Parental consumption of ultra-processed, high-fat products has no association with childhood overweight/obesity: an epidemiological study among 10–12-years-old children in Greece. (3rd December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kanellopoulou, Aikaterini; Antoniou, Eleni; Notara, Venetia; Antonogeorgos, George; Rojas-Gil, Andrea-Paola; Kornilaki, Ekaterini; Kordoni, Maria-Eleni; Velentza, Anna; Mesimeri, Magdalini; Lagiou, Areti; Panagiotakos, Demosthenes B
• Is Part Of: Family practice. Volume 38:Number 1(2021)
• Page Start: 49
• Page End: 55
• Publication Date: 2020-12-03
• Subjects: Childhood obesity -- eating disorders/body image -- family health -- nutrition/diet -- physical activity/exercise -- public health; Primary care (Medicine) -- Periodicals; Clinical medicine -- Periodicals; 616.005
• DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmaa030
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0263-2136

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Overweight and obesity during childhood consist two of the most important public health issues in the 21st century. Consumption of high-fat processed food has been increased alarmingly. Objective: To examine the association between parental ultra-processed, high-fat products' consumption and childhood overweight/obesity. Methods: A cross-sectional survey, conducted among 422 children, aged 10–12 years, and their parents, during school years 2014–16. Parental and child data were collected through self-administered, anonymous and validated questionnaires. Among others, high-fat ultra-processed food consumption was also recorded. Children's weight status was based on gender- and age-specific tables derived from the International Obesity Task Force body mass index (BMI) cut-offs. Results: The prevalence of obesity in the reference population was 2.9%, whereas the prevalence of overweight was 19.3%. A strong correlation was observed between children's and their parents' BMI status ( P < 0.001). Multi-adjusted data analysis revealed no association between parental intake of ultra-processed, high-fat products and children overweight/obesity. Similarly, when the data analysis accounted for family income and physical activity status of the children, the aforementioned results remained insignificant. Conclusion: Despite the fact that parents' specific dietary habits seem not to affect their children's weight status, public health programs should consider parental nutrition education and mobilization as a preventive measure for childhood overweight/obesity.