[Socioeconomic Determinants of Childhood Obesity in the Community of Madrid (Spain): longitudinal study of the ELOIN cohort].

Abstract

Objective: Childhood obesity is a Public Health problem that is unequally distributed across the population. The aim of this paper was to assess baseline socioeconomic determinants (ages four or six) and their association with obesity during follow-up up to age fourteen.

Methods: Participants from the ELOIN cohort (Estudio Longitudinal de Obesidad Infantil) with four standardized weight and height measurements at ages four or six, nine, twelve, and fourteen years old (follow-up 2012-2024) were included. Obesity was defined as BMI (Body mass index) greater than 2 standard deviations according to World Health Organization 2017 growth charts. Socioeconomic variables included: Family Affluence Scale (FAS-II), occupational social class, age, country of birth, and parental educational level. The prevalence of obesity was estimated with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) and crude (cPR) and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) (95% CI) were estimated by socioeconomic factors using Poisson regression models.

Results: Among 2,124 participants (51% girls), 19.8% had at least one parent born outside Spain and 15.6% reported low family affluence. The highest point prevalence of obesity was observed at age nine (14.7%). Overall, 20.1% (95% CI:18.4-21.8) were classified in obesity in at least one of the four assessments. Higher obesity prevalence was observed in socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. Obesity was associated with being a boy (aPR:1.40; 95% CI:1.17-1.68 vs. girls) and low family affluence (aPR:1.36; 95% CI:1.03-1.80 vs. highest affluence).

Conclusions: A positive association between childhood obesity and being male, as well as, lower socioeconomic status was confirmed. Strategies for prevention and intervention should de prioritised for these groups.