Overview

• New findings from the COPSAC2010 cohort study reveal waist-to-height ratio at age 10 is a stronger predictor of cardiometabolic risk than fat gain patterns over time.
• Children in the 'slow-rising' group showed elevated blood pressure, insulin resistance, inflammatory markers, and lower HDL cholesterol compared to peers.
• Three distinct fat growth trajectories were identified: stable, 'rising then stabilizing,' and 'slow-rising,' with the latter linked to the highest health risks.
• The study underscores the importance of integrating waist-to-height ratio measurements into routine pediatric care to identify children at risk early.
• Ongoing metabolomic analyses aim to uncover the biological mechanisms connecting central obesity with systemic metabolic dysfunction.