Rapid Weight Gain Infancy & Obesity
Weight Gain Study Background
Obesity is increasing in the United States. Evidence-based prevention
is a public health priority and should target well-defined risk factors
and critical periods.
Weight Gain Study Aim
The hypothesis that rapid weight gain during early infancy is associated
with obesity in African American young adults, a group at increased risk
of obesity was tested.
Weight Gain Study Methods
A cohort of 300 African Americans born at full term was followed from
birth to 20 years of age. A pattern of rapid weight gain was defined as
an increase in weight-for-age = 1 SD between birth and 4 months.
Weight Gain Study Results
About 29 percent of subjects had a pattern of rapid weight gain during
infancy; 8 percent were obese at age 20 years. One-third of the obesity
at age 20 years could be attributed to rapid weight gain in the first
4 months of life. After adjustment for confounding factors, subjects with
rapid weight gain during early infancy were more likely to become obese
at age 20 years. The results were confirmed by using a combination of
body mass index and skinfold thickness.
Weight Gain Study Conclusion
The results of the present study provide evidence that a pattern of rapid
weight gain during early infancy is associated with obesity not only in
childhood but also in young adulthood. We propose that early infancy constitutes
a critical period for the development of obesity. Mechanisms of action
and prevention strategies require further investigation.
Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
2003
Nicolas Stettler, Shiriki K Kumanyika, Solomon H Katz, Babette S Zemel
and Virginia A Stallings.
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