Early risk factors of overweight developmental trajectories during middle childhood
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Abstract(s)
Background
Research is needed to identify early life risk factors associated with different developmental
paths leading to overweight by adolescence.
Objectives
To model heterogeneity in overweight development during middle childhood and identify
factors associated with differing overweight trajectories.
Methods
Data was drawn from the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development (QLSCD; 1998-
2010). Trained research assistants measured height and weight according to a standardized
protocol and conducted yearly home interviews with the child’s caregiver (mother in
98% of cases). Information on several putative early life risk factors for the development of
overweight were obtained, including factors related to the child’s perinatal, early behavioral
family and social environment. Group-based trajectories of the probability of overweight (6-
12 years) were identified with a semiparametric method (n=1678). Logistic regression analyses were used to identify early risk factors (5 months- 5 years) associated with each
trajectory.
Results
Three trajectories of overweight were identified: “early-onset overweight” (11.0 %), “lateonset
overweight” (16.6%) and “never overweight” (72.5%). Multinomial analyses indicated
that children in the early and late-onset group, compared to the never overweight group,
had 3 common types of risk factors: parental overweight, preschool overweight history, and
large size for gestational age. Maternal overprotection (OR= 1.12, CI: 1.01-1.25), short
nighttime sleep duration (OR=1.66, CI: 1.07-2.57), and immigrant status (OR=2.01, CI:
1.05-3.84) were factors specific to the early-onset group. Finally, family food insufficiency
(OR=1.81, CI: 1.00-3.28) was weakly associated with membership in the late-onset trajectory
group.
Conclusions
The development of overweight in childhood follows two different trajectories, which have
common and distinct risk factors that could be the target of early preventive interventions.
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