Weight-for-height, body fat, and development in children in the East Asia and Pacific Region

Petermann-Rocha, F., Rao, N., Pell, J. P. , Celis-Morales, C. , Wong, I. C. K., Ho, F. K. and Ip, P. (2022) Weight-for-height, body fat, and development in children in the East Asia and Pacific Region. JAMA Network Open, 5(1), e2142458. (doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.42458) (PMID:34989793) (PMCID:PMC8739761)

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Abstract

Importance: Weight-for-height z score (WHZ) is a standard indicator of children’s nutritional status even though it does not fully reflect body fat. Objective: To examine the combined association of WHZ and body fat with early development in the East Asia and Pacific region. Design, Setting, and Participants: Children from the East Asia–Pacific Early Child Development Scales validation study, with full data available regarding their nutritional status and outcomes, were included in this cross-sectional analysis. In brief, a multilevel stratified random sampling was used to select representative samples from each participating country in the study. WHZ and body fat were independently trichotomized using established references and were combined to form a 9-category exposure variable. Data collection was performed between 2012 and 2014, and the analyses were conducted in June 2021. Main Outcomes and Measures: The binary outcome variable of not being developmentally on track (hereafter referred to as poor development) was defined as a score less than the 25th percentile in the following domains: cognitive, language, socioemotional, motor development, and total development score. Poisson regression models were used to analyze the associations between the combined categories and poor development, adjusted for sociodemographic factors. Results: A total of 6815 children (mean [SD] age, 4.02 [0.8] years; 3434 girls [50.4%]) had full data available and were included in this study. Compared with children with normal weight and normal fat, those with wasting and low body fat had the highest likelihood of total poor development (prevalence ratio, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.28-1.70), followed by those with normal weight but low fat (prevalence ratio, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.11-1.36). Similar associations were found in language, cognitive, and socioemotional development, but not in motor development. Conclusions and Relevance: Poor development was more commonly found in children with low body fat independent of WHZ (wasted or normal weight). Early public health strategies may consider using a combination of WHZ and body fat as an indicator of poor development.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This study was funded by the UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office, the Asia-Pacific Regional Network for Early Childhood, and the Open Society Foundations.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Celis, Dr Carlos and Pell, Professor Jill and Ho, Dr Frederick and Petermann-Rocha, Mrs Fanny
Authors: Petermann-Rocha, F., Rao, N., Pell, J. P., Celis-Morales, C., Wong, I. C. K., Ho, F. K., and Ip, P.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health
Journal Name:JAMA Network Open
Publisher:American Medical Association
ISSN:2574-3805
ISSN (Online):2574-3805
Published Online:06 January 2022
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2022 Petermann-Rocha F et al.
First Published:First published in JAMA Network Open 5(1): e2142458
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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