Parental risk factors for infant obesity.

PURPOSE: To facilitate an understanding of the influence of parental characteristics on the development of infant obesity.

DESIGN

Conducted in collaboration with a NIH-funded study of infant growth, this study employed a longitudinal prospective design.

METHODS

Anthropometric measures were obtained monthly and home visits were conducted five times through 15 months of age. The sample was 630 infants and their families. Information about parental characteristics was obtained from the Demographic and Perinatal Data Questionnaire, developed by the investigators of the NIH study. The modified version of Holmes and Rahe Recent Life Change Questionnaire was used to assess family stress.

RESULTS

Parental characteristics predictive of obesity varied across age, and included the maternal variables of weight, weight gain, age, and smoking. Father's presence in the home, parental education, marital status, and socioeconomic status were not significant.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The findings in this research contribute insights into parental risk factors for early obesity. Recommendations include eliminating prenatal smoking and controlling prepregnancy weight and pregnancy weight gain.