Prevalence of low and high body mass index (BMI) during the first 3 years of life: using New Zealand national electronic health data
Authors' conclusion
The number of children with high BMI increases rapidly between 6 months and 27 months of age, suggesting this is an important timeframe for monitoring and preventive action. Future work should investigate the longitudinal growth trajectories of these children to determine if any particular patterns predict later obesity and what strategies could effectively change them.
Study context
- Population
- New Zealand children under 3 years with weight and length/height measured 2017–2019 by Whānau Āwhina Plunket 'Well Child' services
- Outcome
- Prevalence of BMI (WHO child growth standards) ≤2nd, ≥85th and ≥95th percentiles
Methodological detailsnational electronic health data
- National electronic health data
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
BMI ≥85th percentile at 12 weeks
10.8%
95% CI 10.4%–11.2%
BMI ≥85th percentile at 27 months
35.0%
34.2%–35.9%
High BMI (≥95th percentile) at 6 months
6.4%
95% CI 6.0%–6.7%
High BMI (≥95th percentile) at 27 months
16.4%
15.8%–17.1%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
- High BMI prevalence appears to increase substantially from 6 months across sociodemographic characteristics, with a widening prevalence gap by ethnicity from 6 months, mirroring that of low BMI
Original publication
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