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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study

Published on: February 2, 2017

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Relationship between Obstetric Mode of Delivery and Risk of Overweight/Obesity in 1- to 4-Year-Old Children

Peiying Huang1,2, Xiulin Shi3,4, Fangsen Xiao3,4

  • 1Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China, peiyingh@xmu.edu.cn.

Obesity Facts
|February 10, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Cesarean delivery is linked to an increased risk of overweight and obesity in children aged 1-4 years. Pregnant women considering cesarean birth without medical necessity should be aware of this potential health risk for their offspring.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Obstetrics

Background:

  • Childhood obesity is a significant public health concern with potential lifelong implications.
  • The association between delivery mode and childhood obesity risk remains incompletely understood.
  • Cesarean section (CS) is being investigated as a potential contributing factor to pediatric overweight and obesity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between the mode of delivery (vaginal vs. cesarean) and the risk of overweight and obesity in children from 1 to 4 years of age.
  • To analyze anthropometric outcomes in children based on their delivery method.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort study involving 9,964 newborns registered in Xiamen city's maternal and child registration system.
  • Follow-up of children from birth to 4 years of age, with data collected between January 2011 and December 2012.
  • Analysis of Body Mass Index (BMI) Z-scores and overweight/obesity incidence, adjusting for potential confounding factors.

Main Results:

  • Cesarean deliveries accounted for 34.7% of the study population.
  • Children born via CS exhibited higher BMI Z-scores and an increased risk of overweight/obesity compared to vaginally born children.
  • Adjusted analysis revealed a significant increase in BMI Z-scores (0.04) and an 8% higher incidence of overweight/obesity (OR = 1.08) in CS-born offspring.

Conclusions:

  • Cesarean delivery is associated with an elevated risk of overweight and obesity in children aged 1-4 years.
  • Elective cesarean deliveries, performed without clear medical indications, warrant careful consideration due to the potential for increased offspring obesity risk.
Abstract

Keywords:
Childhood obesityMode of deliveryZ-score

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