Abstract
Objective. To assess the potential association between growth during the first 2 years of life and the risk of overweight in childhood. Methods. Overweight status of 1 582 French children aged 7–9 years in 2000 was estimated, using measured weight and height data collected retrospectively. Overweight was estimated using measured weight and height. Linear mixed models identified six growth parameters associated with later overweight: weight, length and body mass index (BMI) attained at 1 year, average monthly weight and length gain, and average variation in monthly weight gain. Results. In the combined logistic regression model, the risk of overweight in boys at 7–9 years was associated with average monthly weight gain (odds ratio [OR] for 100 g=2.06, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22, 3.48) and BMI at 1 year (OR for 1 kg/m2=1.83, CI: 1.33, 2.51), while in girls, it was associated with weight at 1 year (OR for 1 kg=2.24, CI: 1.37, 3.66), BMI at 1 year (OR for 1 kg/m2=1.58, CI: 1.05, 2.39) and average variation in monthly weight gain (OR for 1 g=1.13, CI: 1.04, 1.22). Conclusion. This study showed the simultaneous association of large infant size at 1 year and early rapid infant growth along with overweight at 7–9 years, as well as involvement of early growth velocity variations. Early infancy, a phase of very rapid growth, constitutes a critical period for the onset of overweight.
Acknowledgements
The authors gratefully acknowledge Drs MC Romano, M Ambard, J Bonnisseau, AM Bouchard, S Donnadieu, E Lancelot, P Morel, I Ollier, V Onufryk, F Pelling, M Pradoura-Duflot, C Sainte Marie Perrin and AC Verchère, who helped in the organization of the study, and all physicians and nurses who recorded the measurements.
Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper. No honorarium, grant or other form of payment was given to produce the manuscript. The manuscript first draft was written by Sandrine Péneau, PhD. The paper has been read and approved by all authors.