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Maternal nutrition, infants and children

Birth weight, rapid weight gain in infancy and markers of overweight and obesity in childhood

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 67, pages 1147–1153 (2013)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective:

To evaluate the relationship between birth weight and rapid weight gain in infancy and markers of overweight/obesity in childhood, using different cutoff values for rapid weight gain.

Subjects/methods:

Cross-sectional study involving 98 5-year old pre-school Brazilian children. Rapid weight gain was considered as weight gain in standard deviation score (SDS) above +0.67, +1 and +2 in relation to birth weight, at any time during the first 2 years of life. The nutritional status of the children was determined by anthropometry and electrical bioimpedance. Multiple linear regression analysis was used, considering fat mass percentage, body mass index (BMI), waist and neck circumferences as outcomes.

Results:

Birth weight, rapid weight gain (assessed by different cutoff values) and maternal obesity were positively associated with increased fat mass percentage, BMI, waist and neck circumferences. Different cutoff values of rapid weight gain did not change the positive associations between rapid weight gain and fat mass percentage (>+0.67 SDS, P=0.007; >+1 SDS, P=0.007; >+2 SDS, P=0.01), BMI (>+0.67 SDS, P=0.002; >+1 SDS, P=0.007; >+2 SDS, P<0.001), waist circumference (>+0.67 SDS, P=0.002; >+1 SDS, P=0.002; >+2 SDS, P<0.001) and neck circumference (>+0.67 SDS, P=0.01; >+1 SDS, P=0.03; >+2 SDS, P<0.001).

Conclusions:

The use of different cutoff values for the definition of rapid weight gain did not interfere in the associations between birth weight and rapid weight gain with fat mass percentage, BMI, waist and neck circumferences. Children with the highest birth weight, those who undergo rapid weight gain in infancy and whose mothers were obese, seemed to be more at risk for overweight/obesity.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo-FAPESP (grant number: 2009/50767-0). We are grateful for the participation and support of the children and families of Capão Bonito city, São Paulo, Brazil. We also are indebted to the expert assistance of our research assistants.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    M R Sacco, N P de Castro, V L V Euclydes & P H C Rondó

  2. Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    J M Souza

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  1. M R Sacco
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Correspondence to P H C Rondó.

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MRS designed the study protocol, collected data, participated in the statistical analysis, interpretation of data and writing of the paper. NPdeC and VLVE participated in the statistical analysis and interpretation of data, and writing of the paper. JMS participated in the statistical analysis, interpretation of data and writing of the paper. PHCR secured funding, designed the study protocol, participated in the statistical analysis, interpretation of data and writing of the paper. All authors approved the final version of the paper.

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Sacco, M., de Castro, N., Euclydes, V. et al. Birth weight, rapid weight gain in infancy and markers of overweight and obesity in childhood. Eur J Clin Nutr 67, 1147–1153 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2013.183

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