Stunting in Infancy Is Associated with Decreased Risk of High Body Mass Index for Age at 8 and 12 Years of Age

This study examines data from Peru

• From: Department for International Development
• Published: 1 September 2016

• Country: Peru
• Document Type: Journal Article
• Theme: Food and Nutrition
• Authors: Andersen, C.T., Stein, Aryeh D., Reynolds, Sarah A, Behrman, Jere R, Crookston, Benjamin T, Dearden, Kirk A, Penny, Mary E, Schott, Whitney., Fernald, Lia CH

Abstract

Effects of early-life stunting on adiposity development later in childhood are not well understood, specifically with respect to age in the onset of overweight and obesity. Objectives: The authors analyzed associations of infant stunting with prevalence of, incidence of, and reversion from high body mass index–for-age z score (BMIZ) later in life. They then estimated whether associations of infant stunting with BMIZ varied by sex, indigenous status, and rural or urban residence.

This study uses data from Young Lives, an international study of childhood poverty, following the lives of 12,000 children in 4 countries (Ethiopia, India, Peru and Vietnam) over 15 years. Young Lives is funded by the UK Department for International Development.

Citation

Andersen, C.T., Aryeh D Stein, Sarah A Reynolds, Jere R Behrman, Benjamin T Crookston, Kirk A Dearden, Mary E Penny, Whitney Schott, and Lia CH Fernald (2016) ‘Stunting in Infancy Is Associated with Decreased Risk of High Body Mass Index for Age at 8 and 12 Years of Age’ in: The Journal of Nutrition, First published September 28, 2016, doi: 10.3945/​jn.116.234633

Links

Stunting in Infancy Is Associated with Decreased Risk of High Body Mass Index for Age at 8 and 12 Years of Age 9

Published 1 September 2016