The growth patterns of American-born Chinese infants

Recent studies indicate that the growth status of Asian children has improv ed considerably. However, One major concern is that the excessive weight ga in during infancy could increase adiposity and could lead to childhood obes ity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the growth pattern of Ame rican-born Chinese infants by conducting a retrospective chart review of th e growth pattern of infants who were seen at the University of Michigan Ped iatric Clinic from 1985 to 1994. Results from this study showed that both g enders have similar growth patterns. From t-test analyses, the data also sh owed that the growth rates of both American-born Chinese male and female in fants were significantly different from that of NCHS standards at comparabl e ages. In addition, feeding practices influenced infant growth in this stu dy. Breast-fed male infants gained less weight than bottle-fed male infants . American-born Chinese infants, grew rapidly both in weight and length dur ing the first six months of life. This appears to be a normal growth patter n for these infants. Further investigation is needed to determine the affec ts of genetic and dietary factors on the growth pattern of American-born Ch inese infants. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc.