Do Appetite Traits Mediate the Link Between Birth Weight and Later Child Weight in Low-Income Hispanic Families?

Content Provider	Europe PMC
Author	Vandyousefi, Sarvenaz Messito, Mary Jo Scott, Marc A. Gross, Rachel S.
Copyright Year	2023
Abstract	Background: Birth weight and appetite traits (ATs) are important early life determinants of child weight and obesity. Objectives: The aim of this study is to examine whether (1) birth weight-for-gestational age z-scores (BWGAzs) were associated with ATs at child age 2 years and (2) ATs mediated the link between BWGAzs and weight-for-age z-scores (WFAzs) at child ages 3 and 4 years among Hispanic children. Methods: We conducted a secondary longitudinal analysis of data from the Starting Early Program of low-income, Hispanic mother–child pairs. ATs were assessed using the Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire at age 2 years. Child birth weight was obtained from medical records. Birth weight, sex, and gestational age were used to generate BWGAzs with Fenton growth curves. WFAz was calculated based on the CDC 2000 growth charts. Regression and mediation analyses were used to explore associations between BWGAzs, ATs, and WFAzs. Results: Infants with higher BWGAzs had significantly lower Satiety Responsiveness (B = −0.10) and Food Fussiness (B = −0.13) scores at age 2 years and higher WFAzs at ages 3 (B = 0.44) and 4 (B = 0.34) years. Lower Satiety Responsiveness at age 2 years was associated with higher WFAzs at ages 3 (B = −0.11) and 4 (B = −0.34; all p < 0.01) years. Lower Satiety Responsiveness partially mediated the positive relationship between birth weight and child WFAzs at ages 3 and 4 years. Conclusions: Children with higher birth weight and lower Satiety Responsiveness scores may be at higher risk of developing obesity in childhood. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms through which birth weight influences child appetite. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01541761
Related Links	https://europepmc.org/backend/ptpmcrender.fcgi?accid=PMC10541931&blobtype=pdf
Page Count	9
ISSN	21532168
Volume Number	19
DOI	10.1089/chi.2022.0124
PubMed Central reference number	PMC10541931
Issue Number	7
PubMed reference number	36255444
Journal	Childhood Obesity [Child Obes]
e-ISSN	21532176
Language	English
Publisher	Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers
Publisher Date	2022-10-17
Publisher Place	USA
Access Restriction	Open
Rights License	Copyright 2023, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers
Subject Keyword	appetite traits birth weight childhood obesity Hispanic
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Nutrition and Dietetics Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health