Child Body Mass Index Research Articles

Does the design of a soda tax matter? Evidence from school children in Europe

This paper compares the effects of two different health taxes on soda consumption and the body mass index (BMI) of school children in Europe. Hungary imposed a comprehensive tax on several unhealthy products in 2011. In contrast, France introduced a tax on sodas with sugar or artificial sweeteners, in 2012. To evaluate these taxation designs, I use a flexible semi-parametric difference-in-differences (DID) approach. The results suggest a counter-intuitive increase in soda consumption caused by the tax in Hungary. The effect of the soda tax on soda consumption in France is insignificant. The BMI is not affected by any tax.

Salivary uric acid across child development and associations with weight, height, and body mass index.

Obesity during childhood is a serious and growing chronic disease with consequences for lifelong health. In an effort to advance research into the preclinical indicators of pediatric obesity, we examined longitudinal assessments of uric acid concentrations in saliva among a cohort of healthy children from age 6-months to 12-years (n's per assessment range from 294 to 727). Using data from a subsample of participants from the Family Life Project (an Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes Program cohort), we: (1) characterized salivary uric acid (sUA) concentrations from infancy to early adolescence by sex and race; (2) assessed changes in sUA levels across development; and (3) evaluated associations between sUA concentrations and measures of child weight, height, and body mass index (BMI). Across four assessments conducted at 6-, 24-, 90-, and 154-months of age, 2,000 saliva samples were assayed for UA from 781 participants (217 participants had sUA data at all assessments). There were no significant differences in sUA concentrations by sex at any assessment, and differences in sUA concentrations between White and non-White children varied by age. At the 90- and 154-month assessments, sUA concentrations were positively correlated with measures of child weight, height, and BMI (90-month: weight- ρ(610) = 0.13, p < 0.01; height- ρ(607) = 0.10, p < 0.05; BMI- ρ(604) = 0.13, p < 0.01; 154-month: weight- ρ(723) = 0.18, p < 0.0001; height- ρ(721) = 0.10, p < 0.01; BMI- ρ(721) = 0.17, p < 0.0001). Group based trajectory modeling identified two groups of children in our sample with distinct patterns of sUA developmental change. The majority (72%) of participants showed no significant changes in sUA across time ("Stable" group), while 28% showed increases in sUA across childhood with steep increases from the 90- to 154-month assessments ("Increasing" group). Children in the Increasing group exhibited higher sUA concentrations at all assessments (6-month: t(215) = -5.71, p < 0.001; 24-month: t(215) = -2.89, p < 0.01; 90-month: t(215) = -3.89, p < 0.001; 154-month: t(215) = -19.28, p < 0.001) and higher weight at the 24- and 90-month assessments (24-month: t(214) = -2.37, p < 0.05; 90-month: t(214) = -2.73, p < 0.01). Our findings support the potential utility of sUA as a novel, minimally-invasive biomarker that may help advance understanding of the mechanisms underlying obesity as well as further surveillance and monitoring efforts for pediatric obesity on a large-scale.

Nurture Early for Optimal Nutrition (NEON) participatory learning and action women’s groups to improve infant feeding and practices in South Asian infants: pilot randomised trial study protocol

IntroductionFeeding practices developed in early life can impact a child’s nutrition, growth, dental health, cognitive development and lifetime risk of chronic diseases. Substantial evidence suggests ethnic health inequalities, and non-recommended...

Association of maternal thyroid disease with obesity in child

ObjectivesDuring pregnancy, many women develop thyroid disorders, which can result in fetal and neonatal development defects. We investigated whether maternal thyroid dysfunction would affect their children’s growth and obesity. Study designWe conducted a nationwide population-based cohort study using a combination of data from several Korean nationwide registries to investigate the association between maternal thyroid dysfunction, offspring growth, and obesity. Childhood growth was repeatedly measured at three periods of age from 42 to 80 months, using body mass index (BMI). ResultsA total of 1,123,499 women were enrolled in this study; 78,902 (7.0 %) had pre-pregnancy thyroid disease. Significant association was found between maternal hyperthyroidism and obesity in all children aged 42–66 months (42–54 months, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.93, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.89–0.98; 54–66 months, aOR 0.93, 95 % CI 0.87–0.99), but not at later ages. In the analysis by sex, maternal hyperthyroidism was associated with childhood obesity in boys, whereas it was not associated with those in girls of any age. No association was observed between maternal hypothyroidism and child BMI or obesity. ConclusionsThe association between maternal thyroid function and obesity in offspring is attenuated from early to late childhood, suggesting that many other factors may be involved in developing childhood obesity.

Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Synbiotics-A Research Hotspot for Pediatric Obesity.

Childhood obesity is a major public health problem worldwide with an increasing prevalence, associated not only with metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but also with psychosocial problems. Gut microbiota is a new factor in childhood obesity, which can modulate the blood lipopolysaccharide levels, the satiety, and fat distribution, and can ensure additional calories to the host. The aim of this review was to assess the differences and the impact of the gut microbial composition on several obesity-related complications such as metabolic syndrome, NAFLD, or insulin resistance. Early dysbiosis was proven to be associated with an increased predisposition to obesity. Depending on the predominant species, the gut microbiota might have either a positive or negative impact on the development of obesity. Prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics were suggested to have a positive effect on improving the gut microbiota and reducing cardio-metabolic risk factors. The results of clinical trials regarding probiotic, prebiotic, and synbiotic administration in children with metabolic syndrome, NAFLD, and insulin resistance are controversial. Some of them (Lactobacillus rhamnosus bv-77, Lactobacillus salivarius, and Bifidobacterium animalis) were proven to reduce the body mass index in obese children, and also improve the blood lipid content; others (Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Enterococcus faecium, and fructo-oligosaccharides) failed in proving any effect on lipid parameters and glucose metabolism. Further studies are necessary for understanding the mechanism of the gut microbiota in childhood obesity and for developing low-cost effective strategies for its management.

A Comparative Study to Assess the Nutritional Status among School Age Children of Employed and Unemployed Mothers (A Study in Selected Schools of Nepalgunj, Banke, Nepal)

Nutrition is the science that studies the link between food and health, and is mainly focused on the role of nutrients in human growth, development, and maintenance. Healthy nutrition involves maintaining a nutritional condition that enables individuals to grow and maintain excellent health. The school age, which ranges from 6 to 12 years old, is a crucial period for physical growth and intellectual development in children. The socioeconomic status of families, social well-being, and health care system proficiency of communities, as well as the environmental impact, are important factors that affect child health. Viewing malnutrition as an issue in human ecology provides a range of approaches for prevention. The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status of school-age children whose mothers were employed or unemployed and attending selected schools in Nepalgunj, Banke. A descriptive comparative research design was employed for the study, and stratified random sampling was used to select 120 students from Nepalgunj, Banke. Data were collected using a self-developed structured questionnaire. The study results showed that children with underweight (51.6%) were more prevalent among employed mothers' children than unemployed mothers' children (20%). However, children with normal weight (43.3%) were more prevalent among children of unemployed mothers than employed mothers (25%). An association was found between school type and maternal employment status with children's body mass index (BMI), and the P-values were &lt;0.001 and &lt;0.02, respectively. The nutritional status of children is a crucial factor for their growth and development. This study indicated that underweight was more prevalent among children of employed mothers, and children of unemployed mothers had a normal weight. Maternal employment status and school types, such as public and private schools, were associated with children's BMI. These factors should be considered while designing interventions to enhance children's nutritional status.&#x0D;

Genetically proxied vitamin B12 and homocysteine in relation to life course adiposity and body composition

ObjectiveObservational studies explore the association between vitamin B12 and obesity. However, causality is not reflected by such observations. We performed a bi-directional Mendelian randomization (MR) study to elucidate the causal relationship of vitamin B12 and homocysteine (Hcy) with life course adiposity and body composition. MethodsTwo-sample MR analysis was conducted. Independent genetic variants associated with vitamin B12 and Hcy from large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWASs) were utilized as genetic instruments, and their causal effects on five life course adiposity phenotypes (birth weight, body mass index (BMI), childhood BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio) and three body compositions (body fat mass, body fat-free mass, body fat percentage) were estimated from UK Biobank, other consortia, and large-scale GWASs. The inverse variance weighting (IVW, main analysis), bi-directional MR, and other six sensitivity MR analyses were performed. ResultsGenetically proxied higher vitamin B12 concentrations were robustly associated with reduced BMI (Beta = −0.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.016 to −0.004, P = 7.60E-04), body fat mass (Beta = −0.012, 95%CI -0.018 to −0.007, P = 1.69E-05), and body fat percentage (Beta = −0.005, 95%CI -0.009 to −0.002, P = 4.12E-03) per SD unit by IVW and other sensitivity analyses. Stratification analysis showed that these results remained significant in females and at different body sites (all P < 0.05 after Bonferroni correction). Bi-directional analyses showed no reverse causation. ConclusionsThis study provides strong evidence for the causal effect of vitamin B12 on adiposity. This gives novel clues for intervening obesity in public health and nutrition.

Maternal distress and body mass index in preschoolers living in families experiencing low‐income

AbstractHealth disparities among children living in poverty underscore the importance of identifying risk and protective factors for childhood obesity. By applying a family stress framework with an equity lens, this study aimed to test the differential associations between maternal distress and child body mass index (BMI) in preschool‐age children living in low‐income families. Pre‐intervention data from an obesity prevention randomized controlled trial were used to assess mother‐reported parental distress and anthropometry collected from children and mothers in a diverse sample of 450 families enrolled in Head Start. Analyses examined associations between maternal distress and child BMI z‐score (BMIz) and moderation by child sex. The sample of children was 49% female, 42% White, 25% Black, 11% Hispanic and 33% had overweight status or obesity. Results indicated higher BMIz for girls compared to boys (β = 0.10, p = 0.03). Child sex modified the association between maternal distress and child BMIz (β = 0.12, p = 0.01). Greater maternal distress was associated with higher BMIz among girls but not boys. Among preschoolers, the maternal distress–BMIz association differed by child sex. Understanding individual differences in how maternal distress relates to childhood obesity may have important implications for obesity prevention efforts.

Investigation of the correlation between internet addiction, obesity risk and sleep disorder in children

AimThis study was performed with the aim of investigating the correlation and the effective factors between internet addiction, obesity risk and sleep disorders in children. Material and methodThe sample for this descriptive and relational search type study comprised the parents of 458 children aged 7–10 years attending a primary school in Turkey. Data were collected the Parent and Child Descriptive Information Form, Family Child Internet Addiction Scale (FCIAS), Family Nutrition and Physical Activity Tool (FNPAT) and Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC). ResultsThere was a statistically significant, positive and weak correlation between the Body Mass Index (BMI) and FCIAS scores of children (p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant, negative and very weak correlation between FNPAT total score with FCIAS total score (p = 0.007). There was a statistically significant, positive and moderate correlation between SDSC total score and FCIAS total score (p < 0.001). According to regression analysis, FCIAS was a determinant at significant levels for FNPAT and SDSC (p < 0.05). ConclusionThere was a relationship between internet addiction and obesity and sleep quality. As a result of the study, the increase in internet use was determined to negatively impact physical activity and health nutrition behavior, and to increase sleep disturbance. Implications for practicePediatric nurses are recommended to give counseling to children and families about preventing obesity and the risk of sleep disorders by identifying children at risk in terms of internet addiction in the early period.

Associations of Maternal Educational Level, Proximity to Green Space During Pregnancy, and Gestational Diabetes With Body Mass Index From Infancy to Early Adulthood: A Proof-of-Concept Federated Analysis in 18 Birth Cohorts.

International sharing of cohort data for research is important and challenging. We explored the feasibility of multicohort federated analyses by examining associations between 3 pregnancy exposures (maternal education, exposure to green vegetation, and gestational diabetes) and offspring body mass index (BMI) from infancy to age 17 years. We used data from 18 cohorts (n= 206,180 mother-child pairs) from the EU Child Cohort Network and derived BMI at ages 0-1, 2-3, 4-7, 8-13, and 14-17 years. Associations were estimated using linear regression via 1-stage individual participant data meta-analysis using DataSHIELD. Associations between lower maternal education and higher child BMI emerged from age 4 and increased with age (difference in BMI z score comparing low with high education, at age 2-3 years= 0.03 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.00, 0.05), at 4-7 years= 0.16 (95% CI: 0.14, 0.17), and at 8-13 years= 0.24 (95% CI: 0.22, 0.26)). Gestational diabetes was positively associated with BMI from age 8 years (BMI z score difference= 0.18, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.25) but not at younger ages; however, associations attenuated towards the null when restricted to cohorts that measured gestational diabetes via universal screening. Exposure to green vegetation was weakly associated with higher BMI up to age 1 year but not at older ages. Opportunities of cross-cohort federated analyses are discussed.

Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome But Not ADHD Symptoms Increases Risk for Child Body Mass Index: Examination in a Sample of Clinically Referred Youth.

Given the substantial increase in pediatric obesity rates in recent decades, its long-term stability, and its pervasive negative outcomes, continuous efforts to identify factors that may place children at increased risk for overweight or obesity (OW/OB) are essential. As such, the primary aim of the present investigation was to examine the extent to which symptoms of Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome (CDS; i.e., Sluggish Cognitive Tempo) relates to child body mass index (BMI) independent of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The study is the first to examine whether CDS subdomains of slowed thinking, hypoarousal, and daydreamy is associated with BMI. Analyses included data from 72 clinically-referred children (46 males, 26 females) aged 4-12years old (M = 8.41, SD = 2.48). CDS and ADHD were assessed using standardized parent-report rating scales, and children's BMI was collected at the time of encounter. Bayesian hierarchical regression models revealed no evidence that overall CDS symptoms or ADHD symptoms (overall and subdomain) predicted child BMI. However, models did provide moderate evidence that hypoarousal and daydream subdomains jointly predicted BMI independent of ADHD (BF10 = 19.28-21.87). The present study suggests that CDS is a risk factor for obesity in young children and future research is needed to inform clinical interventions and to provide further understanding of the relatively nuanced association between CDS symptoms and obesity.

Change in BMI in Children Over the First 30 Months After the Start of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic.

Our study aim was to assess body mass index (BMI) change in children in the immediate 6 months of the pandemic, to follow longitudinal BMI change up to 30 months after the pandemic start, and to identify sociodemographic factors associated with these changes. Our study included a retrospective chart review of 1298 children 2 to 18 years old with office visits at an Indianapolis primary care clinic. Body mass index and sociodemographic information were collected at visits during 3 time periods: Prepandemic (March 1, 2019-February 28, 2020), Early Pandemic (June 1, 2020-November 30, 2020), and Late Pandemic (December 1, 2020-September 30, 2022). Data analysis indicated statistically significant increases in BMI monthly rate of change from Prepandemic to Early Pandemic periods. Interestingly, BMI rate of change stabilized from Early Pandemic to Late Pandemic periods but remained positive, suggesting children had slower, but persistent, continued BMI increase after the pandemic initiation.

Randomized-controlled trial of a whole-family obesity prevention and treatment intervention designed for low-income Hispanic families: HeLP the healthy living program

BackgroundLow-income Hispanic families face marked disparities in obesity, but interventions for obesity prevention and treatment have rarely been designed with this population as a focus. Hispanic culture is characterized by Familism, a value that prioritizes familial respect, cooperation, and togetherness. We describe the rationale and design of a trial of the Healthy Living Program (HeLP), a bilingual whole-family behavioral obesity prevention and treatment intervention designed around the value Familism and addressing food insecurity. Methods/designThis two-group randomized comparative effectiveness trial will compare the effects of HeLP versus a primary care counseling intervention (Recommended Treatment of Obesity in Primary Care, or RTOP) on decreasing body mass index (BMI; kg/m2) in Hispanic children 2–16 years of age with obesity and preventing BMI increase among siblings without obesity. 164 families per arm will be recruited from primary care practices. Families randomized to HeLP will participate in 12 two-hour sessions, followed by booster sessions. HeLP sessions include family meals and instruction in parenting skills, nutrition, culinary skills, fitness, and mindfulness delivered at community recreation centers by bilingual health educators and athletic trainers. Families randomized to RTOP will be offered individual visits in primary care every 3 months throughout the 18-month follow-up period. Secondary outcomes include changes to objectively measured child fitness, the home environment related to nutrition, physical activity, and media usage, food insecurity, child eating behaviors, quality of life, parent BMI and waist circumference, and implementation outcomes. DiscussionThis protocol paper describes the rationale and planned methods for the comparative effectiveness trial. Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov Identifier NCT05041855 (6/13/2023).

Childhood obesity and its impact on the characteristics of gait stance phases: a cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to investigate the variations in foot type, laxity, dynamic characteristics of gait, and the characteristics of the stance phase of gait, in relation to body mass index (BMI) and groups of children of different ages. Additionally, it aimed to explore the correlations between BMI and these variables across children groups of different ages. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 196 infants aged between 5 and 10years old. The variables assessed included BMI, foot type, laxity, dynamic variables, and characteristics of the stance phase of gait. Significant variations were observed in foot type, laxity, certain dynamic variables, and characteristics of the stance phase of gait between normoweight (NW) and overweight/obese (OW/OB) groups among children aged between 5 and 10years old (p ranged between 0.019 and 0.050). Moreover, BMI was also positively associated with the initial forefoot contact, heel off, total duration of the step, and forefoot contact phase of children 7 to 10years of age (p ranged between < 0.010 and 0.040). Conclusion:Children who are OW/OB had alterations at different stages of gait. Being OW/OB is related to alterations of the phases of gait mainly from 7 to 10years of age, and spending more time in each of the phases of walking. This could indicate that children who are OW/OB, in addition to walking slower, overload the musculoskeletal system, subjecting their joints and muscles to greater stress. What is Known: • Children who are overweight (OW) and obese (OB) can experience changes in their musculoskeletal systems, posture, and gait due to increased body mass index. • OW and OB children experience additional stress on their musculoskeletal systems, impacting posture, biomechanics, mobility, physical activity, and daily tasks. Excessive plantar loading is linked to foot pain in adults. What is New: • Body mass index was positively associated with initial forefoot contact, heel off, total duration of the step, and forefoot contact phase in children aged 7 to 10years old. OW/OB children aged 5-6 exhibited less ankle dorsiflexion and smaller relaxed calcaneal stance position (RCSP) as compared to normal-weight children. • Obese children aged 5-6 showed less pronation excursion, suggesting altered frontal plane movement due to RCSP differences. Children aged 7-8 who are OW/OB spent more time in certain gait phases, particularly in the forefoot contact phase. Being OW/OB is linked to altered gait parameters such as initial forefoot, heel off, total step duration, and forefoot contact phase. Being OW/OB was associated with a longer forefoot contact phase, particularly in the right foot.

Causal effects of life course adiposity on temporomandibular disorders: A Mendelian randomization study.

Previous studies investigated the associations between obesity and temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), but the evidence for the causal inferences was unclear. We aimed to investigate the causal link between life course adiposity and TMDs. Mendelian randomization (MR) studies were performed using genetic instruments for birth weight (BW) (N = 261 932), childhood body mass index (BMI) (N = 39 620), childhood body size (N = 454 718), adult BMI (N = 99 998), body fat percentage (N = 454 633) and TMDs (N = 211 023). We assessed the overall effect of each life course adiposity factor via inverse-variance weighted (IVW), weighted median, and MR-Egger methods and performed extensive sensitivity analyses. Additionally, multivariable MR was conducted to evaluate the direct and indirect effects of childhood BMI on TMDs while accounting for BW and adult BMI, and vice versa. Univariable MR analyses revealed a causal effect of low childhood adiposity on an increased risk of TMDs (childhood BMI: IVW OR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.54-0.78, p < .001; childhood body size: IVW OR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.43-0.73, p < .001). No causal association existed between genetically predicted BW, adult BMI, or body fat percentage and TMDs. In the multivariable MR analyses, the effects of childhood BMI on TMDs occurrence remained significant and direct, even after adjusting for BW and adult BMI (multivariable IVW OR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.61-0.99, p = .048). No pleiotropy and heterogeneity were detected (p > .05). Low childhood BMI might causally increase the risk of TMDs through a direct pathway.

Body mass index in parents and their adult offspring: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Obesity may track across generations, due to genetics and shared family environmental factors, or possibly intrauterine programming. However, many studies only assess associations between maternal body mass index (BMI) and offspring BMI in childhood. To determine whether maternal and paternal associations with offspring BMI differ and whether associations persist into adulthood, a systematic review and meta-analysis was done. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar (to October 2022) were searched. Observational studies reporting associations between maternal or paternal BMI and adult offspring BMI were included. Offspring BMIs were reported as continuous or categorical measures. Forty-six studies were included in the systematic review. Meta-analyses were conducted using random-effects models. Parental BMI was positively associated with offspring BMI in adulthood. The pooled mother-offspring standardized mean difference (SMD) was 0.23 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.20, 0.26), and father-offspring SMD was similar: 0.22 (95% CI: 0.19, 0.25) in adjusted models. Offspring of mothers with overweight or obesity had the same risk of higher BMI as offspring of fathers with overweight or obesity. If these associations are causal, they support interventions targeting all family members, rather than focusing solely on mothers, to obtain a healthy weight development among offspring.

Nutritional Status of Moroccan Pediatric Patients With Celiac Disease

We aimed to assess the nutritional status at diagnosis and during the follow-up of gluten free diet (GFD) therapy among 127 children with celiac disease (CD) in comparison with 127 controls. The median body mass index of children with CD was significantly lower than that of controls. At the time of diagnosis, children with CD had a significantly higher rate of undernutrition, with underweight (37.8%), height insufficiency (54.3%), and thinness (22%). During GFD follow-up, we noticed a significant decrease in thinness (P = .047) and a moderate increase in obesity. This emphasizes the role of the dietitian in implementing a nutritionally balanced diet.

Interpersonal Discrimination, Neighborhood Inequities, and Children's Body Mass Index: A Descriptive, Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Psychosocial stressors have been implicated in childhood obesity, but the role of racism-related stressors is less clear. This study explored associations between neighborhood inequities, discrimination/harassment, and child body mass index (BMI). Parents of children aged 5-9 years from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds (n = 1307), completed surveys of their child's exposure to discrimination/harassment. Census tract data derived from addresses were used to construct an index of concentration at the extremes, a measure of neighborhood social polarization. Child's height and weight were obtained from medical records. Multiple regression and hierarchical models examined child's BMI and racism at the individual and census tract levels. Children residing in the most Black-homogenous census tracts had 8.2 percentage units higher BMI percentile (95% confidence interval, 1.5-14.9) compared with white-homogenous tracts (P = .03). Household income and home values were lower, poverty rates higher, and single parent households more common among Black-homogeneous census tracts. Almost 30% of children experienced discrimination/harassment in the past year, which was associated with a 5.28-unit higher BMI percentile (95% confidence interval, 1.72-8.84; P = .004). Discrimination and racial/economic segregation were correlated with higher child BMI. Longitudinal studies are needed to understand whether these factors may be related to weight gain trajectories and future health.

Prenatal Exposure to Multiple Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Childhood BMI Trajectories in the INMA Cohort Study.

Prenatal exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) may disrupt normal fetal and postnatal growth. Studies have mainly focused on individual aspects of growth at specific time points using single chemical exposure models. However, humans are exposed to multiple EDCs simultaneously, and growth is a dynamic process. The objective of this study was to evaluate the associations between prenatal exposure to EDCs and children's body mass index (BMI) growth trajectories using single exposure and mixture modeling approaches. Using data from the INfancia y Medio Ambiente (INMA) Spanish birth cohort (), prenatal exposure to persistent chemicals [hexachlorobenzene (HCB), 4-4'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB-138, -150, and -180), 4 perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)] and nonpersistent chemicals (8 phthalate metabolites, 7 phenols) was assessed using blood and spot urine concentrations. BMI growth trajectories were calculated from birth to 9 years of age using latent class growth analysis. Multinomial regression was used to assess associations for single exposures, and Bayesian weighted quantile sum (BWQS) regression was used to evaluate the EDC mixture's association with child growth trajectories. In single exposure models exposure to HCB, DDE, PCBs, and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) were associated with increased risk of belonging to a trajectory of lower birth size followed by accelerated BMI gain by 19%-32%, compared with a trajectory of average birth size and subsequent slower BMI gain [e.g., relative risk ratio (RRR) per doubling in DDE (95% CI: 1.05, 1.35); RRR for (95% CI: 1.05, 1.66)]. HCB and DDE exposure were also associated with higher probability of belonging to a trajectory of higher birth size and accelerated BMI gain. Results from the BWQS regression showed the mixture was positively associated with increased odds of belonging to a BMI trajectory of lower birth size and accelerated BMI gain (odds ratio per 1-quantile increase of the ; credible interval: 1.03, 2.61), with HCB, DDE, and PCBs contributing the most. This study provides evidence that prenatal EDC exposure, particularly persistent EDCs, may lead to BMI trajectories in childhood characterized by accelerated BMI gain. Given that accelerated growth is linked to a higher disease risk in later life, continued research is important. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11103.

Trends in childhood body mass index between 1936 and 2011 showed that underweight remained more common than obesity among 398 970 Danish school children.

To examine trends in all body mass index (BMI) groups in children from 1936 to 2011. We included 197 694 girls and 201 276 boys from the Copenhagen School Health Records Register, born between 1930 and 1996, with longitudinal weight and height measurements (6-14 years). Using International Obesity Task Force criteria, BMI was classified as underweight, normal-weight, overweight and obesity. Sex- and age-specific prevalences were calculated. From the 1930s, the prevalence of underweight was stable until a small increase occurred from 1950 to 1970s, and thereafter it declined into the early 2000s. Using 7-year-olds as an example, underweight changed from 10% to 7% in girls and from 9% to 6% in boys during the study period. The prevalence of overweight plateaued from 1950 to 1970s and then steeply increased from 1970s onwards and in 1990-2000s 15% girls and 11% boys at 7 years had overweight. The prevalence of obesity particularly increased from 1980s onwards and in 1990-2000s 5% girls and 4% boys at 7 years had obesity. These trends slightly differed by age. Among Danish schoolchildren, the prevalence of underweight was greater than overweight until the 1980s and greater than obesity throughout the period. Thus, monitoring the prevalence of childhood underweight remains an important public health issue.