Body Composition In Preschool Children Research Articles

Body mass index growth trajectories and body composition influencing factors: An ambidirectional preschooler cohort

ObjectivesThe purpose of the present study was to explore the latent growth trajectory of body mass index (BMI) from birth to 24 months and comprehensively analyze body composition development influencing factor in preschool children. MethodsThis ambidirectional cohort study was conducted in Tianjin, China, from 2017 to 2020, and children's regular medical check-up data from birth to 24 months were retrospectively collected. The growth models were used to fit BMI z-score trajectories for children aged 0–24 months. Crossover analysis and interaction model were used to explore the interaction of influencing factors. ResultsWe analyzed the growth trajectories of 3217 children, of these, 1493 children with complete follow-up data were included in the influencing factors analysis. Trajectories and parental prepregnancy BMI (ppBMI) were independent factors influencing children's body composition. When paternal ppBMI ≥24 kg/m2, regardless of maternal ppBMI, the risk of overweight and obesity in senior-class children was increased. The high trajectories played a partial mediating role in the association between paternal ppBMI and body composition in preschool children. ConclusionsBMI growth in children aged 0–24 months can be divided into three latent trajectories: low, middle, and high. These trajectories and parental ppBMI were independent and interactive factors influencing children's body composition. The high trajectories played a partial mediating role in the association between paternal ppBMI and body composition in preschool children. It is necessary to pay attention to the BMI growth level of children aged 0–24 months, which plays an important role in the development of body fat in the future.

Prediction of fat-free mass in young children using bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy

BackgroundBioimpedance devices are practical for measuring body composition in preschool children, but their application is limited by the lack of validated equations.ObjectivesTo develop and validate fat-free mass (FFM) bioimpedance prediction equations among New Zealand 3.5-year olds, with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) as the reference method.MethodsBioelectrical impedance spectroscopy (SFB7, ImpediMed) and DXA (iDXA, GE Lunar) measurements were conducted on 65 children. An equation incorporating weight, sex, ethnicity, and impedance was developed and validated. Performance was compared with published equations and mixture theory prediction.ResultsThe equation developed in ~70% (n = 45) of the population (FFM [kg] = 1.39 + 0.30 weight [kg] + 0.39 length2/resistance at 50 kHz [cm2/Ω] + 0.30 sex [M = 1/F = 0] + 0.28 ethnicity [1 = Asian/0 = non-Asian]) explained 88% of the variance in FFM and predicted FFM with a root mean squared error of 0.39 kg (3.4% of mean FFM). When internally validated (n = 20), bias was small (40 g, 0.3% of mean FFM), with limits of agreement (LOA) ±7.6% of mean FFM (95% LOA: –0.82, 0.90 kg). Published equations evaluated had similar LOA, but with marked bias (>12.5% of mean FFM) when validated in our cohort, likely due to DXA differences. Of mixture theory methods assessed, the SFB7 inbuilt equation with personalized body geometry values performed best. However, bias and LOA were larger than with the empirical equations (–0.43 kg [95% LOA: –1.65, 0.79], p < 0.001).ConclusionsWe developed and validated a bioimpedance equation that can accurately predict FFM. Further external validation of the equation is required.

Impact of a Fundamental Motor Skill Intervention on Low-Income Preschoolers’ Body Composition

ABSTRACT Introduction/Purpose Fundamental motor skills (FMS)—the building blocks of play, recreation, and sport—are deficient in overweight and obese children. FMS interventions may curb increasing childhood obesity rates. This randomized control trial aimed to determine the effect of an FMS intervention on fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), and body mass index (BMI) in preschool-aged children (ages 3–5 yr) attending a low-income preschool. Researchers hypothesized that children in the intervention would have increased FFM. Methods Eleven preschool classes (n = 136; mean age, 4.3 yr; 74% Black) were randomly assigned to the intervention (6 classes) or control (5 classes) groups. Participants in the intervention group attended a 30-min FMS intervention two times per week for 9 months, whereas the control group simultaneously participated in outdoor-free play. FM and FFM were measured with foot-to-foot bioelectrical impedance before and after intervention. BMI was measured using height and weight. Results At baseline, the control group had significantly more FM (t 76 = −2.12, P = 0.04) and FFM (t 76 = −2.59, P = 0.01) than the intervention group. A mixed-effects analysis of variance examined differences in FM, FFM, and BMI with respect to group, sex, and time. Significant time by group interactions were found for FM (P = 0.05), FFM (P = 0.01), and BMI (P = 0.05). The intervention group increased FM, FFM, and BMI by 12.93%, 9.11%, and 0.75%, respectively, whereas the control group increased FM, FFM, and BMI by 23.60%, 12.75%, and 5.30%, respectively. Conclusions The findings of the current study suggest that an FMS intervention can delay additions of FM. It is further evident that increases in FM occurred at an alarming rate in primarily Black preschool children from a low-income center. The findings emphasize the importance of FMS in obesity prevention and measuring body composition in preschool children.

Body Composition in Preschool Children and the Association With Prepregnancy Weight and Gestational Weight Gain: An Ambispective Cohort Study.

ObjectiveTo describe the body composition in preschool children and to evaluate the association with prepregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain (GWG).MethodsChildren were recruited in their first year in kindergarten (3 years old) and followed up for the next 2 years. Information during pregnancy and birth was retrieved from medical records. Height, weight, fat mass, fat-free mass, and percentage of body fat (FM%) were measured through a bioelectrical impedance analysis for each child visit, and BMI, fat mass index (FMI), and fat-free mass index (FFMI) were calculated. Generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) were used to evaluate the associations between prepregnancy weight, GWG, and adiposity indicators.ResultsA total of 3,329 single-birth 3-year-old children were recruited as the baseline population and were followed at 4 and 5 years old. During the 3 years of follow-up, the mean (±SD) values of BMI, FMI, FFMI, and FM% of the children were 15.6 (±1.6) kg/m2, 2.8 (±1.3) kg/m2, 12.8 (±0.7) kg/m2, and 17.2% (±5.8%), respectively. The prevalence rates of overweight and obesity in mothers before pregnancy were 16.6 and 3.2%, respectively. Mothers were divided into three groups based on GWG: appropriate (1,233, 37.0%), excessive (767, 23.0%), and insufficient (1,329, 39.9%). GLMMs analyses showed that the preschool children’s BMI, FMI, FFMI, and FM% were all significantly positively related to maternal prepregnancy BMI and GWG (all P < 0.001); the children of mothers who were overweight/obese before pregnancy were more likely to be overweight/obese, high FMI, high FFMI, and high FM% at preschool age (all P < 0.001); although maternal excessive GWG was not correlated with offspring’s overweight/obese (P = 0.156), the children of mothers with excessive GWG are more likely to have higher FMI, but not to be with a higher FFMI status than the children of mothers with appropriate GWG. For prepregnancy overweight/obese women, compared with the GWG-appropriate group, maternal excessive GWG was related to the risk of high FMI (coefficient = 0.388, 95% CI: 0.129–0.647) and high FM% (coefficient = 0.352, 95% CI: 0.097–0.607), but was not related to the risk of overweight/obese or high FFMI of the offspring at preschool age.ConclusionFat mass index decreased with age, while FFMI increased with age among 3- to 5-year-old children. It is necessary to optimize maternal weight prior to conception and GWG management to improve the health outcomes of the offspring.

Association of Cesarean Delivery with Trajectories of Growth and Body Composition in Preschool Children.

This study aimed to examine the association of cesarean delivery with trajectories of growth and body composition in preschool children. This ambidirectional cohort study was conducted between 2017 and 2020 in China. Information on the delivery mode, weight, and length/height of the children measured at routine healthcare visits was obtained from maternal and child health records. For three years while in kindergarten, children’s body mass index (BMI), fat mass index (FMI), fat-free mass index (FFMI), and percentage of body fat (FM%) were repeatedly measured. A BMI z score (zBMI) was calculated and standardized to WHO measures, and overweight and obesity were defined using the WHO reference. After adjustment for maternal age, maternal education, annual family income, prepregnancy BMI, gestational weight gain, gravidity, parity, gestational age, child sex, birthweight, breastfeeding duration, and the parent-reported dietary intake of the children, children born via cesarean delivery (n = 1992) versus those born vaginally (n = 1578) had higher zBMI growth rates beyond 36 months (β: 0.003; 95% CI: 0.001, 0.005 SD units/month) and elevated levels of FMI (β: 0.097; 95% CI: 0.026, 0.168 kg/m2), FM% (β: 0.402; 95% CI: 0.058, 0.745%) and zBMI (β: 0.073; 95% CI: 0.012, 0.133 units), but not FFMI (β: 0.022; 95% CI: −0.022, 0.066 kg/m2). The adjusted OR of overweight and obesity was 1.21 (95% CI: 1.04, 1.40). Cesarean delivery likely elevated zBMI growth rates and increased the risk of overweight and obesity in preschool children, with the elevation of fat mass but not fat-free mass.

Body composition in preschool children with short stature: a case-control study

BackgroundShort stature is defined as height below 2 standard deviations of the population with the same age, gender. This study is aimed to assess the characteristics of body composition in preschool children with short stature.MethodsAnthropometric measurements and body composition were assessed in 68 preschool children aged 3 to 6 years old with short stature and 68 normal controls matched on age and gender. Height, weight and body composition (total body water, protein, minerals, body fat mass, fat-free mass, soft lean mass, skeletal muscle mass, and bone mineral contents) in the two groups were measured and compared.ResultsThe total body water, protein, minerals, body fat mass, fat-free mass, soft lean mass, skeletal muscle mass, and bone mineral contents were lower in preschool children with short stature than controls (P < 0.05). Body mass index and fat mass index did not differ between groups. Fat-free mass index was significantly lower in short stature group than controls (t = 2.17, P = 0.03). Linear regression analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between height and fat-free mass index [β, 1.99 (0.59, 3.39), P = 0.01], a negative correlation between height and body fat percentage [β, − 0.20 (− 0.38, − 0.01), P = 0.04]. The proportions of fat-free mass in the upper limbs were significantly lower (Right,t = − 2.78,Left t = − 2.76, P < 0.05, respectively) in short stature, although body fat distribution was not.ConclusionsThe fat-free mass such as protein and bone minerals is lower in preschool children with short stature, suggesting the monitoring of fat-free mass for early identification and intervention.

Association between objectively measured body composition, sleep parameters and physical activity in preschool children: a cross-sectional study

ObjectiveAssociations between self-reported sleep duration and obesity indices in children are well recognised; however, there are no studies on associations between objectively measured other sleep parameters and physical activity with...

Relationship between biopsychosocial factors, body mass and body composition in preschool children

Assumptions: Based on research it is estimated that since the beginning of the 21st century the number of obese individuals aged up to 18 in the world has tripled. In Poland, there are approximately 12–15% overweight children and adolescents, and 5–11% obese ones. Sociocultural changes that have taken place in Poland over the last two decades are considered to be the cause of this situation. Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to assess biopsychosocial factors associated with adiposity indicators in preschool children. This study may serve as a comparative material for similar studies covering other populations and time ranges. Material and methods: The study was conducted among children aged 3–7 years from randomly selected kindergartens from all districts of the city of Kraków. Children’s anthropometric measurements were taken and their mothers completed a Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS) form and a family socioeconomic status survey. Teachers completed a Disturbing Behaviour Questionnaire. In total, 959 children were studied; ultimately, 203 girls and 209 boys with complete study data were included in the study. Backward stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed in which the dependent variable was Slaughter score and 16 variables were included as predictors. Results: The results of the present study demonstrate that overweight and obesity in children correlate with abnormal body mass in at least one of the parents. A relationship was observed between stress-coping styles presented by the mothers, their slimness in childhood, their dieting, the child’s birth weight and breastfeeding period and children’s body fat level. Conclusions: The results indicate that the child’s body weight is associated with familial biological and psychological factors whose interaction should be the subject of further analysis.

Obesity and Body Composition in Preschool Children with Different Levels of Actigraphy-Derived Physical Activity-A Cross-Sectional Study.

Detailed associations between physical activity (PA) and body composition in preschoolers remain unclear. The aim of this study was to assess body composition among preschool children differentiated according to their levels of PA and to assess whether meeting the current PA recommendations is associated with a lower risk of obesity, determined by body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage (BFP). Free-living PA was measured using accelerometers for 7 days in children aged 5 to 6 years. Bioelectrical impedance analysis was used to estimate body composition. Significant differences in content of BFP, fat-free mass (FFM), and total body water (TBW) were found between boys meeting and not meeting moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) recommendations. Meeting the MVPA recommendation was associated with a twofold lower risk of obesity determined by BFP in boys but not in girls. In contrast, the total number of recommended steps per day was not related to adiposity in boys or girls. No statistically significant differences were observed in body composition indices and quintiles of MVPA. Boys in the 3rd–5th quintiles of steps per day presented significantly lower BFP and higher muscle mass and TBW than their peers in quintile 1. However, different associations were observed between body composition indices and quintiles of PA.

A Single Question of Parent-Reported Physical Activity Levels Estimates Objectively Measured Physical Fitness and Body Composition in Preschool Children: The PREFIT Project.

Physical inactivity is recognized as a determinant of low physical fitness and body composition in preschool children, which in turn, are important markers of health through the lifespan. Objective methods to assess physical activity, physical fitness and body composition in preschool children are preferable; however, they have some practical limitations in the school context. Therefore, the aim of this study was to test whether a single question regarding physical activity level of preschool children, reported by their parents, could be used as an alternative screening tool of physical fitness and body composition. The information was obtained from 10 different cities throughout Spain, gathering a total of 3179 healthy preschool children (52.8% boys and 47.2% girls) aged 3–5 years. Physical activity levels of preschool children were reported by parents using a single question with five response options (very low, low, average, high, or very high). Physical fitness and body composition were assessed with the PREFIT fitness battery. The results showed that parents’ perception of their children’s physical activity was positively associated with all objectively measured physical fitness components (βrange = -0.094 to 0.113; all p < 0.020); and negatively with body composition indicators as measured (βrange = -0.113 to -0.058; all p < 0.001). The results showed significant differences in all physical fitness and body composition z-scores across the parent-reported physical activity levels (all p < 0.017 and all p < 0.001, respectively), as well as, for the fitness index (p < 0.001). Our study suggests that in school settings with insufficient resources to objectively assess fitness and body composition, parents-reported physical activity level by means of a single question might provide useful information about these important health markers in preschool children.

Physical fitness in relation to later body composition in pre-school children

ObjectivesAlthough physical fitness is considered a marker of health in youth, little is known whether physical fitness in pre-school age is related to later body composition. Thus, this study investigated (i) associations of physical fitness at 4.5years of age with body composition 12months later and (ii) whether improvements in physical fitness during the 12-month follow-up were associated with changes in body composition. DesignThis study included 142 children, measured at 4.5 and 5.5years, from the control group of the MINISTOP trial. MethodsPhysical fitness (cardiorespiratory fitness, lower- and upper-body muscular strength and motor fitness) was measured using the PREFIT test battery. Body composition was assessed using air-displacement plethysmography. ResultsIn adjusted regression analyses, greater cardiorespiratory fitness, lower-body muscular strength and motor fitness at 4.5years were associated with a lower fat mass index at 5.5years (standardized β=−0.182 to −0.229, p≤0.028). Conversely, greater cardiorespiratory fitness, lower- and upper-body muscular strength as well as motor fitness at 4.5years of age were associated with a higher fat-free mass index (standardized β=0.255–0.447, p≤0.001). Furthermore, improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness, lower-body muscular strength and motor fitness during the 12-month follow-up period were associated with decreases in fat mass index and/or % fat mass. ConclusionsIn conclusion, the results of this study provide evidence of the importance of physical fitness early in life. Nevertheless, further studies are needed in order to clarify the influence of physical fitness in the pre-school age with later health outcomes.

Calcaneus quantitative ultrasound and Body Composition in Preschool Children: Physical Activity Consideration

Calcaneus quantitative ultrasound and Body Composition in Preschool Children: Physical Activity Consideration

DNA-Methylation and Body Composition in Preschool Children: Epigenome-Wide-Analysis in the European Childhood Obesity Project (CHOP)-Study

Adiposity and obesity result from the interaction of genetic variation and environmental factors from very early in life, possibly mediated by epigenetic processes. Few Epigenome-Wide-Association-Studies have identified DNA-methylation (DNAm) signatures associated with BMI and body composition in children. Body composition by Bio-Impedance-Analysis and genome-wide DNAm in whole blood were assessed in 374 pre-school children from four European countries. Associations were tested by linear regression adjusted for sex, age, centre, education, 6 WBC-proportions according to Houseman and 30 principal components derived from control probes. Specific DNAm variants were identified to be associated with BMI (212), fat-mass (230), fat-free-mass (120), fat-mass-index (24) and fat-free-mass-index (15). Probes in genes SNED1(IRE-BP1), KLHL6, WDR51A(POC1A), CYTH4-ELFN2, CFLAR, PRDM14, SOS1, ZNF643(ZFP69B), ST6GAL1, C3orf70, CILP2, MLLT4 and ncRNA LOC101929268 remained significantly associated after Bonferroni-correction of P-values. We provide novel evidence linking DNAm with (i) altered lipid and glucose metabolism, (ii) diabetes and (iii) body size and composition in children. Both common and specific epigenetic signatures among measures were also revealed. The causal direction with phenotypic measures and stability of DNAm variants throughout the life course remains unclear and longitudinal analysis in other populations is required. These findings give support for potential epigenetic programming of body composition and obesity.

Use of waist to hip ratio in the determination of the body composition in preschool children in Latvian population

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2008, the waist to hip ratio (WHR) has been suggested superior to the body mass index (BMI) in predicting the cardiovascular disease risk in adults and adolescents. There have been studies about the WHR in preschool children in the populations of Pakistan, Chile and Mexico; and it is not the WHO which recommended it as a routine method in preschool children.The present study includes 85 children (41 girls and 44 boys), aged 5 to 7 years, without any chronic conditions. Body height, body weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, triceps skinfold, abdominal skinfold and subscapular skinfold were measured. The WHR, the BMI, the sum of three skinfolds and the percentage of body fat (%BF) were calculated.It was found that the WHR decreased with age in girls; there were no specific changes found in the WHR with age in boys. The present study found no correlation in boys or girls between the WHR and the BMI; the WHR and the sum of three skinfolds; the WHR and the percentage of BF. There was also no correlation between the Z-scores of the BMI and Z-scores of the WHR.Conclusions. The WHR is a questionable body composition marker in preschool children in the Latvian population and must be evaluated separately from other body composition markers.

The relationship of physiological stress measures, behavioral problems and body composition in preschool children

Background: Findings on the relationship of physiological stress measures and weight or behavioral problems in older children are controversial and data of young children is missing. The aim of the study was to investigate this relationship in young children.

Prácticas parentales, alimentación saludable y medidas objetivas de composición corporal en la niñez preescolar

El presente trabajo describe la evidencia empírica en cuanto a la relación entre prácticas parentales, alimentación saludable y medidas objetivas de composición corporal en la niñez preescolar en contextos europeos, estadounidenses y latinoamericanos. Se encuentran algunas concordancias en cuanto a la presión y la restricción para comer. Se proponen direcciones para el desarrollo de líneas de investigación en el contexto latinoamericano: a) realización de más estudios, con el fin de confirmar si las relaciones entre las variables de interés se mantienen o cambian; b) realizar estos estudios con muestras aleatorizadas y representativas, con medidas de autoreporte y observacionales, de las prácticas parentales de alimentación; c) exploración del rol mediador y moderador de variables culturales y sociales específicas del contexto latinoamericano.

The Tanita SC-240 to Assess Body Composition in Pre-School Children: An Evaluation against the Three Component Model.

Quick, easy-to-use, and valid body composition measurement options for young children are needed. Therefore, we evaluated the ability of the bioelectrical impedance (BIA) device, Tanita SC-240, to measure fat mass (FM), fat free mass (FFM) and body fatness (BF%) in 40 healthy, Swedish 5.5 years old children against the three component model (3C model). Average BF%, FM, and FFM for BIA were: 19.4% ± 3.9%, 4.1 ± 1.9 kg, and 16.4 ± 2.4 kg and were all significantly different (p < 0.001) from corresponding values for the 3C model (25.1% ± 5.5%, 5.3 ± 2.5 kg, and 15.2 ± 2.0 kg). Bland and Altman plots had wide limits of agreement for all body composition variables. Significant correlations ranging from 0.81 to 0.96 (p < 0.001) were found for BF%, FM, and FFM between BIA and the 3C model. When dividing the children into tertiles for BF%, 60% of children were classified correctly by means of BIA. In conclusion, the Tanita SC-240 underestimated BF% in comparison to the 3C model and had wide limits of agreement. Further work is needed in order to find accurate and easy-to-use methods for assessing body composition in pre-school children.

Early Infant Feeding and Body Composition In Pre-School Children

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between early infant feeding and childhood adiposity. Method: This was a cross-sectional study of 29 pre-school age (4 to 6 years) children and their mothers. Mothers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire to assess early infant feeding practices, while the children’s body composition was measured using the BOD POD Pediatric Option Body Composition System. Results: The mean age of the children was 4.9 ± 0.8 years, 82.8% Caucasian and 17.2% Black/African American, while 65.5% were female. None of the mothers reported alcohol consumption or smoking during the pregnancy with the child. Of the 29 children in the study, 41.4% were exclusively breastfed for at least 3 months, 48.3% mix-fed and 10.3% exclusively formula-fed. Although we found significant differences in BMI-for-age z-score (p = 0.033) and BMI-percentile-for-age (p = 0.023), there was no significant differences in fat mass and percent fat mass between the groups. Formula-fed children tended to have slightly higher fat-free mass and percent fat-free mass than both mix-fed and exclusively breastfed children although these differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the direction of the association between early infant feeding and childhood obesity may be dependent on the indicators used to assess obesity.

The influence of stress exposure on physiological stress responses and body composition in preschool children

The influence of stress exposure on physiological stress responses and body composition in preschool children

Measurements of total and regional body composition in preschool children: A comparison of MRI, DXA, and anthropometric data

There are clear sex differences in the distribution of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) in adults, with males having more VAT and less SAT than females. This study assessed whether these differences between the sexes were already present in preschool children. It also evaluated which measures of body composition were most appropriate for assessing abdominal obesity in this age group. One-hundred and five children (57 boys and 48 girls) participated in the study. Body composition was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Weight, height, and waist circumference (WC) were also recorded. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the entire abdomen using sixteen 10-mm-thick T1 -weighted slices was performed in a subgroup of 48 children (30 boys and 18 girls); SAT and VAT volumes were measured using semiautomated segmentation. Boys had significantly more VAT than girls (0.17 versus 0.10 l, P < 0.001). Results showed that VAT correlated significantly with all measurements of anthropometry (P < 0.01) after adjusting for SAT and for total fat mass measured with DXA. The mean limits of agreement between DXA and MRI regarding truncal FM were calculated to be -11.4 (range -17.8 to -3.6), using a Bland-Altman plot. Sex differences in adipose tissue distribution are apparent at an early age. MRI is the best method with which to study abdominal fat distribution in young children.