Most excess weight before puberty predicted by weight gained before 5 years of age
Document Actions
The aim of this study was to assess the impact of early postnatal weight gain on metabolic health at 9 years of age. To this end, 233 children with a gestational age >37 weeks were assessed at birth, at 5 years and at 9 years of age. Measures included weight SD scores at each time-point and excess weight gained between them, as well as a composite metabolic score. The results revealed that most excess weight before puberty was gained prior to age 5. Weight at age 5 bore little relation to birth weight but closely predicted weight at age 9. Even if metabolic status at age 9 means future risk, prevention strategies should rather focus on preschool children as this longitudinal study demonstrates that the die is largely cast by 5 years of age. A single measure of weight at age 5 might provides a useful pointer to future metabolic health.
Abstract
