Raised adolescent body mass index predicts the development of adiposity and a central distribution of body fat in adulthood: a longitudinal study

Abstract

Objective: To test the hypothesis that adolescent body mass index (BMI) tracks into adulthood and can be used as a predictor of obesity and/or central adiposity in adulthood.

Method: A prospective cohort study following up 111 female and 84 male subjects who participated in dietary and anthropometric surveys when aged 12 years (in 1979-1981) and 33 years (in 2000-2001). At both time points, height and weight were measured and BMI calculated. At 33 years, waist circumference (WC) and hip circumference were also measured and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) calculated.

Results: In the male and female participants, BMI at 12 years was associated significantly with BMI at 33 years (R = 0.58 and 0.53, respectively, both p < 0.01) and WC at 33 years (R = 0.58 and 0.53, both p < 0.01). The probability of being an obese adult increased with rising adolescent BMI: normal weight male (BMI < 20.89 kg/m(2)) and female subjects (BMI < 21.20 kg/m(2)) at 12 years had a 20% and a 7% chance of being obese at 33 years, respectively; the probabilities for obese male (BMI > or =25.58 kg/m(2)) and female subjects (BMI > or =26.05 kg/m(2)) were 83 and 64%. The corresponding probability of becoming centrally obese (measured by WC) increased from 17 and 16% in male and female subjects of a normal weight to 58 and 59% in those being obese.

Conclusions: Adolescent BMI is a good predictor of adult BMI and WC and the likelihood of becoming obese and/or centrally obese in adulthood.

Fig. 1

Regression of log₁₀ BMI at 33 years old on log₁₀ BMI at 12 years old.

Fig. 2

The probability of being obese or overweight at 33 years old based on BMI and sex at 12 years old.

Fig. 3

Regression of log₁₀ WC at 33 years old on log₁₀ BMI at 12 years old.

Fig. 4

Fig. 4. Regression of log₁₀ WHR at 33 years old on log₁₀ BMI at 12 years old.