Growth velocity in infancy influences resting energy expenditure in 12–14 year-old obese adolescents

SummaryBackground & aims: To determine if rapid growth between 0 and 2 years of life influences body composition and resting energy expenditure (REE) measured at 12–14 years in a population of obese children.MethodsREE and body composition were measured in 107 obese children aged 12–14 years in whom weight at birth and 2 years was recorded.Results46 obese children had a rapid growth between birth and 2 years (>0.67 SD). Rapid weight gain was positively correlated with weight and height at 12–14 years but not with body mass index (BMI). Fat mass (FM) to fat free mass (FFM) ratio was not significantly different at 12–14 years in children with rapid or normal growth velocity. REE in 12–14 year-old children with rapid growth (1765 ± 222 kcal/24 h) was significantly higher than children with normal growth velocity (1586 ± 216 kcal/24 h) (P < 0.001). REE adjusted for FFM was similar in the two groups.ConclusionsRapid weight gain between 0 and 2 years of life is associated with higher weight, height, FFM, FM and REE in 12–14 year-old obese children despite identical BMI. These data demonstrate that growth velocity affects later body composition and REE in obese adolescents but relationship between REE and FFM is preserved.