Long-term effects of rapid weight gain in children, adolescents and young adults with appropriate birth weight for gestational age: the kiel obesity prevention study.

Abstract
AIM: This study investigates the effect of rapid weight gain in term children, adolescents and young adults born appropriate for gestational age. METHODS: In all, 173 girls and 178 boys aged 6.1-19.9 (12.5 +/- 3.1)years participated. Rapid weight gain (group 1) was defined as a change in weight-SDS (standard deviation score) from birth till two years >0.67, ‘no change’ as > or =-0.67 and < or =0.67 (group 2) vs 'slow weight gain' as 90th age-/sex-specific BMI-percentile was defined as overweight. Parental BMI, socio-economic status and lifestyle were assessed as confounders. RESULTS: A total of 22.8% gained weight rapidly, and 15.7% was overweight. Group 1 compared with group 2 and 3 subjects was taller, heavier and had a higher prevalence of overweight (girls/boys: 26.2%/28.9% vs 11.6%/19.0% vs 2.8%/5.0%; p < 0.01/p < 0.05). Concomitantly, a higher WC, %FM and FFM were observed. Rapid weight gain was positively associated with REE (adjusted for FFM) in boys (r = 0.26; p < 0.01), but not with cardio-metabolic risk factors. CONCLUSION: Rapid weight gain was related to increases in height, weight, a higher prevalence of overweight and central fat distribution. In addition, rapid weight gain was related to a higher REE in boys, but not to cardio-metabolic risk factors.