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Prediction of obesity in children at 5 years: a cohort study
M J O'Callaghan1, G M Williams, M J Andersen
1Child Development and Rehabilitation Services, Mater Hospital, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Insights
Biological factors like birthweight and parental BMI significantly predict childhood obesity. Psychosocial factors showed no association with obesity in children at 5 years old.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Genetics
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern.
- Identifying early determinants is crucial for intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the predictors of moderate and severe obesity in children at 5 years of age.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study of mothers and children from antenatal visits to 5 years.
- Utilized detailed questionnaires and physical assessments (BMI, Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, Child Behaviour Checklist).
- Defined moderate obesity (BMI 85th-94th percentile) and severe obesity (BMI >94th percentile).
Main Results:
- Severe obesity predictors: birthweight, female gender, maternal and paternal BMI.
- Moderate obesity predictors: birthweight, paternal BMI, and 6-month sleeplessness.
- Protective factors for moderate obesity: small for gestational age (SGA) status and 6-month feeding problems.
- No association found between obesity and language comprehension or behavioral issues.
Conclusions:
- Biological factors, including birthweight and parental BMI, are primary determinants of childhood obesity.
- Psychosocial factors appear less influential in early childhood obesity development.
Objective:
To examine determinants of moderate and severe obesity in children at 5 years of age.
Methodology:
A prospective cohort of mothers were enrolled at first antenatal visit, and interviewed shortly after delivery, at 6 months and 5 years. Detailed health, psychological and social questionnaires were completed at each phase by mothers, and child health questionnaires at 6 months and 5 years. At 5 years 4062 children were assessed physically, the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test administered and mothers completed a modified Child Behaviour Checklist. Moderate obesity was defined as BMI between 85th and 94th percentiles inclusively, and severe obesity as a BMI greater than the 94th percentile.
Results:
Independent predictors of severe obesity at 5 years were birthweight, female gender, maternal BMI and paternal BMI. Moderate obesity at 5 years was predicted by birthweight, paternal BMI and sleeplessness at 6 months, while small for gestational age (SGA) status and feeding problems at 6 months were protective factors for moderate obesity. Obesity was not associated with problems of language comprehension or behaviour.
Conclusions:
Findings of this study suggest that biological rather than psychosocial factors are the major determinants of obesity at 5 years.