Use of Leg Length to Height Ratio to Assess the Risk of Childhood Overweight and Obesity: Results From a Longitudinal Cohort Study

PurposeTo determine whether leg-length to height ratio (LLHR) measured in children can be used to assess overweight and obese status 3 years later.MethodsA total of 1166 children from South Ontario, Canada, were assessed in grade five and again in grade eight were included in this analysis. On the basis of LLHR gender-specific quartile cutoffs in grade five, children were categorized into four groups (Q1[low]–Q4). Gender and age specific cutoffs of body mass index were used to categorize children as overweight/obese or normal weight in grade eight. Multiple logistic regression models were used to examine the overweight/obesity risk association with LLHR.ResultsIn comparing those in Q1 of LLHR, we found the odds ratios (OR, 95% confidence interval) of overweight/obese for those in the Q2–Q4 were 0.60 (0.29–1.21), 0.43 (0.21–0.89), and 0.32 (0.15–0.70) for boys and 0.77 (0.36–1.64), 0.60 (0.28–1.29), and 0.27 (0.12–0.62) for girls, respectively. The overweight/obesity risk association with LLHR remains after removing those who were considered overweight/obese at grade five.ConclusionsLLHR is associated with risk of childhood overweight/obesity. Further studies are warranted to investigate the role of LLHR on development of obesity.