Acta Paediatrica, International Journal of Paediatrics
Volume 107, Issue 11, 2018, Pages 1946-1952

Parental education and family income affect birthweight, early longitudinal growth and body mass index development differently (Article)

Bramsved R. , Regber S. , Novak D. , Mehlig K.* , Lissner L. , Mårild S.
  • a Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, The Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, The Sahlgrenska Academy at Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
  • b School of Health and Welfare, Halmstad University, Halmstad, Sweden
  • c Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, The Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, The Sahlgrenska Academy at Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
  • d Section for Epidemiology and Social Medicine (EPSO), Institute of Medicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy at Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
  • e Section for Epidemiology and Social Medicine (EPSO), Institute of Medicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy at Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
  • f Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, The Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, The Sahlgrenska Academy at Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden

Abstract

Aim: This study investigated the effects of two parental socio-economic characteristics, education and income, on growth and risk of obesity in children from birth to 8 years of age. Methods: Longitudinal growth data and national register-based information on socio-economic characteristics were available for 3,030 Swedish children. The development of body mass index (BMI) and height was compared in groups dichotomised by parental education and income. Results: Low parental education was associated with a higher BMI from 4 years of age, independent of income, immigrant background, maternal BMI and smoking during pregnancy. Low family income was associated with a lower birthweight, but did not independently predict BMI development. At 8 years of age, children from less educated families had a three times higher risk of obesity, independent of parental income. Children whose parents had fewer years of education but high income had significantly higher height than all other children. Conclusion: Parental education protected against childhood obesity, even after adjusting for income and other important parental characteristics. Income-related differences in height, despite similar BMIs, raise questions about body composition and metabolic risk profiles. The dominant role of education underscores the value of health literacy initiatives for the parents of young children. ©2018 Foundation Acta Pædiatrica. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Author Keywords

Parental education Socio-economic factors Health promotion Childhood obesity Birthweight

Index Keywords

educational status immigrant longitudinal study multicenter study lowest income group clinical trial human Longitudinal Studies controlled study priority journal family size income Sweden Humans smoking female socioeconomics prevalence Article major clinical study adult health education anthropometry family income parental behavior Birth Weight body mass body height health literacy Pediatric Obesity Body Mass Index childhood obesity highest income group smoking habit gestational age Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85041611646&doi=10.1111%2fapa.14215&partnerID=40&md5=df2b87d019c1bae5cb0a8bf7b0652cc1
DOI: 10.1111/apa.14215
ISSN: 08035253
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English