PEAS Kids Growth Study

PEAS Kids Growth Study (4 - 6.5 years)

This project follows the PEAS Program cohort from age 4 to 6.5 years to study adiposity rebound and overweight. Adiposity rebound is when a child's body mass index starts to increase steadily (usually around school entry), after falling during the preschool years. Early adiposity rebound is associated with more overweight in later life.

341 children were seen at 4 years and 317 completed 6-monthly follow-ups until the age of 6.5 years. We documented when adiposity rebound occurred, and changes in body fat and lean body mass during this period. We also looked at how early childhood factors influenced the timing of adiposity rebound, such as growth and feeding practices in the first 2 years and factors that influence physical activity and nutrition in the preschool years.

PEAS Kids Growth Study (10 years)

We are conducting a follow-up study of the PEAS cohort in 2009, when the children are 10 years of age.

The aims are to provide information about how children's growth patterns in early life relate to body mass index, body fat and lean mass, cardiovascular health and well-being at age 10.

Some examples of information collected in the PEAS Kids Growth Study:

Child weight and height (6-monthly from 4-6.5 years;10 years). This is supplemented with measures from 0-2 years from the Child Health Record
Body composition (bioelectrical impedance) 4-6.5 years and 10 years
Parent height and weight: reported at 4 years, measured at 6 and 10 years
Child blood pressure: measured at 6.5 years and 10 years
Arterial stiffness (measured using a pressure sensor over the wrist) at 10 years
Physical activity — 7 days accelerometry at 6.5 years and 10 years
Light Time-Use Diary — 3 day parent record of child's use of time at 5 years
Parent questionnaires (yearly) about their own and child's health and well-being

Methodology:	Prospective longitudinal study
Date:	PEAS Kids Growth Study (4 - 6.5 years) 2002-2006 PEAS Kids Growth Study (10 years) 2009
Funding:	2003: Murdoch Childrens Research Institute 2004-6: National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC) 2009: Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
Contacts/Staff involved:	Dr Michele Campbell michele.campbell@mcri.edu.au Dr Joanne Williams jo.williams@mcri.edu.au

Publications

Mitchell R, Wake M, Canterford L & Williams J. Does maternal concern about children's weight affect children's body size perception at the age of 6.5? A community-based study. Int J Obes 2008; 32:1001-1007.

Tey C, Wake M, Campbell M, Hampton A, Williams J. The Light Time-Use Diary and preschool activity patterns: exploratory study. International Journal of Pediatric Obesity 2007; 2(3):167-73.

Williams J, Wake M, Campbell M. Comparing estimates of body fat in children using published BIA equations. International Journal of Pediatric Obesity 2007; 2(3):174-9.

Campbell M, Williams J, Hampton A, Wake M. Maternal concern and perceptions of overweight in Australian preschool-aged children MJA 2006; 184(6):274-277.

Campbell M, Wake M, Williams J. Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Victorian 4-yr olds. [Letter to Editor] J Paediatr Child Health 2004; 40:720-723.

Presentation

Williams J, Tey C, Wake M. Time use in 5 yr old children and how it relates to overweight and obesity. 14th workshop of the European Childhood Obesity Group, Spain, Sept 2004.

Campbell M, Williams J, Hampton A, Wake M. Overweight in Australian preschoolers - a cause for concern? Royal Australasian College of Physicians Annual Scientific Meeting, Wellington NZ 2005.

Campbell M, Wake M, Williams J, Carlin J. Predictors of early adiposity rebound. 5th International Congress on Developmental Origins of Health and Disease, Perth, November 2007.

Campbell M, Williams J, Carlin J, Wake M. Comparison of predictors of early adiposity rebound and BMI at 6.5 years. Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Obesity Society, Brisbane, November 2008.

Last Updated 18-Dec-2008. Authorised by: Frank Oberklaid. Enquiries: Penny Miller.