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Childcare in Infancy and Later Obesity: a Narrative Review of Longitudinal Studies

Silvia Costa1, Jean Adams1, Sarah Gonzalez-Nahm2

  • 1UKCRC Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR), MRC Epidemiology Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.

Current Pediatrics Reports
|August 29, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Non-parental childcare in infancy shows mixed results for later obesity risk. While most associations were non-significant, some studies linked increased childcare exposure to higher obesity rates.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Public Health Nutrition

Background:

  • Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern.
  • Early life experiences, including childcare, may influence long-term health outcomes.
  • Understanding the relationship between infant care and later obesity is crucial for prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To synthesize existing research on the longitudinal association between non-parental childcare during infancy and subsequent obesity.
  • To identify trends and inconsistencies in the current literature.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of studies examining the link between infant non-parental childcare and later obesity.
  • Analysis of 74 distinct associations across 11 eligible studies.
  • Assessment of heterogeneity in study designs, childcare definitions, and obesity measures.

Main Results:

  • Eleven studies were included, yielding 74 associations.
  • The majority of associations (57%) were non-significant.
  • A significant proportion of associations (41%) indicated a positive relationship between increased non-parental childcare exposure and higher obesity risk.
  • Few studies suggested a protective effect of childcare against obesity.

Conclusions:

  • Limited research exists on the longitudinal impact of infant non-parental childcare on later obesity.
  • Current findings are mixed, mirroring results from cross-sectional studies and older age groups.
  • Heterogeneity in defining and measuring childcare and obesity hinders direct comparisons between studies.
Abstract

Keywords:
AdiposityBody weightChild careInfantNurseries

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