U.S. children's preschool weight status trajectories: patterns from 9-month, 2-year, and 4-year Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth cohort data.
OBJECTIVE
To track changes in U.S. children's early weight status (normal, at-risk, or obese) from infancy through preschool.


METHODS
Patterns of change in individual children's weight status are established using three time points from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth cohort.


METHODS
United States.


METHODS
Nationally representative sample of U.S. preschool children surveyed at 9 months (n = 8900), with follow-up at 2 years (n = 7500) and preschool (n = 7000).


METHODS
Individual children's weight status was determined from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention growth charts at multiple time periods.


METHODS
Layered, categorical data analysis of changes in weight status patterns at three time periods during infancy through preschool.


RESULTS
Young children whose early weight status was normal tend to retain a normal weight status and not to develop an unfavorable status (at-risk, obese). In contrast, children who were obese at an early age were more likely to have an at-risk or obese weight category at a later age. Overall, both favorable and unfavorable early weight statuses were highly associated with subsequent status at preschool.


CONCLUSIONS
Early weight status can provide important information relevant for early entry point prevention and treatment of childhood obesity.
Wayne State University, 7350 Cooley Lake Road, Waterford, MI 48327, USA. Brian.Moss@wayne.edu
Brian G
BG
Moss
William H
WH
Yeaton
D000367:Age Factors; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015995:Prevalence; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology