Diet, growth, and obesity development throughout childhood in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children

Abstract

Publications from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children covering diet, growth, and obesity development during childhood are reviewed. Diet was assessed by food frequency questionnaires and food records. Growth data were collected by routine measurements, and in standardized clinics, body fatness was assessed by bioelectrical impedance and DXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) scans. Diets changed dramatically during the preschool period with an increase in the intake of free (added) sugars (12.3% rising to 16.4% of energy) that remained similar until adolescence. This was due to increased intake of energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods. Two periods of rapid growth were identified; infancy and mid-childhood (ages 7-11 y) and both were associated with obesity development. Diets with high energy density were associated with increasing fat mass from mid-childhood until adolescence. Genetic and dietary factors showed independent associations with increasing adiposity. At all ages studied, there were dietary inequalities related to maternal educational attainment that may influence inequalities found in obesity development. The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children has provided valuable insights into how disparities in diet and growth may affect the development of ill health in adulthood.

Keywords: ALSPAC; childhood diet; diet; energy density; fat mass; fruit and vegetables; growth; inequality; obesity; sugar.

Figure 1

Predicting fat mass at age 13 years from dietary energy density (DED) at 10 years and FTO genotype in children (n = 2275). Reproduced from Johnson et al. (2009) with permission. Values are regression coefficients and 95% CIs. A statistically significant effect is indicated by a 95% CI that does not include 0. Separate basic models contain either FTO or DED and are adjusted for height at age 13 years and sex; misreporting of EI is included for models with DED. Joint basic model contains FTO and DED and is adjusted for height at age 13 years, sex, and misreporting of energy intake. Adjusted model includes FTO and DED adjusted for height at age 13 years, sex, puberty (Tanner stages 1–5) at age 13 years, misreporting of EI (under-, plausible-, or over-reporter), EI from drinks (kJ/d) at age 10 years, maternal education (none, vocational, O level, A level, or degree), TV watching at age 8 years (<1/1–2/2 h/d), physical activity at age 11 years (counts per minute). Adjusted model including overweight status at age 10 years contains the same variables as adjusted model in addition to overweight status at age 10 years (defined by IOTF criteria). Abbreviatons: CI, confidence interval; EI, energy intake; IOTF, International Obesity Task Force.