Ethnic differences in risk factors for obesity in New Zealand infants
Laura D Howe1, Lis Ellison-Loschmann2, Neil Pearce3
1MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK Centre for Public Health Research, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand.
Insights
Māori and Pacific infants in New Zealand face higher risks for early-life obesity. These disparities, evident from birth, are linked to maternal obesity and dietary patterns, necessitating urgent interventions.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Childhood obesity disproportionately affects Māori and Pacific children in New Zealand.
- Early life factors contribute significantly to the development of obesity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate ethnic disparities in early-life obesity risk factors among infants in New Zealand.
- To determine the extent to which sociodemographic factors and measured risk factors explain these ethnic differences.
- To assess ethnic variations in infant weight at 3 months and the factors influencing them.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 687 infants in an internet-based birth cohort in New Zealand.
- Examination of ethnic differences in risk factors such as maternal obesity, infant birth weight, and maternal dietary patterns.
- Investigation of the role of sociodemographic variables (education, age, deprivation) and other measured risk factors.
Main Results:
- Māori and Pacific infants had double the risk of having an obese mother compared to NZ European infants.
- Māori and Pacific infants were heavier at birth and at 3 months.
- Maternal dietary patterns ('snacks' vs. 'healthy'/'sweet') differed, but inequalities were not explained by sociodemographic factors, maternal pre-pregnancy BMI, or other measured risk factors.
Conclusions:
- There is an excess prevalence of early-life obesity risk factors in Māori and Pacific infants in New Zealand.
- Urgent early interventions are needed to address these ethnic inequalities in childhood obesity.
- Findings highlight the need for culturally appropriate strategies to mitigate obesity risk in vulnerable infant populations.
Background:
In New Zealand, the burden of childhood obesity is greatest in Māori and Pacific children.
Methods:
In 687 infants from an internet-based birth cohort in New Zealand, we investigated ethnic differences in early life risk factors for later obesity, the degree to which these were explained by sociodemographic factors, and the extent to which ethnic differences in weight at age 3 months were explained by measured risk factors.
Results:
The risk of having an obese mother was double in Māori and Pacific infants compared with NZ European infants (prevalence 24% and 14%, respectively; OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.23 to 4.04). Māori and Pacific infants had higher weights in the first week of life and at 3 months (mean difference 0.19 kg, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.38), and their mothers had higher scores on a 'snacks' dietary pattern and lower scores on 'healthy' and 'sweet' dietary patterns. These inequalities were not explained by maternal education, maternal age or area-based deprivation. No ethnic differences were observed for maternal pre-pregnancy physical activity, hypertension or diabetes in pregnancy, exclusive breastfeeding or early introduction of solid foods. Ethnic inequalities in infant weight at 3 months were not explained by sociodemographic variables, maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index or dietary pattern scores or by other measured risk factors.
Conclusions:
This study shows excess prevalence of early life risk factors for obesity in Māori and Pacific infants in New Zealand and suggests an urgent need for early interventions for these groups.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Obesity
01:29Bias in Epidemiological Studies
01:06Heritability
01:23Anatomy of the Intestines
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the...
01:28Anorexia Nervosa
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
01:10Nature and Nurture