Factors associated with young children being overweight on entry to primary school

Abstract

Childhood obesity is a serious public health challenge, and there is limited evidence to show which pre-school interventions may prevent its occurrence. This study assessed whether selected factors, including contact with the Starting Well 0–19 service for children aged 1–3 years in north-west England, influenced children's risk of being overweight at primary school entry. It found that families with the most contact with the service (an integrated health visitor and children's centre offer) were more at risk. The findings show that the focus of these contacts does not positively influence risk factors for later overweight prevalence. The study findings replicate a known association between deprivation and children being overweight. Families having the highest contact levels with the Starting Well service had a significant association with their children being overweight at entry to primary school. This provides an opportunity to target these families with healthy lifestyle interventions and reduce the potential risk of childhood obesity.