BMI trajectories from infancy to 18 years and mental health in emerging adulthood

C Gallagher; K Lambert; J Pirkis; MJ Abramson; C Barton; CJ Lodge; JL Perret; NS Idrose; A Lowe; CM Bennett; NT Waidyatillake; V Sundararajan; EH Walters; SC Dharmage; B Erbas

Journal article

BMI trajectories from infancy to 18 years and mental health in emerging adulthood

C Gallagher, K Lambert, J Pirkis, MJ Abramson, C Barton, CJ Lodge, JL Perret, NS Idrose, A Lowe, CM Bennett, NT Waidyatillake, V Sundararajan, EH Walters, SC Dharmage, B Erbas

Journal of Affective Disorders | ELSEVIER | Published : 2025

DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.09.101

Abstract

Background: Studies exploring early life-course BMI trajectories and subsequent mental health outcomes are limited but may provide important insights for early intervention. We investigated associations between BMI trajectories from 0 to 18 years and mental health outcomes in emerging adulthood. Methods: Data were obtained from 434 participants in the Melbourne Atopy Cohort Study (MACS). Anthropometric data were collected across 26 timepoints from infancy to age 25 and group-based trajectory modelling was used to develop BMI trajectories from 0.1 to 18 years. Moderate-to-severe psychological distress (MSPD) and likely depression were assessed at age 18 and 25 years. Associations between BMI ..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Jane Pirkis Author

Michael Abramson Author

Caroline Lodge Author

Jennifer Perret Author

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Grants

Awarded by Nestec

Funding Acknowledgements

The first 12 years of the MACS was funded (study formula and staff) by Nestec Ltd., a subsidiary of Nestle Australia. The National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia funded the 18- (GNT454856) and 25-year (GNT1079668) followups. All bodies that have funded aspects of the MACS have had no role in interpretation and publication of study findings.