A recent study has highlighted that a child’s body mass index (BMI) at age 10 and overall growth rate from ages 1 to 18 may be key predictors of future risk for diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease.

The research, published in the journal Nature Communications, used genetic modelling to examine how genes influence BMI changes over childhood. According to Nicole Warrington, senior research fellow at the University of Queensland, the study provides insights into the biology underlying healthy growth patterns.

“We found that about one quarter of the differences in how children’s body weight changes from age one to 18 years is due to genetics,” Warrington explained. The findings suggest that early monitoring of BMI and growth patterns could be crucial for preventing cardiometabolic diseases later in life.

Experts say this research may help doctors and parents better understand the interplay of genetics and growth, enabling targeted interventions to promote long-term health in children.