BMI at 4 years of age is associated with previous and current protein intake and with paternal BMI

• Objectives:To evaluate possible associations between body mass index (BMI) at 4 years of age, current and previous dietary intakes and parental BMI.Methods:A follow-up of dietary intake and anthropometry in 127 4-year-old children corresponding to 54% of children who completed an initial intervention study at 18 months of age.Results:Fourteen percent of the girls and 13% of the boys were overweight (age-adjusted BMI>/=25) and 2% of the girls and 3% of the boys were obese (age-adjusted BMI>/=30). Thirty-four percent and 9% of the fathers and 19 and 7% of the mothers were overweight and obese, respectively. BMI at 6-18 months was a strong predictor of BMI at 4 years. Univariate regression analyses revealed that intake of protein in particular, and also of total energy and carbohydrates at 17/18 months and at 4 years, was positively associated with BMI at 4 years. Although BMI at 6-18 months was the strongest predictor of BMI at 4 years, in the final multivariate models of the child's BMI, protein intake at 17-18 months and at 4 years, energy intake at 4 years and the father's-but not the mother's-BMI were also independent contributing factors.Conclusions:Among these healthy children, BMI at 4 years of age tracked from 6 to 18 months of age and were associated with previous and current protein intake as well as parental BMI, particularly that of the father.

Subject headings

LANTBRUKSVETENSKAPER  -- Lantbruksvetenskap, skogsbruk och fiske -- Livsmedelsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES  -- Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries -- Food Science (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Pediatrik (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Pediatrics (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Dietary Carbohydrates

Dietary proteins

Domestic science and nutrition

Hushålls- och kostvetenskap

Paediatric medicine

Pediatrisk medicin

Kostvetenskap

Food and Nutrition

Pediatrics

pediatrik

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

art (subject category)