Stunting and weight gain in paediatric refugees after US immigration

This cohort study aims to explore weight gain and stunting in the Syracuse, NY paediatric refugee population.

Demographics, height and weight were collected through chart review and electronic abstraction in 2019-2020 for N 941. BMI was calculated using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention software and metrics; obesity was defined as a BMI ≥ 95^th percentile while overweight was a BMI percentile ≥85^th but <95^th percentile. Stunting was based on the WHO's definition of a height-for-age Z score <-2·0. Differences in BMI percentiles were assessed using chi-square tests, t-tests or one-way ANOVA while BMI change over time was analysed using linear mixed modelling.

Pediatric International Health Clinic at an academic medical centre from 2012 to 2017.

Paediatric refugees.

The cohort was 49 % female with a mean age (sd) upon arrival of 8·9 (4·7) years. Sixty-one percent of refugees were from Africa, with 33 % from the Middle East. Stunting was observed in 9·7 % of participants upon arrival and varied significantly by region of origin. Obesity was observed in 24 % of refugees after living in the US for 5 or more years while the frequency of overweight at 5 plus years was 19·4 %. In linear mixed modelling, stunting, region of origin and duration of residence in the US were found to be significant predictors of BMI change over time.

Results support implementing targeted obesity prevention interventions in the Pediatric International Health Clinic refugee population and highlight additional risk for those arriving with stunting.