RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Associations of obesity with cardiovascular disease may originate in childhood. This study examined critical periods for BMI in relation to arterial health at school age. METHODS: Among 4,731 children from a prospective cohort study, associations of infant peak weight velocity, both age and BMI at adiposity peak, and BMI trajectories with carotid artery intima-media thickness and carotid artery distensibility at 10 years were examined. RESULTS: A 1-standard deviation score (SDS) higher peak weight velocity and BMI at adiposity peak were associated with higher intima-media thickness (0.10 SDS; 95% CI: 0.06 to 0.13 and 0.08 SDS; 95% CI: 0.05 to 0.12) and lower distensibility (-0.07 SDS; 95% CI: -0.10 to -0.03 and -0.07 SDS; 95% CI: -0.11 to -0.03) at 10 years. For distensibility, current BMI explained these associations. Children within the highest BMI tertile at ages 2 and 10 years had the lowest distensibility (p < 0.05), but similar intima-media thickness, compared with children constantly within the middle tertile. CONCLUSIONS: Infant weight growth patterns and childhood BMI are associated with subtle differences in carotid intima-media thickness and carotid distensibility at school age. For distensibility, current BMI seems critical. Follow-up is needed to determine whether these associations lead to adult cardiovascular disease.
