Abstract
Family-based strategies to reduce the risk of overweight in childhood are needed in the Caribbean. To investigate the associations between parental characteristics and risk of overweight and explore possible mechanisms. Data from a parenting intervention were analysed. Parental characteristics were obtained by questionnaire at enrolment. At 18 months, 501 infants (82.9% of cohort) had weight and length measured using standardized methods. The association of parents' characteristics with risk of infant overweight was assessed using random-effects logistic regression. Four focus groups among mothers in Jamaica were conducted to explore mechanisms. Overall, 20.6% of infants were 'at risk of overweight'. Fathers were present in 52% of households. Fathers' presence [OR (95% CI) 0.60 (0.37-0.96)] was associated with reduced risk of overweight independent of socioeconomic status. Mothers reported that fathers encouraged healthier practices. Fathers may be important agents of change in intervention strategies to prevent childhood overweight.
Highlights
It is estimated that the global prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity increased from 4.2% (26.9 million children
Overall 52% of fathers lived in the home with a lower percentage of Jamaican fathers living with their child (44.3%) (Table 1)
Our findings support the importance of parental characteristics and, in particular, fathers’ characteristics in influencing the risk for overweight in this sample of Caribbean infants
Summary
It is estimated that the global prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity increased from 4.2% (26.9 million children
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