Parental unemployment during the Great Recession and childhood adiposity

Abstract

The incidence of adiposity in the early years of life has outgrown the prevalence rate in older children and adolescents globally; however, the relationships between unemployment and weight are predominantly studied in adults. This study examines the relationship between changing economic conditions during the Irish recession and child weight. Fixed effect logistic regression is used to examine the effects of parental unemployment on weight using the Growing up in Ireland infant cohort from 2008 to 2013. This study is the first to use longitudinal anthropometric measurements to estimate the impact of parental unemployment on children's weight before, during and after a recession. Child growth charts are used to quantify children according to overweight for BMI, weight for age, and weight for height measures. For BMI, the probability of a child being overweight is 6 percentage points higher if either parent has experienced unemployment. For weight for age the probability is of similar magnitude across several alternative growth charts and definitions of adiposity. The analysis is repeated, cross-sectionally, for physical activity and diet to clarify mechanisms of effect. The probability of a child consuming healthy food and physical activity with an implied cost is lower if either parent becomes unemployed. A focus on excess adiposity in the early years is of crucial importance as if current trends are not addressed a generation of children may grow up with a higher level of chronic disease.

The Portuguese economic crisis is associated with socioeconomic and sex disparities on children's health‐related behaviors and obesity: A cross‐sectional study

“…A before‐after‐crisis approach revealed that overweight in Spanish children below the age of 15 increased 8.5% from 2006 to 2010/2012 (Rajmil et al, 2013). A study carried on in young Irish children between 2008 and 2013, found that the probability of a child being classified as overweight/obese was 8% higher if either parent experienced unemployment (Briody, 2021). County‐level unemployment in 2008–2012 was also found to be associated with increased obesity risk in the United States (Oddo et al, 2016).…”

“…The number of families who could afford to pay for extracurricular and sport activities decreased with the economic crisis (Briody, 2021; González‐Bueno et al, 2012; Verde‐Diego et al, 2020). Low PA is commonly connected with screen overuse, and both phenomena increased among Greek children during the years throughout the Great Recession (Venetsanou et al, 2020).…”

“…A substitution toward processed sweet and savory food and away from fruit and vegetables over the Great Recession, was also seen among British children (Griffith et al, 2013). In Ireland, the probability of children consuming healthy food was lower if parents experienced unemployment during the Great Recession (Briody, 2021). A systematic review from 2014 observed that the economic crisis was linked to worsening nutrition habits in children, particularly those from disadvantaged families (Rajmil et al, 2014).…”

“…With the financial strain and unemployment caused by the economic crisis, the engagement in health‐related behaviors is likely to be disturbed. The probability of a child consuming healthy food and engaging in daily PA is lower if either parent becomes unemployed, which is also associated with 6% higher risk of obesity among Irish children (Briody, 2021). Simultaneously, uncertainty toward the future and feelings of lack of control caused by volatile macroeconomic conditions, impose greater psychological stress on parents from socially disadvantaged households (Basking et al, 2019; Casey et al, 2006; Dubois et al, 2006).…”

Economic recession, parental unemployment and adolescents’ health-related quality of life and mental health outcomes in Greece

“…Past studies found that adverse economic conditions could harm the physical and mental health of children under 18 due to disruption of normal family processes, restricted access to health services, reduction in well-being investments, personal unhappiness, family tension, stressful situations, conflicts between parents, and antisocial behaviours (Briody 2021;Aleman-Diaz et al 2016;Elgar et al 2015;World Health Organization 2012;Harper and Jones 2011;Carlo et al 2011;Conger et al 2010;Solantaus et al 2004). Rajmil et al (2014) provided an international study concerning the impact of the 2008 economic crisis on children's health.…”