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Here you see a section of the BMI-for-age chart for boys enlarged to
show the shape of the curve in more detail. After 4 to 6 years of age,
BMI-for-age begins a gradual increase through adolescence and most of
adulthood. The rebound or increase in BMI that occurs after it reaches its
lowest point is referred to as "adiposity" rebound. This is a
normal pattern of growth that occurs in all children.
Recent research has shown that the age when the "adiposity"
rebound occurs may be a critical period in childhood for the development
of obesity as an adult. An early "adiposity" rebound, occurring
before ages 4 to 6, is associated with obesity in adulthood. In the
example shown here, adiposity rebound occurred at around age 3. BMI
reached the lowest point at 32 months (2 years 8 months) and then began to
increase.
However, studies have yet to determine whether the higher BMI in
childhood is truly adipose tissue versus lean body mass or bone.
Additional research is needed to further understand the impact of early
adiposity rebound on adult obesity. (Note that we put the word adiposity
in quotations when using it in this context since we do not know if it is
truly adipose tissue.)
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