Childhood obesity risk factors by race and ethnicity

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Maria Pineros-Leano, Boston College; Natalie Grafft, Boston College; Liliana Aguayo, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2022-08-01
• Publisher: WILEY
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2022 The Obesity Society.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/oby.23500
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: OBESITY
• Volume: 30
• Issue: 8
• Start Page: 1670
• End Page: 1680
• Grant/Funding Information: MPL, LA, and this research study were supported by the training grant “Illinois Transdisciplinary Obesity Prevention Program (I-TOPP)” funded by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), under Award No. 2011–67001-30101. LA is currently supported by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (R01 115937–03S2).
• Keywords: CHILDREN; Nutrition & Dietetics; Endocrinology & Metabolism; RECOMMENDATIONS; Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; WEIGHT-GAIN; SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES; SLEEP DURATION; RACIAL/ETHNIC DISPARITIES
• Research Categories: Sociology, Ethnic and Racial Studies; Health Sciences, Nutrition

Abstract

Objective: Childhood obesity is a public health concern that often worsens with age. Although several risk factors at the child and maternal levels have been identified in cross-sectional studies, less is known about their long-term contribution to racial/ethnic disparities in childhood obesity. This study examines child- and maternal-level factors associated with the growth trajectories of White, Black, and Latino children. Methods: Group-based trajectory models were used to identify BMI z score trajectories from birth to 9 years of age among White, Black, and Latino children. The associations of child- and maternal-level factors with the trajectory group identified as at risk for obesity were examined using adjusted logistic regression analysis, stratified by race/ethnicity. Results: Among White children, fast-food consumption (odds ratio [OR] = 1.66; 95% CI: 1.09-2.52) was associated with higher odds of following an at-risk trajectory. Among Black and Latino children, prepregnancy BMI was associated with following an at-risk trajectory (OR = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.03-1.08 for Black children, and OR = 1.12; 95% CI: 1.07-1.17 for Latino children). Conclusions: These findings showed racial/ethnic differences in the risk factors that influence the likelihood of obesity during childhood. Further research is needed to identify modifiable racial/ethnic specific risk factors to guide obesity-prevention interventions.