The effect of social class on childhood obesity

Researchers at the University of Liverpool have been conducting research into the influence of early life factors that contribute to childhood obesity rates in people of different socio-economic backgrounds. The researchers estimated the risk of overweight and obesity in 12,000 children, according to their socioeconomic circumstances at birth. They also examined the potential impact of a range of factors that were identified using questionnaires. These included whether the mother was overweight before the pregnancy, whether she smoked during it and how the child was fed postpartum.

The study found that being overweight before pregnancy, smoking during pregnancy, lack of breastfeeding and early weaning onto solid foods were all significantly related to a higher BMI by age 11. The researchers suggest that these factors partially account for the social inequalities found in childhood overweight. They go on to explain that policies to support mothers to maintain healthy weight and stay educated on these early life factors are important and should be developed.

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