Open AccessInfluence of early life factors on body mass index trajectory during childhood: a population‐based longitudinal analysis in the W estern B razilian A mazon
Author(s) -
Lourenço Barbara H.,
Villamor Eduardo,
Augusto Rosângela A.,
Cardoso Marly A.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
maternal and child nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1740-8709
pISSN - 1740-8695
DOI - 10.1111/mcn.12005
Subject(s) - medicine , underweight , overweight , body mass index , demography , anthropometry , overnutrition , population , longitudinal study , pediatrics , obesity , environmental health , pathology , sociology
Abstract Low‐ to middle‐income countries may experience the occurrence of a dual burden of under and overnutrition. To better understand the overall progression of body mass index ( BMI ) during childhood, we estimated average BMI ‐for‐age z ‐score ( BAZ ) growth curves in a population‐based longitudinal study of 255 children living in the B razilian A mazon. Children were aged 0.1–5.5 years at recruitment (2003). We collected data on socio‐economic and maternal characteristics, children's birthweight and infant feeding practices. Child anthropometric measurements were taken in 2003, 2007 and 2009. BAZ differences among categories of exposure variables were calculated at 6 and 12 months, and 2, 7 and 10 years. At baseline, the mean (standard deviation) age was 2.6 (1.4) years; 12.9% were overweight and 3.9% thin. After adjustment, mean BAZ estimates were mostly negative. Boys were close to the median value for BAZ until 12 months, whereas girls were below the median ( P = 0.05). Children from households above the wealth median were 0.36 z ‐ and 0.49 z ‐less underweight than poorer children at 7 and 10 years, respectively ( P < 0.01). Maternal BMI was positively associated with children's BAZ since 12 months old; BAZ in children from overweight mothers was higher by 0.69 compared with their counterparts at 10 years ( P < 0.01). Birthweight was positively related to BAZ up until 2 years ( P = 0.01). Socio‐economic background and maternal nutritional status are important predictors of BAZ throughout childhood. Although excessive weight gain is a public health concern, it is critical to restrict inequities, while promoting healthier growth in developing countries.