In Germany and other northern European countries, risks for childhood overweight and obesity are elevated especially among immigrants from non-western countries, e.g., Turkey and Morocco. Results suggest that the onset of health inequalities in overweight lies in the prenatal time and early infancy periods. A higher incidence of gestational diabetes among Turkish women and a rapid postnatal growth among Turkish infants may contribute to the observed higher prevalence of child overweight in this group. Migrant-sensitive prevention programs during certain critical periods from pregnancy to childhood should focus on increasing uptake of antenatal care and improving adequate fetal and postnatal growth. ©2015 by De Gruyter.

Childhood obesity prevention Migrants Lifecourse

Germany prenatal care prevalence Turk (people) Incidence Article childhood obesity human postnatal growth migration pregnancy diabetes mellitus