Does overweight in infancy persist through the preschool years? An analysis of CDC Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System data

SummaryObjective: To determine whether overweight in infancy (0-11 months) and young childhood (12-35 months) persists through the preschool years.Methods: Analysis of longitudinal surveillance data for 380 518 low-income children monitored in the U.S. Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System from birth to age 59 months. Overweight was defined as weight-for-height 95th percentile. We determined the proportion of the children (overweight vs non-overweight) above or below the 95th percentile of weight-forheight at the later ages.Results: The relative risk (RR) for overweight among overweight infants (vs non-overweight infants) at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years old was 4.3, 3.5, 3.3, and 2.9, respectively. 62.5% of overweight 3-year-old was still overweight a year later, but only 4.1% non-overweight 3-year-old became overweight a year later (RR = 15.2). However, low birth weight children had the highest RR to remain overweight after they became overweight compared to normal and high birth weight children.Conclusions: Overweight during infancy persists through the preschool years. Tracking of overweight appears to become stronger as children get older and is more pronounced among low birth weight children than normal or high birth weight children. Monitoring preschoolers' height and weight status should be a strategy for preventing of obesity in adolescence and adulthood.

---

Zusammenfassung Bleibt das Übergewicht von Kleinkindern während der Vorschulzeit bestehen? Eine Analyse von Daten des CDC-Kinderernährungs-Surveillance-SystemsZielsetzung: Bestimmen, ob das Übergewicht im Säuglings und Kleinkindalter (0-11 resp. 12-35 Monate) während der Vorschulzeit bestehen bleibt.Methoden: Analyse von Langsschnitt-Surveillance-Daten für 380 518 Kinder aus Familien mit niedrigem Einkommen, die im Rahmen des U.S.-Kinderernährungs-Surveillance-Systems von der Geburt bis im Alter von 59 Monaten beobachtet werden. Übergewicht wurde definiert als 95. Gewichts-Grössen-Perzentil. Wir bestimmten den Anteil an älteren Kindern über oder unter der 95. Gewichts-Grössen-Perzentile (übergewichtig vs. nicht übergewichtig).Ergebnisse: Das relative Risiko (RR) für Übergewicht unter den übergewichtigen Kleinkindern (im Vergleich zu den nicht übergewichtigen) betrug im Alter von 1, 2, 3 und 4 Jahren 4,3; 3,5; 3,3 und 2,9. 62,5% der übergewichtigen 3-jährigen Kinder war auch ein Jahr später noch übergewichtig, aber nur 4,1% der nicht übergewichtigen 3-Jährigen wurden im selben Zeitraum übergewichtig (RR = 15,2). Kinder mit sehr geringem Geburtsgewicht hatten im Vergleich zu Kindern mit normalem oder hohem Geburtsgewicht das höchste RR übergewichtig zu bleiben nachdem sie einmal übergewichtig geworden waren.Schlussfolgerungen: Übergewicht im Kleinkindalter bleibt während der Vorschuljahre bestehen. Mit zunehmendem Alter der Kinder scheint dieses Problem noch extremer zu werden und ist bei Kindern mit niedrigem Geburtsgewicht besonders ausgeprägt. Ein Monitoring von Körpergewicht und -grösse bei Vorschulkindern sollte als Strategie zur Vorbeugung von Adipositas bei Jugendlichen und Erwachsenen berücksichtigt werden.

---

Résumé Est-ce que le surpoids dans l'enfance persiste jusqu'aux années préscholaires? Une analyse des données du CDC Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance SystemObjectif: Déterminer si le supoids pendant la très petite enfance (0 à 11 mois) et la petite enfance (12 à 35 mois) persiste jusqu'aux années préscolaires.Méthodes: Analyses de données d'observation longitudinale portant sur 380 518 enfants de bas niveau socio-économique suivis par le système de surveillance de nutrition pédiatrique des Etats-Unis de la naissance jusqu'à l'âge de 59 mois. Le surpoids était défini comme un rapport poids/taille 95ème percentile. Nous avons déterminé la proportion d'enfants (avec vs. sans surpoids) au-dessous et au-dessus du 95ème percentile du rapport poids/taille à des ages plus avancés.Résultats: Le risque relatif (RR) du surpoids (comparé à l'absence de surpoids) à 1,2,3 et 4 ans était de 4,3, 3,5, 3,3 et 2,9, respectivement. 62,5% des enfants de 3 ans ayant du surpoids en avaient toujours un an plus tard, mais seulement 4,1% des enfants de 3 ans sans surpoids développaient du surpoids un an plus tard (RR = 15,2). Cependant, les enfants de bas poids à la naissance avaient le plus grand risque relatif de conserver du surpoids après qu'ils en aient développé comparés aux enfants de poids normal ou élevé à la naissance.Conclusions: Le surpoids pendant la petite et très petite enfance persiste jusqu'aux années préscolaire. La tendance au surpoids semble devenir plus forte lorsque les enfants grandissent et est plus prononcée chez les enfants de bas poids à la naissance que chez ceux de poids normal ou élevé à la naissance. L'observation continue de la taille et du poids des enfants en age préscolaire devrait être une stratégie de prêvention de l'obésité au cours de l'adolescence et de l'age adulte.

     

Body Mass Index and the Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome among Children and Adolescents in Two Mexican Populations

PurposeTo report the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) among children and adolescents living in central Mexico, and its association with body mass index (BMI).MethodsIn a sample of 1366 subjects from 7 to 24-years-old, a self-administered questionnaire was used to determined demographic characteristics. The definition of pediatric MS was determined using analogous criteria to Adult Treatment Panel III (ATPIII) as ≥ 3 of the following: concentration of triglycerides ≥ 100 mg/dL, HDL cholesterol < 45 mg/dL for males and < 50 mg/dL for females, waist circumference ≥ 75th percentile (sex specific), glucose concentration ≥ 110 to < 126 mg/dL, and systolic or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90th percentile (age, height, and sex specific).ResultsMost of the sample was in the 10–14- (32.4%) and the 15–19-year (35.4%) age groups, mostly females (57%), and 31% of this young sample was overweight (mean BMI = 21.6 kg/m²). About 1 in every 5 participants had full criteria for MS (19.2%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 16.4–22.1 among females, and 20.2%, 95% CI: 17.1–23.7 among males), and only 1 in every 10 was free of any MS component. The most common component was a low HDL level, observed in 85.4% of the sample. Unfavorable fat distribution, as indicated by a large waist circumference, was present in 27.9% of the sample. About 66% of those 10–14-year-olds with a large BMI were positive for MS.ConclusionsMS and overweight are major problems for youth in Mexico. Immediate and comprehensive actions at home and schools are needed if Mexico wants to avoid the heavy burden that this disorder will have for its population in the near future.     

Overweight, stunting, and anemia are public health problems among low socioeconomic groups in school adolescents (12-15 years) in the North Gaza Strip

The objective of the study was to describe sociodemographic differences in nutritional status among school adolescents aged 12 to 15 years in north Gaza Strip. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2002 comprising 1022 students from 10 schools in Gaza city, Jabalia village, and Jabalia refugee camp. Height, weight, and hemoglobin levels were measured to assess nutritional status. Self-administered questionnaires were administered to students and parents to obtain data on sociodemographic characteristics. The prevalence of overweight/obesity, stunting, and anemia in the total sample was 17.9%, 9.7%, and 49.6%, respectively. More overweight/obese girls than boys were found (20.2% vs 15.4%). In girls, being from a low-income residential area, having employed fathers, and having reached puberty had highest risk of overweight/obesity, whereas in boys, those with medium socioeconomic status (SES) had the lowest risk of overweight. The mean height-for-age percentile was generally low for both sexes compared with the National Center for Health Statistics/World Health Organization reference, but stunting was more common in boys than girls (13.7% vs 6.2%). Age was positively associated with risk of stunting in boys, whereas in girls, SES and mother's education were negatively associated with stunting. Anemia prevalence was high in both girls and boys (51.3% vs 47.9%). Age and onset of puberty had an independent negative effect on anemia among boys. Girls from nuclear families and from Jabalia village had higher risk of being anemic. In conclusion, undernutrition and overnutrition coexisted in the study area. Anemia, stunting, and overweight among the adolescents are public health problems, especially among low SES groups that merit attention.     

Trends in childhood and adolescent obesity prevalence in Oviedo (Asturias, Spain) 1992–2006

Aim: To analyse obesity and overweight prevalence trend in Oviedo (Spain) during the last 14 years.
Patients and Methods: Two cross-sectional studies were conducted in the same five public schools of the urban area of Oviedo in 1992 and 2004–06. One thousand one hundred sixty-five children and young adults between the age of 6 and 17 years were studied in 1992 and 1312 in 2004–06. Obesity and overweight were defined according to the International Obesity Task Force cut-off values.
Results: Body mass index (BMI) values (20.5 ± 3.6 vs. 20.1 ± 3.3 p = 0.02) and obesity prevalence (6.3% vs. 4.5% p < 0.05) were significantly higher in the 2004–06 cohort, while overweight prevalence showed a non-significant increase. Obesity prevalence increased in both sexes in the 6–11-year group. In adolescent females, a four-fold increase was observed, from 0.9% in 1992 (95% CI : −0.1 to 1.9) to 3.8% in 2004–06 (95% CI : 1.8–6). A slight non-significant decrease was observed in adolescent males (6.6% in 1992 to 5.8% in 2004–06).
Conclusion: Obesity and overweight are increasing in children and adolescents in Oviedo at a level similar to that observed in studies conducted in developed countries. This obesity epidemic is becoming an important public health issue.     

Evaluation of the effect of caloric restriction on serum BDNF in overweight and obese subjects: preliminary evidences

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has emerged as a new element related with insulin resistance and obesity. Objective To evaluate the effect of a 3-month reduced-calorie diet (RCD) on serum BDNF concentrations in overweight and obese subjects. Subjects Seventeen healthy overweight and obese subjects of both sexes (24–48 years, BMI 34.6 ± 1.1 kg/m²). Methods Anthropometry, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), lipid levels, and serum BDNF were measured at baseline and at the end of the third month. Reduced-calorie diet was defined as a 25% reduction in energy intake composed of: 55% carbohydrates, 20% proteins, and 25% fat (less than 10% saturated fat and over 10% nonsaturated fat). Refined sugar was not allowed. Results There was a significant decrease in BMI, waist circumference, body fat percentage, fasting glucose, post-OGTT glucose levels, area under the curve of glucose, and HOMA2-IR after 3 months of RCD. Serum BDNF showed a significant increase (3.97 ± 0.87 to 6.75 ± 1.62 ng/ml, P = 0.02). Final serum BDNF correlated negatively with weight (r = −0.51, P = 0.03), and basal post-OGTT insulin correlated positively with final serum BDNF (r = 0.48, P = 0.04). Conclusions Serum BDNF increases in insulin-resistant overweight and obese subjects after three months on a RCD. This observation could indicate that BDNF may be modulated in humans through diet composition.     

Predictive Values of Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference for Risk Factors of Certain Related Diseases in Chinese Adults - Study on Optimal Cut-off Points of Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference in Chinese Adults

The body mass index of Chinese population is lower than that of the Westerncountries, however, the trends of mean body mass index and prevalence of overweight inadults have increased significantly in recent 15 years[1]. Overweight and obesity areclosely r…     

中年男性超重者与体重正常者的血压、血脂、血糖、血尿酸的差异及减重对策

目的探讨高收入中年男性超重者与体重正常者的血压、血脂、血糖、血尿酸的差异,为中年男性超重者提供减重的护理对策。方法对2004年3月~2005年4月在解放军总医院特需门诊查体的254例35~50岁男性患者询问病史,根据BMI分为2组,BMI 25.0~29.9 kg/m2为超重组(n=127),BMI 18.5~24.9 kg/m2为正常组(n=127)。结果超重组的血压、血脂、血糖、血尿酸均高于正常组,差异均有显著性意义(P<0.05)。结论对超重的中年男性,必须采取相应的减重对策,减轻体重,预防肥胖相关的疾病发生。