Weight overgrowth of coeliac children on gluten-free diet

Abstract

Linear and weight growth were assessed in 17 coeliac children on gluten-free diet and followed up for 2 to 7 years (mean 3.8). Mean height was −0.85 height standard deviation scores at first visit, −0.19 after one year and 0.03 at last visit. Weight for Height Index (WHI) was 88.8% at first visit, 111.9 after one year and 111.6 at last visit. WHI values of patients at one year and at last visit were significantly higher than the 100% expected, even after excluding the subjects having at least one parent with body mass index >30 and/or at least one sibling with WHI >120%. A dietary recall at the end of the follow-up revealed an excess in caloric, animal protein and lipid intake and an absolute or relative deficit in complex sugars and vegetal proteins. The exclusion of gluten containing foods from the diet of coeliac children carries the risk of intake of hypercaloric foods, which may lead to some degree of obesity.