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Cesarean section and risks of overweight and obesity in school-aged children: a population-based study

S Chu1,2, Y Zhang3, Y Jiang4

  • 1MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.

QJM : Monthly Journal of the Association of Physicians
|September 6, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Caesarean section (CS) delivery is linked to higher risks of childhood overweight and obesity. This association holds true even for CS births without clear medical indications, suggesting a potential impact on children's long-term health.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Global obesity presents a significant health challenge.
  • Previous research suggests a link between caesarean section (CS) and increased childhood obesity risk.
  • The causal relationship and potential confounding factors, such as medical indications for CS, require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between caesarean section (CS) and the risk of overweight and obesity in school-aged children.
  • To specifically examine the impact of CS without medical indications on childhood obesity risk.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional survey was conducted using data from the 2014 Shanghai Child Health, Education and Lifestyle Evaluation.
  • A total of 13,724 children aged 5-13 years, born singleton and at term, were included in the analysis.
  • Logistic regression models were employed to assess the risk of childhood overweight and obesity, with vaginal delivery as the reference group.

Main Results:

  • Caesarean section (CS) was significantly associated with increased risks of overweight (adjusted OR=1.28) and obesity (adjusted OR=1.44) based on BMI.
  • Elevated risks were also observed for weight for height ratio (WHtR >0.46) in CS-born children (adjusted OR=1.33).
  • CS deliveries performed without medical indications showed similar associations with increased risks of overweight (adjusted OR=1.24) and obesity (adjusted OR=1.43).

Conclusions:

  • Both overall caesarean section (CS) and CS without medical indications are associated with a higher risk of overweight and obesity in primary school children.
  • These findings highlight a potential public health concern regarding the long-term metabolic health of children born via CS.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms and potential interventions.
Abstract

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