DOES OVERNUTRITION OR OBESITY DURING THE FIRST YEAR AFFECT WEIGHT AT AGE FOUR?

Abstract

Of 243 infants who took part in a prospective study of nutrition and weight during the first year of life 226 were reviewed at age 4 yr. Of 243 infants 23 (9%) were obsese on one or more controls the 1st yr, and 4 or 226 (2%) at age 4 yrs. Only 3 of 23 infants remained obese. The weight and length of the children obese at 0-1 yr of age were significantly increased at age 4 yr. Overnutrition occurred during the 1st yr in 26 infants and the number of obese infants in this group was significantly increased at age 7-12 mo. and of overweight children during the first 2 yr of life. At age 4, however, none of them were either obese or overweight.