Infant weight growth patterns, childhood BMI, and arterial health at age 10 years

OBJECTIVE: Associations of obesity with cardiovascular disease may originate in childhood. This study examined critical periods for BMI in relation to arterial health at school age. METHODS: Among 4,731 children from a prospective cohort study, associations of infant peak weight velocity, both age and BMI at adiposity peak, and BMI trajectories with carotid artery intima‐media thickness and carotid artery distensibility at 10 years were examined. RESULTS: A 1‐standard deviation score (SDS) higher peak weight velocity and BMI at adiposity peak were associated with higher intima‐media thickness (0.10 SDS; 95% CI: 0.06 to 0.13 and 0.08 SDS; 95% CI: 0.05 to 0.12) and lower distensibility (−0.07 SDS; 95% CI: −0.10 to −0.03 and −0.07 SDS; 95% CI: −0.11 to −0.03) at 10 years. For distensibility, current BMI explained these associations. Children within the highest BMI tertile at ages 2 and 10 years had the lowest distensibility (p < 0.05), but similar intima‐media thickness, compared with children constantly within the middle tertile. CONCLUSIONS: Infant weight growth patterns and childhood BMI are associated with subtle differences in carotid intima‐media thickness and carotid distensibility at school age. For distensibility, current BMI seems critical. Follow‐up is needed to determine whether these associations lead to adult cardiovascular disease.