title: Body composition in offspring of New Zealand women: ethnic and gender differences at age 1-3 years in 2005-2009.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In multi-ethnic New Zealand the prevalence of obesity and diabetes is increasing and varies by ethnic group.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study explored ethnic and gender differences in body composition in offspring of women treated for gestational diabetes in the metformin in gestational diabetes (MiG) trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Total and regional body composition measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry were investigated in European, Indian, Polynesian and "Other" children aged 2 years (48 boys; 56 girls).
  
  
  RESULTS
  By ethnicity, boys were not different by height or weight. Compared with European girls, Indian girls weighed less (2.3 ± 0.58 kg) and Polynesian (1.13 ± 0.53 kg) more, but percentage body fat was not different. Adjusted for age, height and weight boys had less total and appendicular fat and higher abdominal fat mass and total bone mineral density than girls (p < 0.001). Adjusted for age, weight and height Indian boys had more fat in the central and abdominal regions and less total lean mass than European boys (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These measurements provide early evidence for gender and ethnic differences in the distribution of fat and might help identify who is most likely to benefit from intervention in the first few years of life to reduce risk of chronic disease including diabetes.
authors.affiliation: a Centre for Child Health Research, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, AUT University , Auckland , New Zealand .
authors.forename: Elaine C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Rush
authors.affiliation: a Centre for Child Health Research, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, AUT University , Auckland , New Zealand .
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Obolonkin
authors.affiliation: b Newborn Services, National Women's Health, Auckland City Hospital , Auckland , New Zealand .
authors.forename: Malcolm
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Battin
authors.affiliation: c Department of Psychological Medicine , University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand , and.
authors.forename: Trecia
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wouldes
authors.affiliation: d Department of Obstetrics , National Women's Health , Auckland , New Zealand.
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rowan
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000502:physiology; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D050218:Body Fat Distribution; D015992:Body Mass Index; D049628:Body Size / Q000502:physiology*; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012737:Sex Factors
keywords: Body composition; body fat; dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; ethnicity; gender; lean mass; young children