Supplementary Table 1:Comparison of characteristics of participants of the original Childhood Asthma Prevention Study (n=616) who were included (subjects had both dietary measurements at 18 months and BMI recorded at 8 years) and excluded from the current study.

Variable / Excluded (n=254) / Included (n=362) / P-value
Childs gender (%) / 0.95
Male / 50.8 / 50.6
Female / 49.2 / 49.5
Birth weight (grams, mean ± SD) / 3495 ± 486 / 3493 ± 492 / 0.97
Maternal smoking in pregnancy (%)
No / 72.1 / 78.2 / 0.08
Yes / 28.0 / 21.8
Age of parents at child’s birth
(years , mean ± SD)
Mother / 27.7 ± 5.8 / 29.0 ± 4.9 / 0.01
Father / 30.0 ± 6.6 / 31.3 ± 5.6 / 0.01
Australian born (%)
Mother / 72.8 / 75.1 / 0.52
Father / 64.6 / 71.0 / 0.09
Tertiary educated (%)
Mother / 38.6 / 49.2 / 0.01
Father / 35.8 / 48.1 / 0.003
Full-time employment (%)
Mother / 45.7 / 44.8 / 0.82
Father / 79.9 / 87.0 / 0.02
Primigravida (%) / 31.1 / 33.2 / 0.59

Supplementary Table 2:Regression coefficients for total energy intake and macronutrient intake at 18 months predicting BMI at 8 years adjusted for all potential confounders and combinations of birth weight and BMI at 18months

Potential confounders only1 / Potential confounders and birth weight2 / Potential confounders and BMI at 18 months3 / Potential confounders and birth weight and BMI at 18 months4
Variable / Unit / Coefficient / 95% CI / P / Coefficient / 95% CI / P / Coefficient / 95% CI / P / Coefficient / 95% CI / P
Total energy / MJ / 0.20 / -0.10, 0.49 / 0.189 / 0.15 / -0.14, 0.44 / 0.312 / 0.15 / -0.12, 0.41 / 0.283 / 0.14 / -0.13, 0.41 / 0.309
Protein / 100 grams of protein / 4.45 / -0.04, 8.94 / 0.052 / 4.66 / 0.19, 9.12 / 0.042 / 3.68 / -0.46, 7.81 / 0.081 / 3.70 / -0.43, 7.84 / 0.079
Percentage of total energy from protein / % / 0.11 / 0.00, 0.22 / 0.049 / 0.12 / 0.01, 0.23 / 0.031 / 0.09 / -0.01, 0.19 / 0.077 / 0.09 / -0.01, 0.19 / 0.070
Fat / 100 grams of fat / -1.65 / -6.08, 2.79 / 0.467 / 0.57 / -1.80, 2.93 / 0.638 / -1.15 / -5.22, 2.92 / 0.580 / -1.14 / -5.22, 2.93 / 0.582
Percentage of total energy from fat / % / -0.01 / -0.06, 0.05 / 0.785 / -0.01 / -0.06, 0.04 / 0.761 / 0.00 / -0.05, 0.05 / 0.908 / 0.00 / -0.05, 0.05 / 0.903
Carbohydrates / 100 grams of carbohydrates / 0.01 / -1.59, 1.61 / 0.989 / 0.37 / -0.49, 1.23 / 0.401 / 0.00 / -1.46, 1.46 / 0.999 / 0.00 / -1.46-1.45 / 0.997
Percentage of total energy from Carbohydrates / % / -0.01 / -0.05, 0.03 / 0.649 / -0.01 / -0.05, 0.03 / 0.621 / -0.01 / -0.05, 0.03 / 0.651 / -0.01 / -0.05, 0.03 / 0.645

Footnotes:

  1. Adjusted for: sex, asthma study intervention group, breastfeeding for at least 6 months, parental obesity status, ethnicity, smoking in pregnancy, and father's education. Models with intakes of fat, protein and carbohydrates measured in 100 grams are also adjusted for total energy intake
  2. Adjusted for: sex, asthma study intervention group, birth weight, breastfeeding for at least 6 months, parental obesity status, ethnicity, smoking in pregnancy, and father's education. Models with intakes of fat, protein and carbohydrates measured in 100 grams are also adjusted for total energy intake
  3. Adjusted for: sex, asthma study intervention group, BMI at 18 months, breastfeeding for at least 6 months, parental obesity status, ethnicity, smoking in pregnancy, and father's education. Models with intakes of fat, protein and carbohydrates measured in 100 grams are also adjusted for total energy intake
  4. Adjusted for: sex, asthma study intervention group, birth weight, BMI at 18 months,breastfeeding for at least 6 months, parental obesity status, ethnicity, smoking in pregnancy, and father's education. Models with intakes of fat, protein and carbohydrates measured in 100 grams are also adjusted for total energy intake

Supplementary Table 3:Regression coefficients for total energy intake and macronutrient intake at 18 months predicting waist circumference at 8 years adjusted for all potential confounders and combinations of birth weight and BMI at 18months.

Potential confounders only1 / Potential confounders and birth weight2 / Potential confounders and BMI at 18 months3 / Potential confounders and birth weight and BMI at 18 months4
Variable / Unit / Coefficient / 95% CI / P / Coefficient / 95% CI / P / Coefficient / 95% CI / P / Coefficient / 95% CI / P
Total energy / MJ / 0.94 / 0.17, 1.71 / 0.02 / 0.83 / 0.05, 1.61 / 0.04 / 0.80 / 0.09, 1.52 / 0.03 / 0.78 / 0.06, 1.50 / 0.03
Protein / 100 grams of protein / 8.96 / -3.10, 21.02 / 0.15 / 9.75 / -2.28, 21.77 / 0.11 / 7.85 / -3.43, 19.12 / 0.17 / 8.01 / 3.28, 19.31 / 0.16
Percentage of total energy from protein / % / 0.21 / -0.09, 0.50 / 0.17 / 0.24 / -0.05, 0.53 / 0.11 / 0.17 / -0.10, 0.45 / 0.21 / 0.19 / -0.09, 0.46 / 0.19
Fat / 100 grams of fat / -1.96 / -13.79, 9.86 / 0.74 / -2.10 / -13.87, 9.67 / 0.73 / -1.27 / -12.33, 9.79 / 0.82 / -1.30 / -12.36, 9.76 / 0.82
Percentage of total energy from fat / % / 0.01 / -0.13, 0.15 / 0.87 / 0.01 / -0.13, 0.15 / 0.92 / 0.02 / -0.11, 0.15 / 0.80 / 0.02 / -0.12, 0.15 / 0.81
Carbohydrates / 100 grams of carbohydrates / -0.25 / -4.50, 4.00 / 0.91 / -0.29 / -4.53, 3.94 / 0.89 / -0.21 / 4.16, 3.73 / 0.92 / -0.22 / -4.16, 3.72 / 0.91
Percentage of total energy from Carbohydrates / % / -0.03 / -0.14, 0.08 / 0.59 / -0.03 / -0.14, 0.08 / 0.57 / -0.03 / -0.13, 0.08 / 0.61 / -0.03 / -0.13, 0.07 / 0.60

Footnotes:

  1. Adjusted for: sex, asthma study intervention group, breastfeeding for at least 6 months, parental obesity status, ethnicity, smoking in pregnancy, and father's education. Models with intakes of fat, protein and carbohydrates measured in 100 grams are also adjusted for total energy intake
  2. Adjusted for: sex, asthma study intervention group, birth weight, breastfeeding for at least 6 months, parental obesity status, ethnicity, smoking in pregnancy, and father's education. Models with intakes of fat, protein and carbohydrates measured in 100 grams are also adjusted for total energy intake
  3. Adjusted for: sex, asthma study intervention group, BMI at 18 months, breastfeeding for at least 6 months, parental obesity status, ethnicity, smoking in pregnancy, and father's education. Models with intakes of fat, protein and carbohydrates measured in 100 grams are also adjusted for total energy intake
  4. Adjusted for: sex, asthma study intervention group, birth weight, BMI at 18 months,breastfeeding for at least 6 months, parental obesity status, ethnicity, smoking in pregnancy, and father's education. Models with intakes of fat, protein and carbohydrates measured in 100 grams are also adjusted for total energy intake

Supplementary Table 4:Intake of food groups at 18 months and the associated regression coefficients for predicting BMI at 8 yadjusted for all potential confounders and combinations of birth weight and BMI at 18months.

Potential confounders only1 / Potential confounders and birth weight2 / Potential confounders and BMI at 18 months3 / Potential confounders and birth weight and BMI at 18 months4
Food groups / Unit / Coefficient / 95% CI / P / Coefficient / 95% CI / P / Coefficient / 95% CI / P / Coefficient / 95% CI / P
Core Foods
Dairy Foods / grams / -0.19 / -0.40, 0.03 / 0.09 / -0.20 / -0.41, 0.02 / 0.07 / -0.24 / -0.44, -0.04 / 0.02 / -0.24 / -0.44, -0.05 / 0.02
% of total energy / -0.20 / -0.40, 0.00 / 0.05 / -0.21 / -0.41, 0.01 / 0.04 / -0.24 / -0.42, -0.06 / 0.01 / -0.24 / -0.42, -0.06 / 0.01
Milk / grams / -0.09 / -0.31, 0.13 / 0.41 / -0.11 / -0.32, 0.11 / 0.33 / -0.15 / -0.34, 0.05 / 0.15 / -0.15 / -0.35, 0.05 / 0.14
% of total energy / -0.16 / -0.36, 0.05 / 0.14 / -0.17 / -0.38, 0.03 / 0.10 / -0.20 / -0.39, -0.01 / 0.04 / -0.20 / -0.39, -0.02 / 0.03
Fruit / grams / 0.19 / -0.02, 0.40 / 0.08 / 0.17 / -0.04, 0.38 / 0.11 / 0.16 / -0.04, 0.35 / 0.12 / 0.15 / -0.04, 0.35 / 0.12
% of total energy / 0.20 / -0.01, 0.41 / 0.06 / 0.18 / -0.03, 0.39 / 0.09 / 0.15 / -0.04, 0.34 / 0.11 / 0.15 / -0.04, 0.34 / 0.12
Vegetables / grams / 0.19 / -0.01, 0.39 / 0.06 / 0.20 / 0.00, 0.40 / 0.05 / 0.09 / -0.09, 0.28 / 0.33 / 0.09 / -0.09, 0.28 / 0.32
% of total energy / 0.14 / -0.06, 0.34 / 0.17 / 0.13 / -0.06, 0.33 / 0.19 / 0.03 / -0.15, 0.22 / 0.72 / 0.03 / -0.15, 0.22 / 0.72
Cereals / grams / 0.16 / -0.05, 0.37 / 0.14 / 0.16 / -0.05, 0.37 / 0.14 / 0.00 / -0.19, 0.20 / 0.97 / 0.00 / -0.19, 0.20 / 0.96
% of total energy / 0.12 / -0.09, 0.32 / 0.27 / 0.12 / -0.08, 0.33 / 0.23 / 0.03 / -0.16, 0.21 / 0.77 / 0.03 / -0.16, 0.22 / 0.75
Meats / grams / 0.25 / 0.04, 0.45 / 0.020 / 0.25 / 0.04, 0.45 / 0.02 / 0.27 / 0.08, 0.45 / 0.01 / 0.27 / 0.08, 0.45 / 0.01
% of total energy / 0.27 / 0.07, 0.47 / 0.008 / 0.27 / 0.07, 0.47 / 0.01 / 0.29 / 0.11, 0.47 / 0.00 / 0.29 / 0.11, 0.47 / 0.00
Extra Foods
Total Extra foods / grams / -0.03 / -0.24, 0.18 / 0.77 / -0.04 / -0.25, 0.17 / 0.71 / -0.01 / -0.20, 0.19 / 0.96 / -0.01 / -0.20, 0.18 / 0.95
% of total energy / -0.10 / -0.30, 0.10 / 0.34 / -0.10 / -0.30, 0.11 / 0.36 / -0.03 / -0.21, 0.16 / 0.76 / -0.03 / -0.21, 0.16 / 0.76
Non-milk Beverages / grams / 0.05 / -0.16, 0.26 / 0.63 / 0.04 / -0.17, 0.25 / 0.71 / 0.09 / -0.10, 0.28 / 0.34 / 0.09 / -0.10, 0.28 / 0.35
% of total energy / 0.07 / -0.13, 0.28 / 0.48 / 0.07 / -0.14, 0.27 / 0.53 / 0.12 / -0.07, 0.30 / 0.22 / 0.11 / -0.07, 0.30 / 0.22
Sweetened drinks / grams / 0.11 / -0.08, 0.29 / 0.25 / 0.10 / -0.08, 0.29 / 0.27 / 0.12 / -0.05, 0.29 / 0.17 / 0.12 / -0.05, 0.29 / 0.17
% of total energy / 0.04 / -0.14, 0.23 / 0.66 / 0.04 / -0.15, 0.23 / 0.68 / 0.07 / -0.10, 0.24 / 0.44 / 0.07 / -0.10, 0.24 / 0.45
Fried potatoes / grams / 0.10 / -0.15, 0.35 / 0.43 / 0.07 / -0.17, 0.32 / 0.56 / -0.02 / -0.25, 0.21 / 0.88 / -0.02 / -0.25, 0.21 / 0.86
% of total energy / 0.14 / -0.11, 0.38 / 0.27 / 0.11 / -0.13, 0.35 / 0.38 / 0.02 / -0.20, 0.25 / 0.83 / 0.02 / -0.20, 0.25 / 0.85
Salty snacks / grams / 0.06 / -0.16, 0.29 / 0.59 / 0.07 / -0.16, 0.29 / 0.56 / 0.12 / -0.09, 0.33 / 0.25 / 0.12 / -0.09, 0.33 / 0.25
% of total energy / 0.09 / -0.13, 0.31 / 0.42 / 0.09 / -0.13, 0.31 / 0.44 / 0.14 / -0.06, 0.34 / 0.16 / 0.14 / -0.06, 0.34 / 0.17
Confectionery / grams / -0.26 / -0.51, -0.02 / 0.04 / -0.25 / -0.49, 0.00 / 0.05 / -0.16 / -0.39, 0.06 / 0.16 / -0.16 / -0.39, 0.06 / 0.16
% of total energy / -0.25 / -0.49, -0.01 / 0.04 / -0.24 / -0.48, 0.01 / 0.06 / -0.16 / -0.38, 0.07 / 0.17 / -0.16 / -0.38, 0.07 / 0.18
Cereal based foods / grams / -0.24 / -0.45, -0.03 / 0.02 / -0.23 / -0.44, -0.22 / 0.03 / -0.17 / -0.36, 0.02 / 0.08 / -0.17 / -0.36, 0.02 / 0.08
% of total energy / -0.28 / 0.48, -0.08 / 0.01 / -0.27 / -0.47, -0.07 / 0.01 / -0.20 / -0.39, -0.02 / 0.03 / -0.20 / -0.38, -0.02 / 0.03
  1. Adjusted for: sex, asthma study intervention group, breastfeeding for at least 6 months, parental obesity status, ethnicity, smoking in pregnancy, and father's education. Models with intakes of fat, protein and carbohydrates measured in 100 grams are also adjusted for total energy intake
  2. Adjusted for: sex, asthma study intervention group, birth weight,breastfeeding for at least 6 months, parental obesity status, ethnicity, smoking in pregnancy, and father's education. Models with intakes of fat, protein and carbohydrates measured in 100 grams are also adjusted for total energy intake
  3. Adjusted for: sex, asthma study intervention group, BMI at 18 months, breastfeeding for at least 6 months, parental obesity status, ethnicity, smoking in pregnancy, and father's education. Models with intakes of fat, protein and carbohydrates measured in 100 grams are also adjusted for total energy intake
  4. Adjusted for: sex, asthma study intervention group, birth weight, BMI at 18 months, breastfeeding for at least 6 months, parental obesity status, ethnicity, smoking in pregnancy, and father's education. Models with intakes of fat, protein and carbohydrates measured in 100 grams are also adjusted for total energy intake

Supplementary Table 5: Intake of food groups at 18 months and the associated regression coefficients for predicting waist circumference at 8 yadjusted for all potential confounders and combinations of birth weight and BMI at 18months.

Potential confounders only1 / Potential confounders and birth weight2 / Potential confounders and BMI at 18 months3 / Potential confounders and birth weight and BMI at 18 months4
Food groups / Unit / Coefficient / 95% CI / P / Coefficient / 95% CI / P / Coefficient / 95% CI / P / Coefficient / 95% CI / P
Core Foods
Dairy Foods / grams / -0.51 / -1.09, 0.07 / 0.09 / -0.51 / -1.09, 0.07 / 0.08 / -0.59 / -1.13, -0.06 / 0.03 / -0.59 / -1.13, -0.06 / 0.03
% of total energy / -0.45 / -0.99, 0.09 / 0.10 / -0.45 / -0.99, 0.08 / 0.10 / -0.53 / -1.02, -0.03 / 0.04 / -0.53 / -1.02, -0.03 / 0.04
Milk / grams / -0.28 / -0.86, 0.30 / 0.34 / -0.30 / -0.87, 0.28 / 0.31 / -0.37 / -0.90, 0.17 / 0.18 / -0.37 / -0.91, 0.17 / 0.18
% of total energy / -0.18 / -0.74, 0.37 / 0.51 / -0.21 / -0.76, 0.34 / 0.45 / -0.28 / -0.79, 0.23 / 0.28 / -0.29 / -0.80, 0.22 / 0.26
Fruit / grams / 0.65 / 0.07, 1.22 / 0.03 / 0.63 / 0.05, 1.20 / 0.03 / 0.57 / 0.03, 1.11 / 0.04 / 0.57 / 0.03, 1.11 / 0.04
% of total energy / 0.60 / 0.04, 1.16 / 0.04 / 0.56 / 0.00, 1.12 / 0.05 / 0.50 / -0.02, 1.03 / 0.06 / 0.50 / -0.03, 1.02 / 0.06
Vegetables / grams / 0.50 / -0.05, 1.05 / 0.07 / 0.50 / -0.04, 1.04 / 0.07 / 0.27 / -0.24, 0.79 / 0.30 / 0.28 / -0.24, 0.79 / 0.29
% of total energy / 0.32 / -0.22, 0.86 / 0.25 / 0.29 / -0.25, 0.83 / 0.29 / 0.11 / -0.40, 0.62 / 0.67 / 0.11 / -0.40, 0.62 / 0.67
Cereals / grams / 0.34 / -0.22, 0.91 / 0.24 / 0.35 / -0.21, 0.91 / 0.22 / -0.06 / -0.59, 0.48 / 0.84 / -0.05 / -0.59, 0.49 / 0.86
% of total energy / 0.25 / -0.30, 0.80 / 0.37 / 0.28 / -0.27, 0.83 / 0.32 / 0.05 / -0.46, 0.56 / 0.84 / 0.06 / -0.45, 0.58 / 0.81
Meats / grams / 0.57 / 0.01, 1.13 / 0.047 / 0.59 / 0.03, 1.15 / 0.04 / 0.60 / 0.08, 1.12 / 0.02 / 0.60 / 0.08, 1.12 / 0.02
% of total energy / 0.63 / 0.09, 1.17 / 0.022 / 0.63 / 0.10, 1.17 / 0.02 / 0.65 / 0.16, 1.15 / 0.01 / 0.65 / 0.15, 1.15 / 0.01
Extra Foods
Total Extra foods / grams / -0.18 / -0.74, 0.38 / 0.54 / -0.21 / -0.77, 0.34 / 0.45 / -0.18 / -0.70, 0.34 / 0.49 / -0.19 / -0.71, 0.33 / 0.47
% of total energy / -0.29 / -0.84, 0.25 / 0.29 / -0.31 / -0.85, 0.23 / 0.26 / -0.17 / -0.67, 0.34 / 0.52 / -0.18 / -0.68, 0.33 / 0.49
Non-milk Beverages / grams / 0.20 / -0.36, 0.77 / 0.48 / 0.16 / -0.40, 0.73 / 0.57 / 0.24 / -0.28, 0.77 / 0.36 / 0.24 / -0.29, 0.76 / 0.38
% of total energy / 0.22 / -0.33, 0.76 / 0.44 / 0.19 / -0.36, 0.73 / 0.50 / 0.26 / -0.24, 0.77 / 0.31 / 0.25 / -0.25, 0.76 / 0.33
Sweetened drinks / grams / 0.22 / -0.29, 0.72 / 0.40 / 0.20 / -0.31, 0.70 / 0.44 / 0.18 / -0.29, 0.64 / 0.45 / 0.17 / -0.29, 0.64 / 0.46
% of total energy / 0.05 / -0.45, 0.56 / 0.84 / 0.04 / -0.46, 0.54 / 0.89 / 0.06 / -0.40, 0.53 / 0.79 / 0.06 / -0.41, 0.52 / 0.81
Fried potatoes / grams / 0.22 / -0.45, 0.89 / 0.52 / 0.16 / -0.50, 0.83 / 0.63 / 0.02 / -0.60, 0.64 / 0.95 / 0.01 / -0.61, 0.64 / 0.97
% of total energy / 0.31 / -0.35, 0.97 / 0.36 / 0.24 / -0.42, 0.90 / 0.48 / 0.12 / -0.50, 0.74 / 0.71 / 0.10 / -0.52, 0.72 / 0.74
Salty snacks / grams / -0.10 / -0.71, 0.51 / 0.74 / -0.10 / -0.70, 0.51 / 0.76 / 0.03 / -0.54, 0.59 / 0.92 / 0.03 / -0.54, 0.59 / 0.92
% of total energy / 0.06 / -0.54, 0.66 / 0.85 / 0.04 / -0.55, 0.64 / 0.88 / 0.16 / -0.39, 0.72 / 0.57 / 0.16 / -0.40, 0.71 / 0.58
Confectionery / grams / -0.40 / -1.06, 0.26 / 0.24 / -0.36 / -1.02, 0.30 / 0.28 / -0.21 / -0.82, 0.41 / 0.51 / -0.20 / -0.82, 0.41 / 0.52
% of total energy / -0.24 / -0.90, 0.42 / 0.48 / -0.22 / -0.87, 0.44 / 0.52 / -0.08 / -0.69, 0.54 / 0.81 / -0.08 / -0.69, 0.54 / 0.81
Cereal based foods / grams / -0.63 / -1.19, -0.07 / 0.03 / -0.61 / -1.17, -0.05 / 0.03 / -0.47 / -0.99, 0.06 / 0.08 / -0.47 / -0.99, 0.06 / 0.08
% of total energy / -0.77 / -1.31, -0.24 / 0.00 / -0.76 / -1.29, -0.23 / 0.01 / -0.59 / -1.09, -0.09 / 0.02 / -0.59 / -1.09, -0.09 / 0.02
  1. Adjusted for: sex, asthma study intervention group,breastfeeding for at least 6 months, parental obesity status, ethnicity, smoking in pregnancy, and father's education. Models with intakes of fat, protein and carbohydrates measured in 100 grams are also adjusted for total energy intake
  2. Adjusted for: sex, asthma study intervention group, birth weight, breastfeeding for at least 6 months, parental obesity status, ethnicity, smoking in pregnancy, and father's education. Models with intakes of fat, protein and carbohydrates measured in 100 grams are also adjusted for total energy intake
  3. Adjusted for: sex, asthma study intervention group, BMI at 18 months, breastfeeding for at least 6 months, parental obesity status, ethnicity, smoking in pregnancy, and father's education. Models with intakes of fat, protein and carbohydrates measured in 100 grams are also adjusted for total energy intake
  4. Adjusted for: sex, asthma study intervention group, birth weight, BMI at 18 months, breastfeeding for at least 6 months, parental obesity status, ethnicity, smoking in pregnancy, and father's education. Models with intakes of fat, protein and carbohydrates measured in 100 grams are also adjusted for total energy intake