Higher Birthweight and Maternal Pre-pregnancy BMI Persist with Obesity Association at Age 9 in High Risk Latino Children

AbstractChildhood obesity is increasing especially in Latinos and early intervention is essential to prevent later obesity complications. Latino children (n  = 201) recruited at two San Francisco hospitals were assessed at birth including infant anthropometrics and feeding practices and followed to age 9 with annual anthropometric assessments. We evaluated the relationship between perinatal risk factors and obesity at age 9 and chronic obesity (obes ity at both 5 and 9 years). Higher birthweight [odds ratio (OR) 2.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06–5.81] and maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.00–1.18) were associated with increased risk for obesity at 9 years. Higher maternal pre-pregnancy BMI (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.01–1.20) was associated with chronic obesity. Additionally, prenatal depression symptoms were protective (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.11–0.94) against chronic obesity. We found no association between maternal age and education, exclusive breastfeeding at 4–6 weeks, rapid infant weight gain, and o besity or chronic obesity. Perinatal risk factors for obesity including higher birthweight and maternal pre-pregnancy BMI persisted until age 9, whereas, other variables significant at age 5 in our cohort and other populations including exclusive breastfeeding and rapid infant weight gain were no lo nger associated with increased risk.
Source: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research