Overweight in singletons compared to children with siblings: the IDEFICS study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of overweight in only children to those with siblings and to explore potential behavioral mediating factors. This study relies upon cross-sectional data collected at survey centers in eight European countries participating in Identification and prevention of Dietary- and lifestyle-induced health EFfects In Children and infantS (IDEFICS). The present analysis is based on measured anthropometry and parent or guardian-reported socio-demographic characteristics. Subjects include 12 720 children aged 2–9 years for whom number of siblings was known. Singletons were more likely (odds ratio 1.52, 95% confidence interval (CI):1.34–1.72) to be overweight than their peers with siblings when controlling for factors related to childhood overweight, including survey country, parental education, parental weight, maternal age, child's age, birth weight and gender. The three southernmost countries have over threefold risk of overweight, dominated by Italy, compared with the north-central countries, which is not explained by the prevalence of singleton children. The excess risk of overweight among children without siblings was robustly observed even when considering behavioral mediating factors (playtime, screen time per day, dietary propensities for sugar or fat, parental attitudes towards food rewards and television in the child's bedroom). Among singletons aged 6–9 years, the excess risk of overweight was 1.70 (95% CI: 1.44–2.01) compared with 1.32 (95% CI: 1.10–1.60) in younger singletons.

Risk factors for childhood overweight: a 30-month longitudinal study of 3- to 6-year-old children

“…Although some previous studies did not found an association between weight status and family composition (47) , Padez et al (7) also found in their cross-sectional study among 7-to 9?5-year-old children that being a single child was significantly associated with overweight in girls. This has also been reported in the past for the UK (48) , the Netherlands (49) and more recently by the IDEFICS Study (Identification and prevention of Dietaryand lifestyle-induced health Effects In Children and infantS) (50) using data of eight European countries. Children without siblings possibly got less PA, had greater sugar consumption and were more likely to have a TV in their bedroom (50) .…”

“…This has also been reported in the past for the UK (48) , the Netherlands (49) and more recently by the IDEFICS Study (Identification and prevention of Dietaryand lifestyle-induced health Effects In Children and infantS) (50) using data of eight European countries. Children without siblings possibly got less PA, had greater sugar consumption and were more likely to have a TV in their bedroom (50) . This should be kept in mind when developing interventions addressing lifestyle behaviours.…”

Early feeding practices and family structure: associations with overweight in children

“…In this study, 12 720 children were included based upon completeness of family structure data (35) . All survey centres obtained ethics approval from their respective authority.…”

Excess weight and factors associated in preschool of southwest of Bahia

“…This results is consistent to anothers studies which also found more than risk of EW in singletons. 16,28 This association is explained by the fact of a greater number of children implies a greater division of family income, therefore, singletons would present a greater possibility for acquisition to preferred products with high energetic density. 29 It is emphasized that the excessive mother´s concern with child care and the persistence of the belief that child feeding is directly related to weight gain.…”