Work

Early childhood weight status among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Aboriginal children in Victoria, Australia: A repeated cross-sectional analysis

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To assess early childhood weight status among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Aboriginal children in Victoria, focussing on age and geographic differences. METHODS: We analysed deidentified Maternal and Child Health records (2010-2015) across 68 Victorian Local Government Areas, comparing differences in Body Mass Index z-score (zBMI) and prevalence of healthy weight (1<zBMI ≤ 1) at 8 weeks, 4 months, 8 months, 1 year and 2 years. Disparities were examined by geographic remoteness and area-level socioeconomic position using linear mixed models. RESULTS: At 8 weeks, 70.5% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and 70.7% of non-Aboriginal children had a healthy weight. Differences in zBMI at 8 weeks were only present among children in the least advantaged areas and major cities. Disparities in healthy zBMI appeared at 4 months and persisted through 2 years. From 4 months, zBMI was significantly higher among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children (p<0.0001), including within socioeconomic and remoteness subgroups, except at age 2 in rural areas (p=0.34). CONCLUSIONS: Disparities in weight status emerge from 4 months with place-based differences at 8 weeks. IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH: Findings underscore the importance of accessible, culturally safe maternal and infant health care and action on socioeconomic inequity.

Source: Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health

DOI: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100299