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Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
09:36

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study

Published on: February 2, 2017

Metabolic Risk Factors Are Associated With Weight Status Change Over Four Years in Children Aged 4-6 Years With

Markus Brissman1,2, Anna Ek1,3, Stella Wennborg1

  • 1Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Division of Pediatrics, Stockholm, Sweden.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|June 5, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Early childhood obesity treatment can improve metabolic health. Weight status improvements in children aged 4-6 years were linked to reduced metabolic risks like high HbA1c and cholesterol.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric endocrinology
  • Metabolic health research
  • Obesity treatment outcomes

Background:

  • Early childhood obesity is a growing concern with potential long-term metabolic consequences.
  • Understanding the impact of obesity interventions on metabolic risk factors in young children is crucial for public health.
  • Limited data exists on the long-term effects of childhood obesity treatment on metabolic health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the long-term effects of early childhood obesity treatment on metabolic health.
  • To examine the association between weight status changes and metabolic risk markers in children aged 4-6 years.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study utilizing data from the More and Less randomized controlled trial.
  • Inclusion of children meeting International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria for obesity.
  • Collection of anthropometric and metabolic data at baseline, 12, and 48 months, analyzed using linear mixed models.

Main Results:

  • At 48 months, a one-unit increase in body mass index standard deviation score (BMI SDS) correlated with elevated HbA1c, fasting insulin, and reduced HDL cholesterol.
  • A reduction in BMI SDS of ≥0.25 was associated with lower HbA1c and triglycerides at 12 months.
  • A BMI SDS reduction of ≥0.5 was linked to lower total cholesterol at 48 months.

Conclusions:

  • Improvements in weight status among young children with obesity can lead to the reversal of existing metabolic disturbances.
  • Early intervention in childhood obesity may mitigate the risk of developing serious metabolic conditions later in life.
Abstract

Keywords:
childhood obesitycholesterolmetabolic riskparent‐focused treatmenttriglycerides

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