Vana Webster1, Elizabeth Denney-Wilson, Jennifer Knight, Elizabeth Comino. 1. Centre for Health Equity Training Research and Evaluation, Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Abstract
AIM: The aims of this paper are to describe the growth of urban Australian Aboriginal infants from birth to 24 months of age and to identify the proportion of these infants experiencing rapid weight gain (RWG) and overweight/obesity. METHODS: The Gudaga Study is a longitudinal birth cohort of 159 Australian Aboriginal children born on the urban fringe of Sydney. Birthweight and length were extracted from hospital data. Children with a birthweight >1500 grams were included in the analysis (n = 157). Weight, length and head circumference were measured at 2-3 weeks and then six-monthly until 24 months of age. Age- and gender-specific Z-scores were determined from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 2000 growth charts for weight, length, head circumference and body mass index (BMI). The proportion of children experiencing RWG (an increase in weight-for-age Z-scores ≥0.67 between birth and 12 months) was calculated. The association between RWG and ≥85th CDC percentile for BMI at 24 months was tested using Pearson's χ². RESULTS: The mean weight of Gudaga infants was less than the CDC mean length-for-age at birth and 2-3 weeks of age but greater than CDC mean length-for-age and weight-for-age at 18 and 24 months of age. Overall, 42 infants (34.4%) experienced RWG, and 45 infants (36.9%) were overweight/obese at 24 months of age. A greater proportion of those who experienced RWG (61.9%) were overweight/obese at 24 months than those who did not experience RWG (23.8%). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests a concerning proportion of urban Indigenous infants experience RWG and overweight/obesity in early childhood.
AIM: The aims of this paper are to describe the growth of urban Australian Aboriginal infants from birth to 24 months of age and to identify the proportion of these infants experiencing rapid weight gain (RWG) and overweight/obesity. METHODS: The Gudaga Study is a longitudinal birth cohort of 159 Australian Aboriginal children born on the urban fringe of Sydney. Birthweight and length were extracted from hospital data. Children with a birthweight >1500 grams were included in the analysis (n = 157). Weight, length and head circumference were measured at 2-3 weeks and then six-monthly until 24 months of age. Age- and gender-specific Z-scores were determined from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 2000 growth charts for weight, length, head circumference and body mass index (BMI). The proportion of children experiencing RWG (an increase in weight-for-age Z-scores ≥0.67 between birth and 12 months) was calculated. The association between RWG and ≥85th CDC percentile for BMI at 24 months was tested using Pearson's χ². RESULTS: The mean weight of Gudaga infants was less than the CDC mean length-for-age at birth and 2-3 weeks of age but greater than CDC mean length-for-age and weight-for-age at 18 and 24 months of age. Overall, 42 infants (34.4%) experienced RWG, and 45 infants (36.9%) were overweight/obese at 24 months of age. A greater proportion of those who experienced RWG (61.9%) were overweight/obese at 24 months than those who did not experience RWG (23.8%). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests a concerning proportion of urban Indigenous infants experience RWG and overweight/obesity in early childhood.
Authors: Kristy A Bolton; Peter Kremer; Kylie D Hesketh; Rachel Laws; Karen J Campbell Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2016-10-11 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Rachel Laws; Karen J Campbell; Paige van der Pligt; Georgina Russell; Kylie Ball; John Lynch; David Crawford; Rachael Taylor; Deborah Askew; Elizabeth Denney-Wilson Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2014-08-01 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Lynn Kemp; Rebekah Grace; Elizabeth Comino; Lisa Jackson Pulver; Catherine McMahon; Elizabeth Harris; Mark Harris; Ajesh George; Holly A Mack Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2018-08-03 Impact factor: 2.655