Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Parental weight status is a key predictor of childhood obesity. However, limited evidence exists on how longitudinal changes in parental BMI influence children's weight trajectories, particularly in families at elevated risk for type 2 diabetes. OBJECTIVES: To investigate children's body mass index-for-age z-score (BMIz) changes over a 2-year period, associated with independent and cumulative changes in parents' BMI. METHODS: In the Feel4Diabetes study, data from 12 280 children (age: 8.2 ± 1.0 years) and their parents were analysed to assess changes in child BMI-for-age z-scores over 2 years in relation to parental BMI changes. Analyses were adjusted for study design and baseline socio-demographic factors and were conducted in both the total sample (all-families) and high-risk for type 2 diabetes families (HR-families). RESULTS: independent decrease in maternal and paternal BMI was associated with a -0.037 (-0.041, -0.033) and -0.027 (-0.031, -0.023) change in child's BMIz [mean (95% CI)]. The joint parental effect was stronger [-0.32 (-0.36, -0.28)], particularly in HR-families [-0.34 (-0.42, -0.26)]. CONCLUSIONS: Parental BMI reductions, especially when both parents are involved, contribute to favourable BMI changes in children. The changes were more pronounced in HR-families, underscoring the need for interventions targeting the whole family in populations at elevated risk for type 2 diabetes.
Source: Pediatric Obesity
DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.70094
Institutions: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Harokopio University of Athens, Ghent University, Medical University of Varna, Medical University of Sofia, Universidad de Zaragoza, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón, Semmelweis University, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Hellenic Mediterranean University
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,880
OpenAlex ID: W7128674339