Determinants of the trajectory of early life adiposity in South Asian children

Childhood obesity is a problem that is growing and that affects the increases in non-communicable diseases worldwide. Body Mass Index (BMI) is the most popular tool to measure obesity in children but that does not necessarily capture adiposity (belly fat) especially in high-risk groups including South Asians. We studied the factors that lead to higher adiposity in South Asian children across the first 3 years of life, using what is called skinfold thickness that is a more accurate measure of adiposity. We found that South Asian children who were breastfed longer, were more active, had less tv and computer time, in addition to their mom’s following a healthy diet, being less adipose and having less weight gain during pregnancy, had better adiposity outcomes. These 6 factors are modifiable (could be changed) and so create an encouraging public health message.