Poster Presentation Australian & New Zealand Obesity Society 2016 Annual Scientific Meeting

Growth patterns and rapid weight gain in infants of Chinese-born immigrant mothers compared with Australian-born mothers living in Victoria, Australia (#205)

Kristy A Bolton 1 , Peter Kremer 2 , Jazzmin Miaobing Zheng 1 , Kylie D Hesketh 1 , Rachel Laws 1 , Karen Campbell 1
  1. Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  2. School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia

Background

The third largest immigrant group in Australia originate from China.  School-aged children with Asian backgrounds have increased risk of overweight and obesity.  Early growth patterns of these children may provide insights regarding prevention opportunities.

 

Aim

To compare infant growth from birth to 3.5 years of age and prevalence of rapid weight gain (RWG) in infants of Chinese-born mothers(CBM) and Australian-born mothers(ABM) living in Australia.

 

Methods

Anthropometric data were collected (birth, 2, 4, 8 weeks; 4, 8, 12, 18 months; 2, 3.5 years, n=934 for each group) from 16 Maternal and Child Health centres.  Zscores (bmi-for-age (zbmi), weight-for-age (zwei), length/height-for-age (zlen)) were calculated using WHO growth standards.  RWG was defined as an increase (≥0.67) in zbmi from birth to 12 months.  Differences were tested using t-test and chi2(p<0.05).  Regression analyses (adjusted demographic covariates) were performed to examine the effect of ethnicity on RWG and zbmi, zwei and zlen at 3.5 years (p<0.05).

Results

Compared with ABM, infants of CBM had a lower mean zbmi score at birth, 2 weeks, 12 months until 3.5 years, but higher zBMI scores between 4 weeks and 8 months.  The same differences were observed for mean zwei except at 12 months.  Infants of CBM had lower mean zlen scores at birth and 3.5 years; but higher mean zlen at 8 weeks and 4 to 12 months. Regression analysis revealed infants of CBM had lower zbmi (Bcoeff(SE) -0.42(0.09)), zwei (-0.43(0.10)) and zlen (-0.21(0.09)) at 3.5 years compared to infants of ABM. A higher proportion of infants had RWG (35.6%) from CBM compared with ABM (27.5%) but regression analysis revealed no significant effects of ethnicity on RWG in the first 12 months. 

Conclusion

Ethnic disparities in growth patterns are apparent. Understanding these differences enables identification of key opportunities to promote optimal growth in this population.