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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2024

Open Access 01-12-2024 | Overweight | Research

Impact of household income on the risk of overweight and obesity over time among preschool-aged children: a population-based cohort study

Authors: Yi-Chang Chou, Feng-Shiang Cheng, Shih-Han Weng, Yung-Feng Yen, Hsiao-Yun Hu

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2024

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Abstract

Background

The temporality of household income level with overweight/obesity in children has not been extensively studied. Little research has been conducted to determine the impact of household income on the risk of childhood overweight/obesity over time. This population-based cohort study aimed to investigate the impact of household income on the risk of overweight/obesity over time among preschool-aged children in Taiwan.

Methods

From 2009 to 2018, we recruited 1,482 preschool-aged children ( ≦ 7 y of age) from low-income households and selected age- and sex-matched controls from non-low-income households for comparison; All participants were selected from those who consistently participated in the Taipei Child Development Screening Program and were monitored for overweight/obesity using body mass index (BMI) until December 31, 2018. Low-income households were defined as those with an average monthly disposable income < 60% of the minimum standard of living expense in Taiwan. The primary outcome was childhood overweight or obesity in study participants, defined as BMI (kg/m2) ≥ 85th percentile or ≥ 95th percentile, respectively. The generalized estimating equations (GEE) model was used to determine the impact of low-income households on the risk of overweight/obesity in study participants.

Results

Over 21,450 person-years of follow-up, 1,782 participants developed overweight /obesity, including 452 (30.5%) and 1,330 (22.4%) children from low- and non-low-income households, respectively. The GEE model showed that the first group had a significantly higher risk of becoming overweight/obese than the other during the follow-up period (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.29–1.60). Moreover, children of foreign mothers had a higher risk of becoming overweight/obese than those of Taiwanese mothers during the follow-up period (aOR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.24–1.8). The subgroup analysis revealed a significant association between low-income households and an increased risk of overweight/obesity in children aged 2–7 years (P =.01). However, this association was not observed in children aged 0–1 years (P >.999).

Conclusions

During the follow-up period, there was a notable correlation between low-income households and an increased risk of preschool-aged children developing overweight or obesity. Implementing health promotion initiatives aimed at reducing overweight and obesity in this demographic is crucial.
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Metadata
Title
Impact of household income on the risk of overweight and obesity over time among preschool-aged children: a population-based cohort study
Authors
Yi-Chang Chou
Feng-Shiang Cheng
Shih-Han Weng
Yung-Feng Yen
Hsiao-Yun Hu
Publication date
01-12-2024
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18010-1

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