Journal of Education and Health Promotion

Parental weight status and early adolescence body weight in association with socioeconomic factors

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

. Venetia Notara 1
. Emmanuella Magriplis 2
. Christos Prapas 3
. George Antonogeorgos 4
. Andrea Paola Rojas‑Gil 5
. Ekaterina N. Kornilaki 6
. Areti Lagiou 3
. Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos 4

1 Department of Public and Community Health, University of West Attica, Athens Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University

2 Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens

3 Department of Public and Community Health, University of West Attica, Athens

4 Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University

5 Department of Nursing, Faculty of Human Movement and Quality of Life Sciences, University of Peloponnese, Sparta,

6 Department of Preschool Education, School of Education, University of Crete,Greece

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity remains a major health issue. The understanding of the
multifactorial nature of childhood obesity remains the cornerstone to eliminate the rising trends. This
study aimed to examine the association between parental and childhood weight status, in relation
to various socioeconomic (SE) factors.
METHODS: A cross‑sectional survey was conducted including 1190 children aged 10–12 years and
their parents, during school years 2014–2016. Primary schools from five Greek counties (including
Athens metropolitan area) were randomly selected. Parental and child data were collected through
self‑administered, anonymous questionnaires. Children’s weight status was based on gender‑ and
age‑specific tables derived from the International Obesity Task Force body mass index (BMI) cut offs.
General Linear Model (GLM), Univariate and multivariate analyses were applied. Multiple logistic
regressions was used to determine the association between children and parents’ weight status.
RESULTS: Childhood prevalence of overweight and obesity was 25.9% (21.8% overweight and 4.1%
obese), with prevalence being significantly higher in males (31.7% compared to 21.3%; P for gender
differences < 0.001). The percent of overweight and obese male (34.4% and 43.1%) and female
children (20.3% and 31.8%) significantly increased with paternal overweight and obesity status,
respectively. The same relationship was observed between male children and maternal overweight and
obesity status (43.4% and 65.7%). This was not evident among females (27% and 23.2%). Regression
analysis showed a significant positive association with parental BMI, a negative association with
both parental educational levels (low to high), living space, and parental age (P < 0.05, for all).
Children’s likelihood of being overweight or obese increased significantly with increasing parental
weight status (P < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: Parental weight status remained the most significant predictive factor for early
adolescence obesity among various SE factors. Health promotion strategies should consider parental
education as an effective childhood obesity preventive measure.

Keywords

Children weight status
health promotion
obesity risk factors
parental weight status
socioeconomic factors
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Journal of Education and Health Promotion
Volume 9, Issue 4
April 2019
Pages 1-10

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