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Longitudinal study of obesity in the National Survey of Health and Development

O Stark, E Atkins, O H Wolff

    British Medical Journal (Clinical Research Ed.)
    |July 4, 1981
    PubMed

    Insights

    Childhood overweight is a significant predictor of adult obesity. The risk of adult obesity is linked to the degree of overweight in childhood, with no single optimal age for prediction. Overweight children often remain overweight into adulthood.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatric Health
    • Public Health
    • Epidemiology

    Background:

    • Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern with long-term health implications.
    • Understanding the trajectory of overweight from childhood to adulthood is crucial for effective interventions.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the relationship between childhood overweight and adult obesity.
    • To determine if there is an optimal age during childhood to predict adult overweight.
    • To assess the persistence of overweight from childhood into adulthood.

    Main Methods:

    • Utilized a nationally representative cohort of 5362 children born in March 1946.
    • Recorded weights and heights at multiple ages: 6, 7, 11, 14, 20, and 26 years.
    • Defined overweight as relative weight greater than 120% for height, age, and sex.

    Main Results:

    • Prevalence of overweight increased with age, particularly from age 11 onwards.
    • Overweight 7-year-olds had a 40% risk of being overweight in adulthood.
    • 7% of overweight 26-year-old men and 13% of women were overweight at age 7.
    • Overweight children were more likely to remain overweight than normal-weight children becoming overweight.

    Conclusions:

    • There is no specific optimal age in childhood to predict adult overweight.
    • Excessive weight gain can occur at any point during childhood.
    • Childhood overweight is a strong predictor of adult obesity, with high persistence rates.

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