The BMI dip and the early rebound

In the picture

1. 1Reference band: typical BMI falls after infancy and then rises again
2. 2Typical rebound: the lowest BMI comes around age 6
3. 3Early rebound: BMI turns upward at about age 3
4. 4After an early rebound: BMI climbs towards the top of the typical range

Examples

• At check-ups, a doctor plots a child’s BMI on a growth chart to see when it starts rising again.
• Two cousins of the same weight at age 3 can follow different BMI paths if one’s BMI is already rising while the other’s is still falling.

Quiz: The BMI dip and the early rebound (Age 17)

1. 1

   At about what age does a child’s BMI normally reach its lowest point?

   • Between about 5 and 7 years old
   • Around 1 year old
   • Around 12 years old
2. 2

   What does the term "adiposity rebound" refer to?

   • The fall in BMI that happens after infancy
   • The fast weight gain during a baby’s first year
   • The rise in BMI that follows its lowest point in childhood
3. 3

   A child’s BMI starts rising again at about age 3 instead of around age 6. What does this suggest?

   • The child is less likely to become obese later
   • The child is more likely to become overweight or obese later
   • It makes no difference to the child’s later risk

The answers, each with its explanation, are in the app. This lesson has left the free week, so its quiz is part of the subscription.