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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Ratio of weight to height gain: a useful tool for identifying children at risk of becoming overweight or obese at preschool age

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Author(s):
Nascimento, Viviane G. [1] ; Bertoli, Ciro Joao [2] ; Leone, Claudio [3]
Total Authors: 3
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Saude Publ, Dept Maternal & Child Hlth, Sao Paulo - Brazil
[2] Univ Taubate, Dept Med, Taubate, SP - Brazil
[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Saude Publ, Dept Mother & Child Hlth, Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: Clinics; v. 66, n. 7, p. 1223-1226, 2011.
Web of Science Citations: 3
Abstract

PURPOSE: To analyze the usefulness of the weight gain/height gain ratio from birth to two and three years of age as a predictive risk indicator of excess weight at preschool age. METHODS: The weight and height/length of 409 preschool children at daycare centers were measured according to internationally recommended rules. The weight values and body mass indices of the children were transformed into a z-score per the standard method described by the World Health Organization. The Pearson correlation coefficients (r(P)) and the linear regressions between the anthropometric parameters and the body mass index z-scores of preschool children were statistically analyzed (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 3.2 years (+/- 0.3 years). The prevalence of excess weight was 28.8%, and the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 8.8%. The correlation coefficients between the body mass index z-scores of the preschool children and the birth weights or body mass indices at birth were low (0.09 and 0.10, respectively). There was a high correlation coefficient (r(P) = 0.79) between the mean monthly gain of weight and the body mass index z-score of preschool children. A higher coefficient (r(P) = 0.93) was observed between the ratio of the mean weight gain per height gain (g/cm) and the preschool children body mass index z-score. The coefficients and their differences were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Regardless of weight or length at birth, the mean ratio between the weight gain per g/cm of height growth from birth presented a strong correlation with the body mass index of preschool children. These results suggest that this ratio may be a good indicator of the risk of excess weight and obesity in preschool-aged children. (AU)