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Weight gain in early childhood increases heart and metabolic risk in adolescence
Earlier onset of weight gain, under two years of age, is
associated with higher cholesterol, higher blood pressure,
and more central fat in adolescence, compared with onset
of weight gain in children aged three to five, finds a 14-year
University of Sydney study.
The study tracked the body mass index (BMI) of children
from birth to 14 years and found that earlier onset of
high BMI (in children under two years) resulted in higher
cholesterol levels, higher blood pressure, and more central
(unhealthy) fat in adolescence, compared with onset of high
BMI in children aged three to five years.
Teenage obesity is a major health problem in Australia,
but the pathways to and the consequences of obesity in
teenagers has not been well studied. This is the first study
to look at the consequences of weight gain at two different
stages of early childhood and its impact on developing
cardiovascular disease as an adult.
‘Our study found that there are two main pathways to
obesity as a teenager – rapid weight gain in the first two
years of life (early weight gain) or rapid weight gain between
ages two and five years of age (later weight gain),’ said senior
author University of Sydney’s Professor David Celermajer,
Scandrett professor of cardiology at Sydney Medical School
and the Heart Research Institute.
‘The data show that there are consequences of the timing
of the onset of excess BMI in early childhood. Earlier onset
of a rising BMI that persisted through childhood results
in greater central fat and higher cholesterol in teenagers,
independent of their BMI at 14 years.’
A group of 410 Australian children were assessed from
birth throughout childhood to age 14 years, recording
their weight, height, and waist circumference. Of the 410
children, 190 had detailed measurements of cholesterol,
blood pressure and central weight recorded at age 14 years.
Three groups were identified in the study: normal BMI, ‘early
rising’ excess BMI from two years, and ‘late rising’ excess
BMI from five years.
Lead author Dr Jennifer Barraclough, cardiologist and
PhD student at University of Sydney and the Heart Research
Institute said: ‘The early weight-gain group have more
centrally placed or unhealthy fat than the later weight
gain group. Fat around the middle is a key risk factor for
cardiovascular disease in adulthood. The early weight-
gain group also had significantly higher cholesterol levels
compared to a group of healthy weight teenagers.
‘Our study shows that the earlier the onset of excess fat
before five years of age, the more likely the individual is to
have fat around the middle by adolescence. The study also
found that both early and late-weight gain groups were more
likely to have mothers with overweight or obesity and a high
BMI, than healthy weight teenagers.’
Co-author Professor Louise Baur, head of child adolescent
health at the University’s Sydney Medical School and The
Children’s Hospital Westmead said: ‘This study has shown
that it is important for families and the community to
understand the risks of excess weight gain in early life and
to ensure healthy eating and activity are supported from a
very young age.
‘These findings may provide an opportunity to identify
“high risk” young children and trial interventions at an
early age, prior to the development of high cholesterol and
centrally placed fat, which becomes evident in adolescence
and increases the risk of heart disease as an adult.’
Baur highlighted the importance of healthy infant feeding.
‘Breastfeeding should be supported where possible until
at least 12 months, with solids introduced from around six
months. Healthy eating and physical activity for all family
members is also an important factor promoting healthy
weight gain in the young child. Family doctors and early
childhood nurses can also help to monitor weight gain in this
critical period of life,’ she said.
Source:
Medical Brief 2019