52 Underweight in the first 2 years of life and growth in later childhood

Abstract Background Underweight occurs when caloric intake is insufficient to maintain growth. While it has long been assumed that underweight in the first 2 years of life is associated with lower growth potential in later childhood, longer term growth outcomes in high income countries are unclear. Objectives The primary objective was to evaluate the relationship between underweight in the first 2 years of life and body mass index z-score (zBMI) in later childhood. Secondly, we examined the relationship between underweight in the first 2 years of life and weight-for-age z-score (WAZ) and height-for-age z-score (HAZ) in later childhood, and how sex and the zBMI growth trajectory in the first 2 years of life modify these associations. Design/Methods This was a prospective cohort study conducted through The Applied Research Group for Kids (TARGetKids!) practice-based research network. Healthy children 0-10 years of age were included. The primary exposure was underweight in the first 2 years of life using zBMI