Rapid weight gain in first 2 years of life and BMI trajectories from 3 to <10 years: a population-based longitudinal study of 1.7 million Brazilian children
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background Obesity is considered a disease with negative health impacts at all life stages. Changes in growth patterns, such as postnatal rapid weight gain (RWG), can be important predictors of growth trajectories in children. We investigated the association between RWG during the first two years of life and subsequent BMI trajectories from the age 3–to 9 years, and whether the association differed by birth weight group. Methods We used the data of a population-based cohort from the Cadastro Único (CadÚnico) of the Federal Government, the linkage of the National Live Births System (SINASC) and the National Food and Nutritional Surveillance System (SISVAN). The sample comprised 1.7 million Brazilian children aged from zero to nine years from 2008 to 2017. Mixed-effects models were used to estimate mean age-trajectories for BMI by RWG group. Findings Children who experienced RWG during the first two years of life had higher mean BMI trajectories from 3 to 9 years, compared to those who did not. The difference was seen across all birth weight groups, and was more evident for the children with high birth weight. At age 9, the BMI difference between RWG and non-RWG children was 1.31 kg/m 2 (boys) and 1.43 kg/m 2 (girls) for children with adequate birth weight, 1.27 kg/m 2 (boys) and 1.35 kg/m 2 (girls) for low birth weight, and 2.25 kg/m 2 (boys) and 2.86 kg/m 2 (girls) for macrosomia. Interpretation Children who experienced RWG during the first two years of life had higher BMI trajectories than children who did not. The finding highlighted the importance of monitoring child growth, which allows the early identification of potential growth deviations and the implementation of necessary interventions to ensure that children grow healthy and reach their full developmental potential. Funding Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior—CAPES, CAPES/Print/UFBA; University College London (UCL); National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre; Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais—FAPEMIG; National Council for Scientific and Technological Development—CNPq; CNPq/CGFP/DECIT/SECTICS; Departamento de Ciência e Tecnologia da Secretaria de Ciência, Tecnologia, Inovação e Complexo da Saúde do Ministério da Saúde; Wellcome Trust.
Authors: Carolina Santiago-Vieira, Leah Li, Rita de Cássia Ribeiro Silva, Juliana Freitas de Mello e Silva, Enny S. Paixão, Maurício L. Barreto, Gustavo Velasquez-Melendez
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,930
Funders: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Wellcome Trust, National Institute for Health and Care Research, University College London, Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais, Ministério da Saúde, Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia, Inovações e Comunicações, NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre
Awards: New insights on the role of prenatal exposure to specific infectious diseases in the onset of non-infectious chronic conditions during childhood and adolescence, DETERMINANTES DA OBESIDADE EM UMA COORTE DE CRIANÇAS COM VULNERABILIDADE SOCIAL E ECONÔMICA USANDO MÉTODOS ANALÍTICOS CONVENCIONAIS E APRENDIZADO DE MÁQUINA, G2142545670, G2867836412, G5807495746, G8020704838, G8496163210, New insights on the role of prenatal exposure to specific infectious diseases in the onset of non-infectious chronic conditions during childhood and adolescence
OpenAlex ID: W7108318878