Maternal Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Is Associated with Higher BMI Among Preschool-Aged Children: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Katherine J BarrettSarah Hibbs-ShippSavannah HobbsRichard E BolesTracy L NelsonSusan L JohnsonLaura L BellowsPublished in: Childhood obesity (Print) (2023)
Childhood obesity is an ongoing concern in the United States. Higher weight status in early childhood is associated with higher weight status at older ages. The Maternal Obesity Matters (MOMs) Study investigated associations between maternal risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and child BMI z-scores (BMIz) among preschool-aged children. This cross-sectional exploratory study included mothers and their 3- to 5-year-old children in Colorado, United States. Maternal nonfasting blood samples, blood pressure, and maternal and child anthropometrics were collected. Maternal CVD risk was assessed on a scale of 0-5 using five health measures. Multivariate regression tested associations between maternal CVD risk and child BMIz. Each 1-point increase in maternal CVD risk was associated with a 0.18 increase in child BMIz, controlling for maternal employment. Intervening upon maternal health may be an important strategy for addressing childhood obesity.
Keyphrases
- birth weight
- cardiovascular disease
- pregnancy outcomes
- weight gain
- mental health
- blood pressure
- body mass index
- healthcare
- cross sectional
- physical activity
- public health
- weight loss
- gestational age
- young adults
- insulin resistance
- coronary artery disease
- climate change
- social media
- preterm birth
- risk assessment
- body weight
- high resolution
- atomic force microscopy
- risk factors
- community dwelling
- cardiovascular events
- high speed
- human health