Study shows link between lifestyle patterns and BMI in early childhood

A new study has shown the link between lifestyle changes and body mass index (BMI) in early childhood.

© Provided by Cover Media

This is the first time a multi-trajectory model has been used to analyse the longitudinal association between changes in lifestyle patterns and BMI scores and highlights the importance of preventing obesity early in life.

“The findings will inform early childhood obesity prevention intervention and policy, and will be of great interest to paediatricians, researchers, policymakers and the general public,” said corresponding study author Miaobing Zheng, from the Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, in Geelong, Australia.

The data supports the theory that children who enjoy healthy lifestyles are more likely to have a normal BMI score development.

Data from 439 children from the Melbourne Feeding Activity and Nutrition Trial (InFANT) program was analysed over a period of 15 months in a controlled trial aimed to reduce obesity risk behaviours in children until 18 months. Additional follow-ups were conducted for children aged 42 and 60 months.

Children were put into different groups based on their lifestyle patterns and BMI score trajectories.

Video: Multivitamins, probiotics and vitamin D ‘could reduce risk of positive Covid-19 result’ (Cover Video)

Multivitamins, probiotics and vitamin D ‘could reduce risk of positive Covid-19 result’

Click to expand

• 
  Brutal backflip fall in New Hampshire snow
  A skier is coming down the mountain in a great amount of snow and gets to a jump. As making the jump, in the air the skier tries to do a backflip, only the skier isn’t able to flip and gets in the air like they are laying down and lands right on their back, causing their skis to fly off in Lincoln, New Hampshire on April 12, 2019.
  
  
  Newsflare
  

• 
  ‘Indiana Jones’ the cat finds many ways to get attention from strangers
  Indy, the cat, loves the attention he can get from strangers. With more than 40,000 views already, Indy on TikTok, ‘nightelf44.’ is seen cuddling next to strangers and receiving many pets in San Francisco, California. His pet mom, known as Sterlingsilver Tabasa on Instagram, posted the video with the caption: “Indiana Jones can never get enough attention! Every time he visits San Francisco, he’ll wait on the sidewalk for new friends to come by!”
  
  
  Newsflare
  

• 
  Katie Price says her mum hasn’t got long left to live
  Katie Price says her mum Amy “hasn’t got long to live” as she continues to battle terminal idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable lung condition.
  
  
  Bang Showbiz
  

UP NEXT

Three groups were established, group one was identified as ‘Unhealthy lifestyle pattern, Low BMI’, group two was ‘Healthy lifestyle pattern, Mid BMI’ and the final group was ‘Unhealthy lifestyle pattern, High BMI’.

Half of the children participating in the study were placed in group two as they followed a low trajectory for poor diet and time spent watching TV, with a rising trajectory for healthy intake of fruit and vegetables plus time spent outdoors. Data showed a mean BMI score of +1 over time.

Groups one and three both had high trajectories for unhealthy diet and time spent watching TV, with a low trajectory for fruit and vegetable consumption and time spent outdoors. However, their BMI score trajectories differed, with mean scores of 0 and +2 respectively.

Scientists believe the link between stable lifestyle patterns and BMI trajectories in early childhood underlines the importance of parents and carers implementing obesity prevention strategies – such as following a healthy diet and exercising regularly.

Maternal dietary patterns, maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and TV viewing time were all flagged as “significant determinants” in the paper, which was published in the journal Obesity.

“Young children learn by imitating that which they see daily. There is no doubt that children copy the behaviours observed in the presence of parents: healthy and unhealthy,” said childhood obesity expert Liliana Aguayo, PhD, MPH. “Evidence from this study highlights the importance of early childhood as a critical period for development of obesity. More research is needed to identify effective approaches to simultaneously address parent and child health behaviours.”