Overweight and Obesity at Age 5 Years Increases Risk for Obesity at Age 14

Overweight 5-year-olds were four times more likely to be obese at age 14 years than their normal-weight counterparts.

Although childhood obesity is a major health problem, relatively little is known about its incidence. Investigators examined weight and body-mass index (BMI) in 7738 kindergarten children followed for 9 years in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study (1998–2007).

At a mean age of 5.6 years, 15% of children were overweight (BMI >85th percentile), and 12% were obese (>95th percentile). The prevalence of obesity reached 21% by eighth grade (mean age, 14 years); prevalence had increased by 65% in non-Hispanic white children, 50% in Hispanic children, and 120% in non-Hispanic black children. At all ages, children in the next-to-poorest socioeconomic quintile and children with the highest birth weight (>4000 g) had the highest prevalence of obesit…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

Overweight and Obesity at Age 5 Years Increases Risk for Obesity at Age 14

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Reviewing Author