Objective To examine the association between maternal prepregnancy obesity and cognitive test scores of children at early primary school age. Methods A descriptive observational design was used. Study subjects consist of 3412 US children aged 60 to 83 months from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 Mother and Child Survey. Cognitive test scores using the Peabody Individual Achievement Test reading recognition and mathematics tests were used as the outcomes of interest. Association with maternal prepregnancy obesity was examined using the ordinary least square regression controlling for intrauterine, family background, maternal and child factors. Results Children of obese women had 3 points (0.23 SD units) lower PIAT reading recognition score (p=0.007), and 2 points (0.16 SD units) lower PIAT mathematics scores (p<.0001), holding all other factors constant. As expected, cognitive test score was associated with stimulating home environment (reading: β=0.15, p<.0001, and math: β=0.15, p<.0001), household income (reading: β=0.03, p=0.02 and math: β=0.04, p=0.004), maternal education (reading: β=0.42, p=0.0005, and math: β=0.32, p=0.008), and maternal cognitive skills (reading: β=0.11, p<.0001, and math: β=0.09, p<.0001). Conclusion There was a significant association between maternal prepregnancy obesity and child cognitive test scores that could not be explained by other intrauterine, family background, maternal, and child factors. Children who live in disadvantaged postnatal environments may be most affected by the effects of maternal prepregnancy obesity. Replications of the current study using different cohorts are warranted to confirm the association between maternal prepregnancy obesity and child cognitive test scores.

Background and purpose More nurse practitioners (NPs) infiltrate into primary care settings, and play a pivotal role in prevention of childhood obesity. However, minimal research has been published about their practice patterns. The current study uses a sample of Ohio NPs and describes NPs’ childhood obesity prevention practice patterns, knowledge of the guidelines, their personal physical activity in relation to childhood obesity prevention practices, and identification of perceived barriers for practice. Method Mail surveys were sent to a random selection of Ohio NPs. Quantitative and qualitative analyses methods were used to analyze the association between NPs’ personal physical activity and their practice patterns and barriers to preventive practices related to childhood obesity. Conclusions Ohio NPs who reported engaging in higher physical activity levels were more likely to report providing frequent assessment and counseling of healthy diet and physical activity. Frequency of weight tracking and referral to specialists were less frequent regardless of physical activity engagement by the NPs. Parental resistance was the most significant barrier to lifestyle counseling. Implications for practice Findings from the current study may offer new insight into innovative approaches for treatment and prevention of childhood obesity. These may include simple quality improvement projects to advocacy for community and school programs.

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