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. OBJECTIVE: We tested 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. DESIGN: A cohort of 300 African Americans born at full term was followed from birth to 20 y of age. A pattern of rapid weight gain was defined as an increase in weight-for-age > or = 1 SD between birth and 4 mo. RESULTS: About 29% of subjects had a pattern of rapid weight gain during infancy; 8% were obese [body mass index (in kg/m(2)) > or = 30] at age 20 y. One-third of the obesity at age 20 y could be attributed to rapid weight gain in the first 4 mo of life. After adjustment for confounding factors, subjects with rapid weight gain during early infancy were more likely to become obese at age 20 y (odds ratio = 5.22; 95% CI: 1.55, 17.6; P = 0.008). The results were confirmed by using a combination of body mass index and skinfold thickness (odds ratio = 6.72; 95% CI: 1.93, 23.4; P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: 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.
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. OBJECTIVE: We tested 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. DESIGN: A cohort of 300 African Americans born at full term was followed from birth to 20 y of age. A pattern of rapid weight gain was defined as an increase in weight-for-age > or = 1 SD between birth and 4 mo. RESULTS: About 29% of subjects had a pattern of rapid weight gain during infancy; 8% were obese [body mass index (in kg/m(2)) > or = 30] at age 20 y. One-third of the obesity at age 20 y could be attributed to rapid weight gain in the first 4 mo of life. After adjustment for confounding factors, subjects with rapid weight gain during early infancy were more likely to become obese at age 20 y (odds ratio = 5.22; 95% CI: 1.55, 17.6; P = 0.008). The results were confirmed by using a combination of body mass index and skinfold thickness (odds ratio = 6.72; 95% CI: 1.93, 23.4; P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: 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.
Authors: Ian M Paul; Jennifer S Savage; Stephanie L Anzman; Jessica S Beiler; Michele E Marini; Jennifer L Stokes; Leann L Birch Journal: Obesity (Silver Spring) Date: 2010-08-19 Impact factor: 5.002
Authors: Kelsey N Dancause; Miguel Vilar; Chim Chan; Christa DeHuff; Michelle Wilson; Laura E Soloway; Len Tarivonda; Ralph Regenvanu; Akira Kaneko; Ralph M Garruto; J Koji Lum Journal: Public Health Nutr Date: 2011-08-11 Impact factor: 4.022
Authors: Sinead Brophy; Roxanne Cooksey; Michael B Gravenor; Rupal Mistry; Non Thomas; Ronan A Lyons; Rhys Williams Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2009-12-16 Impact factor: 3.295