Weight Gain Trajectories from Birth to Adolescence and Cardiometabolic Status in Adolescence

Abstract

To assess the influence of the trajectory of weight gain from birth to adolescence on cardiovascular and metabolic risk. We studied childhood body mass index (BMI) trajectories from birth to age 14years and cardiometabolic risk factors at age 14years. In total, 410 children with weight and height measurements were assessed from birth throughout childhood, from the Childhood Asthma Prevention Study, a prospective community-based cohort. BMI trajectory groups were determined by latent basis growth mixture models. Of these subjects, 190 had detailed cardiometabolic risk factors assessed at age 14years. Three BMI trajectory groups were identified; normal BMI, "early rising" excess BMI from 2years, and "late rising" excess BMI from 5years. Differences were found between normal and excess BMI in children at 14years of age. In addition, children with an early rising BMI trajectory had statistically significantly higher central adiposity and a more atherogenic lipoprotein profile at age 14years than children with a late rising BMI trajectory (P<.05). No differences between BMI trajectory groups in vascular structure or function was identified at age 14years. Earlier onset of an elevated BMI trajectory persisting from birth to age 14years results in an unfavorable cardiometabolic risk profile at age 14years, including central adiposity and more atherogenic lipoproteins, independent of achieved BMI.