Contrasting patterns of overweight and thinness among preschool children of different ethnic groups in Norway, and relations with maternal and early life factors.

In a multi-ethnic cohort we found strikingly different patterns of overweight and thinness among children of different ethnic groups at age 4-5 years, and a strong association between maternal BMI and their children's weight status. More knowledge is needed on what characterizes and what promotes healthy growth patterns in multi-ethnic populations.