BMI at 4 years of age is associated with previous and current protein intake and with paternal BMI

Objectives: To evaluate possible associations between body mass index (BMI) at 4 years of age, current and previous dietary intakes and parental BMI. Methods: A follow-up of dietary intake and anthropometry in 127 4-year-old children corresponding to 54% of children who completed an initial intervention study at 18 months of age. Results: Fourteen percent of the girls and 13% of the boys were overweight (age-adjusted BMI >= 25) and 2% of the girls and 3% of the boys were obese (age-adjusted BMI >= 30). Thirty-four percent and 9% of the fathers and 19 and 7% of the mothers were overweight and obese, respectively. BMI at 6-18 months was a strong predictor of BMI at 4 years. Univariate regression analyses revealed that intake of protein in particular, and also of total energy and carbohydrates at 17/18 months and at 4 years, was positively associated with BMI at 4 years. Although BMI at 6-18 months was the strongest predictor of BMI at 4 years, in the final multivariate models of the child's BMI, protein intake at 17-18 months and at 4 years, energy intake at 4 years and the father's-but not the mother's-BMI were also independent contributing factors. Conclusions: Among these healthy children, BMI at 4 years of age tracked from 6 to 18 months of age and were associated with previous and current protein intake as well as parental BMI, particularly that of the father. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2010) 64, 138-145; doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2009.132; published online 11 November 2009