Association Between Longitudinal Trajectories of Lifestyle Pattern and BMI in Early Childhood

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the association between longitudinal trajectories of lifestyle patterns (LPs) and BMI z score in early childhood.

Methods: Data of children (n = 439) who participated in the 18-, 42-, and 60-month follow-ups of the Melbourne InFANT Program were used. Multitrajectory modeling identified groups of children following similar LPs and BMI z score trajectories, and multinomial logistic regression assessed the determinants of the trajectory groups.

Results: Three trajectory groups of child LPs and BMI z scores were identified: "Unhealthy LP, Low BMIz" (30%), "Healthy LP, Mid BMIz" (53%), and "Unhealthy LP, High BMIz" (17%). Relative to the "Unhealthy LP, Low BMIz" group, the maternal "Fruit and vegetables" dietary pattern was associated with higher odds (odds ratio [OR] 1.22, 95% CI: 1.01-1.47) of children following the "Healthy LP, Mid BMIz" group. Maternal prepregnancy BMI (≥25 kg/m² ) (OR 2.50, 95% CI: 1.31-4.75) and maternal TV-viewing time ≥130 min/d (OR 2.55, 95% CI: 1.13, 5.72) increased the odds of children following the "Unhealthy LP, High BMIz" group. Child sex, breastfeeding duration, and maternal physical activity were not associated with the identified trajectory groups.

Conclusions: Three trajectory groups of LPs and BMI z scores in early childhood were revealed, with maternal prepregnancy BMI, dietary pattern, and TV-viewing time being identified as significant determinants.