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Determinants Associated With Obesity in Children of Low Socioeconomic Status Families: A Narrative Review

Zeena Harakeh1, Wilma Otten2, Pepijn van Empelen1

  • 1Department of Child Health, TNO, Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research, Leiden, the Netherlands.

Journal of Obesity
|October 6, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Children from low socioeconomic status (SES) families face higher risks of obesity. Research on changeable factors influencing childhood obesity in these families is limited, highlighting a need for more investigation into parent-related mechanisms.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Children from low socioeconomic status (SES) families exhibit increased risk for obesity and related lifestyle behaviors like poor nutrition and inactivity.
  • Understanding modifiable determinants is crucial for developing targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify changeable individual and environmental determinants of obesity and related lifestyle behaviors in children aged 0-12.
  • To specifically focus on determinants relevant to low SES populations.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic literature search was conducted in PsycINFO/Ovid and PubMed.
  • Included 42 systematic reviews/meta-analyses focusing on children (0-12 years) and obesity-related outcomes.
  • Extracted modifiable determinants and the role of SES.

Main Results:

  • Nine reviews examined determinants, SES, and childhood obesity.
  • Environmental factors, particularly family and peer influences, were predominantly studied.
  • SES appears to indirectly influence child obesity via parental factors (e.g., parental BMI, smoking, TV viewing) and may moderate their impact.

Conclusions:

  • Research on obesity determinants in low SES children is scarce and lacks theoretical grounding.
  • Mechanisms linking parental factors to child obesity in low SES families remain unclear.
  • Future research should explore individual/environmental determinants and SES-related mechanisms for effective family interventions.

Keywords:
childreneatingenvironmental determinantsindividual determinantsobesityphysical activityreviewsedentary behaviorsocioeconomic status

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