Clinical Report: Infant infections tied to later obesity
Overview
A study found that infants requiring medical care for infections had increased weight gain and higher obesity odds by ages 4-6 and 10-15. The association strengthened with the number of infections.
Background
This study highlights the impact of medically attended infections during infancy on weight outcomes.
Data Highlights
| Infection Group | Obesity Rate (Ages 10-15) | Weight Difference (kg) |
|---|---|---|
| No infections | 20% | - |
| Untreated infections | 24% | 0.23 kg |
| Treated infections | 27% | 0.46 kg |
Key Findings
- Children with untreated infections had 9% higher odds of obesity at ages 4-6 and 11% at ages 10-15.
- Obesity rates were 20% for no infections, 24% for untreated infections, and 27% for treated infections at ages 10-15.
- Children with more than three infections had 30% higher odds of obesity and weighed 1.19 kg more than those with no infections.
- Antimicrobial treatment was not significantly linked to increased obesity risk.
- Most infections were viral, particularly upper respiratory infections, bronchiolitis, and ear infections.
Clinical Implications
The findings may prompt further investigation into the mechanisms linking early infections and later weight gain.
Conclusion
The study indicates an association between medically attended infections in infancy and increased obesity risk later in childhood.
Related Resources & Content
- Emerging Infectious Diseases journal, CDC, 2026 -- Infections in Infancy and Association with Long-Term Weight Gain and Obesity in Children, Southern California, USA
- MDSpire News, 2025 -- Childhood Illness Linked to Long-Term Risks
- Frontiers in Immunology, 2026 -- Early Maternal Obesity Shapes Offspring Development through Immune Mechanisms: A Systematized Review
- the pathologist, 2025 -- Infection Burden in Children
- JAMA Network, 2024 -- Interventions for High Body Mass Index in Children and Adolescents: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement
- MDSpire News — When Obesity Meets Infection Risk
- Infections in Infancy and Association with Long-Term Weight Gain and Obesity in Children, Southern California, USA - Volume 32, Number 8—August 2026 - Emerging Infectious Diseases journal - CDC
- Interventions for High Body Mass Index in Children and Adolescents: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement | Guidelines | JAMA | JAMA Network
- The association between antibiotic use in infancy and overweight during childhood and adolescence: a historical cohort study | International Journal of Obesity
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