title: Timing of adiposity rebound and adiposity in adolescence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate associations between timing of adiposity rebound (AR; the period in childhood where BMI begins to increase from its nadir) and adiposity (BMI, fat mass) at age 15 years in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC).
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample consisted of 546 children with AR derived in childhood and BMI and fat mass index (FMI; fat mass measured by dual-energy radiograph absorptiometry/height in m(2)) measured at 15 years. Multivariable linear regression models were based on standardized residuals of log BMI and log FMI to allow comparison of regression coefficients across outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were strong dose-response associations between timing of AR and both adiposity outcomes at 15 years independent of confounders. BMI was markedly higher in adolescence for those with very early AR (by 3.5 years; β = 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.33-1.07; P ≤ .001) and was also higher for those with early AR (between 3.5 and 5 years; β = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.08-0.59; P = .009) compared with those with later AR (>5 years) after full adjustment for a range of potential confounders. Similar magnitudes of association were found for FMI after full adjustment for confounders (compared with later AR: very early AR β = 0.74; 95% CI: 0.34-1.15; P ≤ .001; early AR β = 0.35; 95% CI: 0.07-0.63; P = .02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early AR is strongly associated with increased BMI and FMI in adolescence. Preventive interventions should consider targeting modifiable factors in early childhood to delay timing of AR.
authors.affiliation: Physical Activity for Health, School of Psychological Sciences and Health, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom; adrienne.hughes@strath.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Adrienne R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.affiliation: College of Medical, Veterinary Life Sciences, University of Glasgow Dental School, Glasgow, United Kingdom;
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sherriff
authors.affiliation: The UK National Institute for Health Research Bristol Nutrition Biomedical Research Unit in Nutrition, Diet, and Lifestyle at University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and The University of Bristol, Level 3, University Hospitals Bristol Education Centre, Bristol, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Andrew R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Ness
authors.affiliation: Physical Activity for Health, School of Psychological Sciences and Health, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom;
authors.forename: John J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Reilly
mesh_terms: D050154:Adiposity / Q000502:physiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: ALSPAC; BMI; adiposity; adiposity rebound; adolescents; early childhood; obesity