Environmental factors associated with childhood overweight

Objective The objective of this study was to assess intrauterine, perinatal and family factors associated with childhood overweight, which are still controversial in the literature. Methods This cross-sectional study included a total of 627 children aged 6 to 10 years, who were enrolled in public and private schools in the city of Vicosa, Minas Gerais State. The nutritional status of the children was classified according to their body mass index, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The following data were collected: weight, height, tricipital and subscapular skinfold thicknesses, circumferences of the waist and hip, and blood pressure. The environmental factors were determined by means of a questionnaire, answered by the mother. The nutritional status of the mothers was classified according to the World Health Organization criteria. Results Out of 627 children, 551 were normal weight children and 76 were overweight. According to multiple logistic regression analysis, the following factors were associated with childhood overweight: maternal obesity (OR: 6.92; p<0.001); being an only child (OR: 1.87; p=0.03); watching television for more than 3 hours per day (OR: 1.91; p=0.04); not practicing physical education at school (OR: 4.80; p=0.02) and being male (OR: 2.60; p=0.001). Conclusion This study elucidated the potentially modifiable environmental factors associated with childhood overweight in the city of Vicosa. The determination of the environmental factors is important, since the increased prevalence of childhood overweight cannot be fully explained by genetic factors.