Trajectory of body mass index and height changes from childhood to adolescence: a nationwide birth cohort in Japan

Naomi Matsumoto,Takashi Yorifuji,Toshihide Kubo,Akihito Takeuchi,Toshiharu Mitsuhashi,Kazue Nakamura,Hirokazu Tsukahara

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-02464-z

Abstract

To investigate the dynamics of body mass index (BMI) and height changes in childhood leading to obesity in adolescents. BMI Z-scores were calculated using the LMS (lambda–mu–sigma) method based on yearly height and weight information (age 1.5–15 years) from a nationwide Japanese birth cohort that started in 2001 (n = 26,711). We delineated the trajectories of BMI and height changes leading to obesity at age 15 years using mixed effect models. Children who became obese at the age of 15 years kept relatively high BMI z-scores through childhood for both genders, and had an increasing trend over time as opposed to the normal weight group, with an increasing slope during puberty. Early adiposity rebound was associated with overweight or obesity at the age of 15 years. Age at peak height velocity (APHV) occurred earlier in the obese/overweight group at age 15 years than in the normal weight group, and occurred later in the underweight group. Obese adolescents experienced early adiposity rebound timing and maintained a serial BMI z-score increase throughout childhood, with a greater slope at puberty. An earlier peak in height gain during puberty may have contributed to the observed patterns of BMI change.

Highlights

To investigate the dynamics of body mass index (BMI) and height changes in childhood leading to obesity in adolescents
We delineated the BMI trajectories leading to obesity in adolescents and examined associations between BMI status in childhood and obesity at age 15 years using data from a large birth cohort of all Japanese children born during specific weeks of 2001
Mandy et al reported that BMI acceleration during childhood increased the risk of obesity in adolescence and that almost 90% of children who were obese at 3 years of age remained overweight or obese in adolescence[35]

Summary

Introduction

To investigate the dynamics of body mass index (BMI) and height changes in childhood leading to obesity in adolescents. We delineated the trajectories of BMI and height changes leading to obesity at age 15 years using mixed effect models. Children who became obese at the age of 15 years kept relatively high BMI z-scores through childhood for both genders, and had an increasing trend over time as opposed to the normal weight group, with an increasing slope during puberty. Because puberty has been reported to occur earlier in obese children, accelerated height changes during puberty should be taken into consideration to understand BMI trends during that p eriod[12]. BMI trajectories in various racial groups must be delineated based on large longitudinal birth cohort studies. Investigating the long-term BMI trends during childhood that lead to adolescent obesity is of major public health significance in Asia, especially in Japan

Methods

Results

Conclusion