Body mass index trajectories of Indigenous Australian children and relation to screen time, diet, and demographic factors

Abstract

ObjectiveLimited cross‐sectional data indicate elevated overweight/obesity prevalence among Indigenous versus non‐Indigenous Australian children. This study aims to quantify body mass index (BMI) trajectories among Indigenous Australian children aged 3‐6 and 6‐9 years and to identify factors associated with the development of overweight/obesity.MethodsThree‐year BMI change was examined in up to 1,157 children in the national Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children. BMI trajectories among children with normal baseline BMI (n = 907/1,157) were quantified using growth curve models.ResultsBaseline prevalences of overweight/obesity were 12.1% and 25.4% among children of mean age 3 and 6 years, respectively. Of children with normal baseline BMI, 31.9% had overweight/obesity 3 years later; BMI increased more rapidly for younger versus older (difference: 0.59 kg/m2/year; 95% CI: 0.50‐0.69), female versus male (difference: 0.15 kg/m2/year; 95% CI: 0.07‐0.23), and Torres Strait Islander versus Aboriginal (difference: 0.36 kg/m2/year; 95% CI: 0.17‐0.55) children. Results were consistent with less rapid rates of BMI increase for children with lower sugar‐sweetened beverage (including fruit juice) and high‐fat food consumption. Children's BMI was lower in more disadvantaged areas.ConclusionsOverweight/obesity is common, and increases rapidly, in early childhood. Interventions are required to reduce the overweight/obesity prevalence among Indigenous Australian children in the first 3 years of life and to slow the rapid overweight/obesity onset from age 3 to 9 years.

Socio‐economic disadvantage and cardiovascular risk factors in young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians

“…The finding that early socio‐economic disadvantage is associated with lower BMI is consistent with previous reports of lower BMI among younger Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in more disadvantaged regions . This contrasts with the inverse relationship between socio‐economic advantage and BMI in children and young people in the broader Australian population, but is consistent with the socio‐economic patterning of BMI among children in low and middle income countries .…”

Sugar- and Intense-Sweetened Drinks in Australia: A Systematic Review on Cardiometabolic Risk

“…Thirteen cross-sectional and five longitudinal were included. Thirteen [ 14 , 15 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ] examined children and adolescent populations aged between 4–18 years and five studies [ 13 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 ] examined adult populations. One [ 26 ] examined older adolescents and adults aged 16–65 years.…”

Intergenerational and early life influences on the well-being of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children: overview and selected findings fromFootprints in Time, the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children

“…obesity, smoking and diabetes during pregnancy) are common in the Indigenous Australian population; [47][48][49][50][51][52][53] these factors are therefore likely to contribute to the high prevalence of overweight and obesity observed among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. 53 Longitudinal analysis of LSIC data by Thurber et al 54 has also identified a high prevalence of obesity among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the first years of life, and a rapid onset of overweight and obesity from age 3 to 9 years. In addition, this research identified the potential role of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption in contributing to the rapid development of obesity among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.…”

“…In addition, this research identified the potential role of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption in contributing to the rapid development of obesity among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. 54 Thurber et al have also explored the social, cultural and environmental context of dietary behaviours, with analysis showing that sugarsweetened beverage consumption is shaped by social and environmental factors such as housing and parental education, 55 and that many social, cultural and environmental barriers prevent optimal intake of fruits and vegetables. 56 Major life events and mothers' mental health SEWB for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families encompasses mental health as well as broader components such as spiritual, cultural and social well-being, and overall community well-being.…”