The Influences of Genetic and Environmental Factors on Body Mass Index (BMI) Trajectory for Young Children with Typical Development and Those with Motor Delay

In recent years, an increasing sedentary life style and changing pattern of food intake would have impact on growth among young children. The body mass index (BMI) growth chart for children, announced by WHO, has been accepted as an objective and practical method to measure growth for children. Moreover, the BMI developmental pattern or BMI trajectory pattern of individual child could influenced by the genetic, prenatal, early environmental factors, or by level of physical activity, pattern of food intake, and motor-related developmental disability. Though the influential factors for BMI trajectory pattern have been broadly explored in the west countries, the evidence in Asia area was limited. Regarding the racial differences, the present 3-year research takes aim at following up the young children from Taiwan and Mainland China for investigating: (1) The BMI trajectory patterns for young children with typical development; (2) The influential nature (genetic) factors and nurture (environmental and life style related) factors; (3) The BMI trajectory patterns for young children with motor delay; (4) The differences of BMI trajectory patterns between typical development and motor delay. Compared with typical development, the BMI trajectories varied greatly among children with motor delay according to one of our previous pilot studies: the study for children with motor delay based on the concept of International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health. In consequence, we designed to enroll more young children with motor form Taiwan (n=100) and Mainland China (n=150) for categorized the diverse BMI trajectory patterns. For all enrolled children and family, the questionnaires about food intake, prenatal factors, physical activities, and parental exercise habit will given to the parents or main caregivers. For young children with typical development, the present research will also conduct the analysis about the obesity-related gene (FTO) to investigate this genetically-related factor for BMI trajectory patterns. The present research would contribute to revealing the growth problems for young children and enhancing early prevention.

Project ID:PC9902-2293
External Project ID:NSC99-2314-B182-002