Chest circumference in infancy predicts obesity in 3-year-old children.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations between chest circumference in infancy and rapid growth or obesity at 3 years of age. We conducted a retrospective observational study of 1353 children in Kumamoto, Japan. Data collected included chest circumference, head circumference, weight, and body mass index. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves for chest circumference were analyzed to determine the ability of this index to identify obesity at 3 years of age. Chest circumference at 3-4 months of age and increases in chest circumference during the first 3-4 months of life had higher mean standard deviation scores for rapid growth than for slow or no change in growth (p<0.05). Chest circumference and the increase in chest circumference were also positively correlated with rapid weight gain, and were associated with obesity at 3 years of age. The area under the curve for chest circumference was significantly different from the area under the curve for weight z-score at 6-9 months but not for weight z-score at 3-4 months. In conclusion, we found that chest circumference is associated with obesity in young children, and is positively correlated with rapid growth. Therefore, chest circumference may be a useful marker for rapid growth, and may help clinicians to identify obese children at 3 years of age.

Taller stature after postnatal rapid weight gain in early infancy predicts overweight status at age 3.

AIM: To evaluate whether postnatal rapid weight gain in early infancy is associated with subsequent tall stature and being overweight at age 3, and taller stature after postnatal rapid weight gain predicts overweight status at age 3. METHODS: Data from a retrospective cohort study (time period 2003-2004, total number = 1353 subjects in Kumamoto, Japan) were used. The rate of weight gain during the first 3-4 months was calculated as 100 g/month, and postnatal rapid and slow growth were calculated by using weight standard deviation (SD). Overweight status at 3 years of age was determined according to the definition of the International Obesity Task Force. RESULTS: In total, 4.7% of subjects were overweight at age 3. Postnatal rapid weight gain, associated with height increases until age 3 (p < 0.0001), and the rate of weight gain were significant risk factors for being overweight in children at age 3. Taller heights at 6-9 months and 17-20 months of age following postnatal rapid weight gain were associated with overweight status at age 3 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Taller stature following postnatal rapid weight gain in early infancy predicts overweight status at age 3; additionally, rapid infancy weight gain contributes to the acceleration of statural growth in overweight children.