Impact of early postnatal weight gain and feeding patterns on body mass index in adolescence

Postnatal weight gain may predispose to the development of obesity during childhood. The aims of this study were to study the impact of weight gain during specific periods of the first year of life and of feeding patterns on the body mass index (BMI) of adolescents. Growth records during the first 24 months of life of 88 obese and 214 non-obese 12 year-old Arab children were evaluated. Birth weight and length were similar for obese and non-obese adolescents, while the rate of breastfeeding was significantly lower in the obese group (p <0.01). Obese adolescents demonstrated a small yet significant accelerated weight gain at 4 (p = 0.002) and 12 (p = 0.01) months of age. Weight gain during the first 2 months of life and feeding pattern were independent predictors of BMI at the age of 12 years. Thus, early postnatal weight gain is associated with obesity in adolescence, while breastfeeding seems to have a protective effect.