Perinatal, sociodemographic and lifestyle correlates of increased total and visceral fat mass levels in schoolchildren in Greece: The Healthy Growth Study

George Moschonis, Adriana C. Kaliora, Kalliopi Karatzi, Aggelos Michaletos, Christina Paulina Lambrinou, Alexandra K. Karachaliou, George P. Chrousos, Christos Lionis, Yannis Manios, Katerina P. Skenderi, Evangelia Grammatikaki, Odysseas Androutsos, Sofia Tanagra, Alexandra Koumpitski, Paraskevi Eirini Siatitsa, Anastasia Vandorou, Aikaterini Efstathia Kyriakou, Vasiliki Dede, Maria Kantilafti, Aliki Eleni FarmakiAikaterini Siopi, Sofia Micheli, Louiza Damianidi, Panagiota Margiola, Despoina Gakni, Vasiliki Iatridi, Christina Mavrogianni, Kelaidi Michailidou, Aggeliki Giannopoulou, Efstathoula Argyri, Konstantina Maragkopoulou, Maria Spyridonos, Eirini Tsikalaki, Panagiotis Kliasios, Anthi Naoumi, Konstantinos Koutsikas, Epistimi Aggelou, Zoi Krommyda, Charitini Aga, Manolis Birbilis, Ioanna Kosteria, Amalia Zlatintsi, Elpida Voutsadaki, Eleni Zouboulia Papadopoulou, Zoi Papazi, Maria Papadogiorgakaki, Fanouria Chlouveraki, Maria Lyberi, Nora Karatsikaki-Vlami, Eva Dionysopoulou, Efstratia Daskalou

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objective To identify possibly independent associations of perinatal, sociodemographic and lifestyle factors with childhood total and visceral body fat. Design A representative sample of 2655 schoolchildren (9-13 years) participated in the Healthy Growth Study, a cross-sectional epidemiological study. Setting Seventy-seven primary schools in four large regions in Greece. Subjects A sample of 1228 children having full data on total and visceral fat mass levels, as well as on anthropometric, dietary, physical activity, physical examination, socio-economic and perinatal indices, was examined. Results Maternal (OR=3·03 and 1·77) and paternal obesity (OR=1·62 and 1·78), maternal smoking during pregnancy (OR=1·72 and 1·93) and rapid infant weight gain (OR=1·42 and 1·96) were significantly and positively associated with children's increased total and visceral fat mass levels, respectively. Children's television watching for >2 h/d (OR=1·40) and maternal pre-pregnancy obesity (OR=2·46) were associated with children's increased total and visceral fat mass level, respectively. Furthermore, increased children's physical activity (OR=0·66 and 0·47) were significantly and negatively associated with children's total and visceral fat mass levels, respectively. Lastly, both father's age >46 years (OR=0·57) and higher maternal educational level (OR=0·45) were associated with children's increased total visceral fat mass level. Conclusions Parental sociodemographic characteristics, perinatal indices and pre-adolescent lifestyle behaviours were associated with children's abnormal levels of total and visceral fat mass. Any future programme for childhood prevention either from the perinatal age or at late childhood should take these indices into consideration.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)660-670
Number of pages11
JournalPublic Health Nutrition
Volume20
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2017

Keywords

  • Childhood obesity
  • Lifestyle markers
  • Perinatal markers
  • Sociodemographic markers
  • Total body fat
  • Visceral fat

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