Risk factors of overweight and obesity among preschool children with different ethnic background

Abstract

In this study, we evaluated the risk factors associated with overweight and obesity in 2,640 preschool children in Italy taking into account the ethnic background of the parents. Height and weight were measured and BMI was calculated. Personal and lifestyle data for the children (birth weight, type of breastfeeding, sleep duration, skipping breakfast, snacking, physical activity) and parents (ethnicity, educational level, occupation, weight, height) were collected by means of a questionnaire. Italian and Other European children generally showed the highest percentage of normal weight, while the other ethnic groups presented a greater imbalance. Overweight and obesity were high in African males, who also presented high birth weight. Breastfeeding was most common, although formula feeding was significantly higher in Italians than in immigrants. Immigrants, particularly males, tended to skip breakfast more than Italians. Physical activity was significantly higher in Italians than in immigrants. In the parents, underweight was particularly high in Italian and Other mothers. African parents had high rates of overweight and obesity and a low educational level. The most common profession was worker for the fathers and housewife for the mothers, with the exception of Italians in which clerical work prevailed. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the BMI of children was closely related to the BMI of the parents and the birth weight. Hence, these are the most informative parameters in preventing obesity.

A review of early influences on physical activity and sedentary behaviors of preschool‐age children in high‐income countries

“…A few studies have examined the associations between ethnicity and preschool children's PA (Dawson‐Hahn et al., ; Fitzgibbon et al., , ; O'Connor et al., ; Toselli, Zaccagni, Celenza, Albertini, & Gualdi‐Russo, ). Dawson‐Hahn et al.…”

“…() found that the majority of Latino preschool‐aged children attending Head Start programs exceeded US national and international guidelines of PA duration. A study conducted in Italy among parents of Italian and immigrant preschool‐aged children found that PA was significantly higher in Italians than in immigrants (Toselli et al., ).…”

“…A few studies have examined the associations between ethnicity and preschool children's PA (Dawson-Hahn et al, 2015;Fitzgibbon et al, 2006Fitzgibbon et al, , 2011O'Connor et al, 2014;Toselli, Zaccagni, Celenza, Albertini, & Gualdi-Russo, 2015). Dawson-Hahn et al (2015) found that the majority of Latino preschool-aged children attending Head Start programs exceeded US national and international guidelines of PA duration.…”

A scoping review of epidemiologic risk factors for pediatric obesity: Implications for future childhood obesity and dental caries prevention research

“…Thirteen studies reported race and ethnicity as risk factors for childhood obesity (e.g., Brazilian, Black, Black Caribbean, African, African-American, Asian, multiracial, Hispanic, Latino) (35,39,44,66,76,88,121,122,143,144,147,174,189).…”

Participation in sports, body composition, and fitness characteristics in children according to ethnic background

“…due to an unhealthy lifestyle and to sedentary behavior. 6,7,10 In Italy, studies regarding these disorders in immigrant children are scarce, and give contrasting results, with higher 9,10 or lower 12 overweight/obesity prevalence compared to Italian children.…”