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. 2020 Jan;44(1):82-93.
doi: 10.1038/s41366-019-0457-2. Epub 2019 Oct 7.

Early clinical markers of overweight/obesity onset and resolution by adolescence

Markus Juonala  1   2   3 , Ted Lau  4   5 , Melissa Wake  4   5   6 , Anneke Grobler  4   5 , Jessica A Kerr  4   5 , Costan G Magnussen  7   8 , Matthew A Sabin  4   5   9 , David P Burgner  4   5   9 , Kate Lycett  4   5
Affiliations
Free article

Early clinical markers of overweight/obesity onset and resolution by adolescence

Markus Juonala et al. Int J Obes (Lond). 2020 Jan.
Free article

Abstract

Objectives: We examined how combinations of clinical indicators at various ages predict overweight/obesity development, as well as resolution, by 10-11 and 14-15 years of age.

Methods: Data were derived from Birth (N = 3469) and Kinder (N = 3276) cohorts of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children, followed from ages 2-3 and 4-5 years, respectively. Every two years, 25 potential obesity-relevant clinical indicators were quantified. Overweight/obesity was defined using International Obesity Taskforce cutpoints at 10-11 years and 14-15 years.

Results: In both cohorts, three factors predicted both development and resolution of overweight/obesity in multivariable models. Among normal weight children, increased odds of developing overweight/obesity were associated with higher child (odd ratio (OR) 1.67-3.35 across different study waves) and maternal (OR 1.05-1.09) BMI, and inversely with higher maternal education (OR 0.60-0.62, when assessed at age 2-7 years). Lower odds of resolving existing overweight/obesity were related with higher child (OR 0.51-0.79) and maternal (OR 0.89-0.95) BMI, and inversely with higher maternal education (OR 1.62-1.92, when assessed at age 2-5 years). The prevalence of overweight/obesity at the age of 14-15 years was 13% among children with none of these risk factors at age 6-7 years, compared with 71% among those with all 3 risk factors (P < 0.001).

Conclusions: From early childhood onwards, child and maternal BMI and maternal education predict overweight/obesity onset and resolution by adolescence. A simple risk score, easily available to child health clinicians, could help target treatment or prevention.

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