoring increased fat mass index and decreased gait deviation index could lessen the risk of metabolic syndrome and reduced gait function.
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