title: Development of body mass index of Japanese triplets from birth until the onset of puberty.
abstract: We aimed to analyze the characteristics of development of relative weight in Japanese triplets from birth until 12 years of age. Data were collected through a mailed questionnaire sent to mothers of triplets asking for information recorded in medical records. Altogether we had information on 1,061 triplet children of 354 mothers born between 1978 and 2006. For these births, data on triplets' height and weight growth, gestational age, sex, parity, and maternal age at delivery were obtained from records in the maternal and child health handbooks and records from the schools where children receive health check-ups. In addition, information on maternal height and weight was obtained. Triplets have a lower ponderal index at birth and lower body mass index (BMI) compared with the general population until 12 years of age, except for the period during 1 and 3 years of age. Moreover, birth weight had the strongest contribution to BMI of triplets until 6 years of age. After 9 years of age, maternal BMI was a significant factor affecting BMI of triplets.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Nursing, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan. yyokoyama@nurs.osaka-cu.ac.jp
authors.forename: Yoshie
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yokoyama
authors.forename: Janne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pitkäniemi
authors.forename: Jaakko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kaprio
authors.forename: Karri
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Silventoinen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D009035:Mothers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011627:Puberty / Q000502:physiology*; D014310:Triplets / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*