Ecological determinants of obesity risk in Mexican infants: a scoping review

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Public Health
• Nutrition Science

Background:

• Childhood obesity is a complex, multifactorial disease with origins often predating birth.
• Prevention strategies must commence within the critical first 1000 days of life.
• Understanding risk factors across the Six-Cs model is essential for effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and quantify studies on childhood obesity risk factors in Mexico.
• To analyze these factors through the lens of the Six-Cs model (cell, child, clan, culture, community, country).
• To identify risk factors associated with overweight and obesity in children under two years old.

Main Methods:

• A systematic scoping review following PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
• Searches conducted across major databases: PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCOhost.
• Analysis focused on studies relating risk factors to anthropometric indicators in young children.

Main Results:

• The majority of reviewed studies (88%) were observational.
• The 'child' and 'clan' (family) domains were most frequently studied.
• Significant risk factors identified include high birth weight, Cesarean birth, inadequate feeding, maternal obesity, maternal underestimation of child weight, stressful parenting, food insecurity, urban living, family income, and preference for ultra-processed foods.
• The 'community', 'culture', and 'country' levels were least studied.

Conclusions:

• Research on early childhood obesity in Mexico is nascent.
• A significant knowledge gap exists at the socioecological levels of the Six-Cs model.
• Further research is needed to inform evidence-based interventions for reducing early obesity.