Predictors of Excessive Weight Gain in a Low Income and Diverse Population of Massachusetts Infants

This study assesses predictors of excessive weight gain (EWG) (1–12&1–18) months among diverse low‐ income (LI) infants. Infants participating in MA/WIC (2001–2009). with growth measures (1,12,18 mos.) were included. Predictors examined: race/Hispanic ethnicity, maternal education and pre‐pregnancy weight status, child sex, birth order, food security and breastfeeding duration. EWG was defined as > 1 wt‐for‐length z‐score (CDC/WHO) increase. Logistic regression was used and infant age, initial wt‐for‐length z‐score were covariates. NH‐White (42.4%), NH‐Black (19.5%), Hispanic (31.7%), and Asian (6.5%) infants comprised this sample (n=47,264);48.0% (CDC) and 53.8% (WHO) of infants had > 1 z‐score increase in 1–12 month wt‐for‐length (46.7 and 56.1% at 18 months). Race, sex, and breastfeeding duration were predictors of EWG from 1–12/1–18(CDC/WHO); Hispanic infants had 35–49% higher odds (WHO and CDC, p<.0001) and Asian children, 53–54% lower odds (WHO‐CDC, p<.0001) of EWG 1–12 month compared to NH‐White infants. Higher odds of 1–12 month EWG was observed among infants never breastfed (15/12%, WHO/CDC, p<.0001) or < 3 months (13/7%, WHO/CDC, p<.05) compared to > six months. Similar results were found for 1–18 EWG (WHO/CDC). Infant EWG trajectory varies by race/Hispanic ethnicity, and breastfeeding duration among a LI high‐risk‐population. Study funding: ERS/USDA.