Associations between caregivers' health behaviours and overweight/obesity among children aged 2-6 years in Beijing, China: a cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the correlation between caregivers' health-related behaviours and the prevalence of overweight/obesity among children aged 2-6 years in Beijing city in China.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Two kindergartens and two community health service centres in Beijing city, China.

Participants: A total of 1967 children aged 2-6 years were included.

Primary and secondary outcome measures: Children's height and weight were measured and body mass index was computed. The caregivers' exercise health behaviours and dietary health behaviours were assessed using a questionnaire, encompassing the frequency of exercise and the duration of each exercise session, as well as the frequency of consumption of desserts, late-night snacks, and fast food, regular eating habits, and the proportion of meat and vegetables consumed daily. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify relationships between caregivers' health-related behaviours and overweight/obesity in children.

Results: Having caregivers who exercised ≥3 times/week (OR 0.643, 95% CI 0.417 to 0.990) was a protective factor against childhood overweight/obesity compared with having caregivers who exercised <1 time/week; caregivers' frequent encouragement of children's participation in physical activity was also a protective factor (OR 0.513, 95% CI 0.352 to 0.749). Additionally, children whose caregivers consumed sweets 2-3 times/week (OR 1.535, 95% CI 1.133 to 2.081) or ≥4 times/week (OR 1.916, 95% CI 1.258 to 2.918), as well as children whose caregivers consumed fast food ≥4 times/week (OR 2.298, 95% CI 1.349 to 3.914), were more likely to be overweight and obesity than children whose caregivers consumed these foods ≤1 time/week. Furthermore, caregivers' irregular eating habits were positively associated with the occurrence of overweight and obesity in children (OR 1.485, 95% CI 1.056 to 2.089).

Conclusion: Caregivers' health-related behaviours were significantly associated with overweight/obesity among children in China. Substantial measures should be implemented to address caregivers' health-related behaviours to prevent and control childhood overweight/obesity.