Family structure in relation to body mass index and metabolic score in European children and adolescents
Related Research units
Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed at investigating the association between both aspects of family structure with BMI and a metabolic score (MetS).
Methods: Cross-sectional data from 7804 children participating in the European multi-center I.Family study (2013/2014) and longitudinal data from 5621 children who also participated previously in the IDEFICS study (2007-2010) were used. Family structure was assessed by a detailed interview. BMI z-score and the MetS were based on measured anthropometry, blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein, blood glucose, and triglycerides. Linear regressions were performed to model associations between family structure with BMI and MetS.
Results: Children from single-parent families had higher BMI z-scores in the cross-sectional (β = 0.09, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.001 to 0.18) and longitudinal analyses compared to those from two-parent families. Cross-sectionally, the number of siblings was associated with lower BMI z-scores (β = -0.07, 95% CI: -0.10 to -0.03) and lower MetS (β = -0.14, 95% CI: -0.26 to -0.01). Longitudinally, only children between baseline and follow-up had higher BMI z-scores at follow-up (β = 0.07, 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.14) compared to stable siblings.
Conclusion: Obesity prevention measures should focus on single-parent households and families with an only child.
Bibliographical data
Original language | English |
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Article number | e12963 |
ISSN | 2047-6310 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 12.2022 |