Childhood may be the origin of the associations of obesity with cardiovascular disease. Researchers sought to investigate critical periods for BMI in relation to arterial health at school age.

From a prospective cohort study, researchers assessed 4,731 children for the correlations of infant peak weight velocity, both age and BMI at adiposity peak, and BMI trajectories with carotid artery intima-media thickness and carotid artery distensibility at 10 years.

• Analysis revealed higher intima-media thickness and lower distensibility at 10 years in correlation with a 1-standard deviation score (SDS) higher peak weight velocity and BMI at adiposity peak.

• Correlation of infant weight growth patterns and childhood BMI was observed with subtle disparities in carotid intima-media thickness and carotid distensibility at school age.

• Current BMI appears critical for distensibility.

• There is a necessity for follow-up to ascertain if these correlations result in adult cardiovascular disease.