Multiple generations’ socioeconomic status as determinant of childhood obesity

Childhood obesity is a growing public health problem globally. Being obese in a child could significantly affect his or her healthy development and bring long-term health consequences (Oral et al., 2019). Previous studies reported that the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Indonesia is growing, so it must be addressed promptly to prevent the adverse effects in the future (Rachmi et al., 2016; Syahrul et al., 2016).

Dietary patterns with higher consumption of highly processed foods and lower consumption of fruits and vegetables, low levels of physical activity, sedentary lifestyle, lower sleep time, and lower educational and socioeconomic status could increase the risk of overweight and obesity (Aranceta-Bartrina & Pérez-Rodrigo, 2016). Another research showed that important determinants of childhood obesity include high socioeconomic status, urban environment, female gender, lower nutrition knowledge, excessive marketing by food companies, high academic stress, and poor facilities for physical activity (Gupta et al., 2012).

We already know that the socioeconomic status is not just a matter of core family but rooted far more on the higher generations. Grandparents’ wealth is associated with grandchildren’s wealth although the association is mediated by parents’ wealth (Adermon et al., 2018). There were also an association between grandfathers’ social class or occupational status and the socioeconomic status of grandsons, that remain stable over time and were stronger for paternal line (Dribe & Helgertz, 2016). The educational level of grandparents has clear implications for the educational success of their children and grandchildren (Hancock et al., 2018).

On the anthropometric side, BMI transmission seen over three generations through the maternal line, probably more influenced by genetic factors instead of socioeconomic status (Murrin et al., 2012). Rachmi et al reported that children had a greater probability of being at risk, or overweight/obese when they were male, or had at least one parent who was overweight/obese, or had fathers with high educational status (Rachmi et al., 2016). Another study showed that physical activity and parental obesity history are the most important determinants for childhood obesity in Iran (Baygi et al., 2012). The focus of this study is to analyze multiple generations’ socioeconomic status for childhood obesity as a potential determinant.

Reference:

Adermon, A., Lindahl, M., & Waldenström, D. (2018). Intergenerational Wealth Mobility and the Role of Inheritance: Evidence from Multiple Generations. Economic Journal, 128(612), F482–F513.

Aranceta-Bartrina, J., & Pérez-Rodrigo, C. (2016). Nutrición Hospitalaria Determinants of childhood obesity : ANIBES study. Nutricion Hospitalaria, 33(4), 17–20.

Baygi, F., Dorosty, A. R., Kelishadi, R., Qorbani, M., Asayesh, H., Mansourian, M., & Mirkarimi, K. (2012). Determinants of childhood obesity in representative sample of children in north east of iran. Cholesterol, 875163, 1–5.

Dribe, M., & Helgertz, J. (2016). The lasting impact of grandfathers: Class, occupational status, and earnings over three generations in Sweden 1815-2011. Journal of Economic History, 76(4), 969–1000.

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Hancock, K. J., Mitrou, F., Povey, J., Campbell, A., & Zubrick, S. R. (2018). Educational inequality across three generations in Australia. Australian Journal of Social Issues, 53(1), 34–55.

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Oral, O., Cerit, M., & Erdogan, M. (2019). Evaluation of Flexibility Capacity in Pediatric Overweight. International Journal of Applied Exercise Physiology, 8(4), 145–151.

Rachmi, C. N., Agho, K. E., Li, M., & Baur, L. A. (2016). Stunting, underweight and overweight in children aged 2.0-4.9 years in Indonesia: Prevalence trends and associated risk factors. PLoS ONE, 11(5), 1–17.

Syahrul, S., Kimura, R., Tsuda, A., Susanto, T., Saito, R., & Ahmad, F. (2016). Prevalence of underweight and overweight among school-aged children and it’s association with children's sociodemographic and lifestyle in Indonesia. International Journal of Nursing Sciences, 3(2), 169–177.