The association between antibiotic use in infancy and overweight during childhood and adolescence: a historical cohort study
Authors' conclusion
Exposure to narrow spectrum antibiotics during infancy was associated with a higher BMI and an increased likelihood of overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence.
Study context
- Population
- Infants born 1998–2002, Maccabi Healthcare Services, Israel, with valid body mass index (BMI) data
- Participants
- 76,840 infants
- Exposure
- Antibiotic exposure before age 2 years vs no exposure
- Exposedn = 65,280
- Unexposedn = 11,560reference
- Outcome
- Overweight and obesity during childhood/adolescence
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Each group vs unexposedOdds ratio (95% CI)
Exposed, narrow-spectrum 1-2 packs
1.15(1.02–1.29)
Exposed, narrow-spectrum ≥10 packs
1.52(1.13–2.05)
- Odds increased significantly with number of narrow-spectrum packs
- P < 0.001
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Mean
| Outcome | Exposed | Unexposed | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMI percentile, childhood | 57.8 (SE 0.1) | 55.0 (SE 0.2) | P < 0.001 |
| BMI percentile, early adolescence | 58.2 (SE 0.1) | 55.1 (SE 0.3) | P < 0.001 |
| BMI percentile, late adolescence | 57.4 (SE 0.2) | 55.0 (SE 0.4) | P < 0.001 |
Original publication
The association between antibiotic use in infancy and overweight during childhood and adolescence: a historical cohort study. Int J Obes (Lond). Published 29 November 2025. doi:10.
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