U.S. Children's Preschool Weight Status Trajectories: Patterns from 9-Month,2-Year,and 4-Year Early Childhood Longitudinal Study—Birth Cohort Data

Abstract

Purpose.

To track changes in U.S. children's early weight status (normal, at-risk, or obese) from infancy through preschool.

Design.

Patterns of change in individual children's weight status are established using three time points from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study–Birth cohort.

Setting.

United States.

Subjects.

Nationally representative sample of U.S. preschool children surveyed at 9 months (n = 8900), with follow-up at 2 years (n = 7500) and preschool (n = 7000).

Measures.

Individual children's weight status was determined from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention growth charts at multiple time periods.

Analysis.

Layered, categorical data analysis of changes in weight status patterns at three time periods during infancy through preschool.

Results.

Young children whose early weight status was normal tend to retain a normal weight status and not to develop an unfavorable status (at-risk, obese). In contrast, children who were obese at an early age were more likely to have an at-risk or obese weight category at a later age. Overall, both favorable and unfavorable early weight statuses were highly associated with subsequent status at preschool.

Conclusion.

Early weight status can provide important information relevant for early entry point prevention and treatment of childhood obesity.