Prevalence of grade 1, 2 and 3 thinness is associated with lower socio-economic status in children in Shanghai, China

et al. 2020

BMC Pediatr

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Background: Sibship size and structure have a significant association with overweight and obesity in children, but the relationship with thinness has not been fully studied and understood, especially in Asia. This study evaluated the associations among number of siblings, birth order, and childhood thinness and investigated the association of number of younger or older siblings with childhood thinness. Methods: In this study, we performed a population-based cross-sectional study among 84,075 3-to 12-year-old children in Shanghai using multistage stratified cluster random sampling. We defined grades 1, 2, and 3 thinness according to the body mass index cutoff points set by the International Obesity Task Force and used multinomial logistic regression models to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Results: Compared with only children, for boys, children with two or more siblings were more likely to suffer from grade 2 (OR = 1.29, 95% CI 1.02, 1.64) and grade 3 thinness (OR = 1.60, 95% CI 1.07, 2.40); and the youngest child faced a higher risk of grade 2 (OR = 1.44, 95% CI 1.09, 1.90) and grade 3 thinness (OR = 1.53, 95% CI 1.01, 2.33). For girls, children with one sibling were more likely to suffer from grade 1 thinness (OR = 1.22, 95% CI 1.05, 1.42); the oldest child, middle child, and youngest child faced a higher risk of grade 1 (OR = 1.42, 95% CI 1.09, 1.84), grade 2 (OR = 1.26, 95% CI 1.03, 1.54), and grade 1 thinness (OR = 1.87, 95% CI 1.21, 2.88) respectively. There was no statistically significant relationship, however, between a larger number of younger or older siblings and childhood thinness. Conclusions: Regardless of sex, having either siblings or a higher birth order was positively associated with childhood thinness. The present study has suggested that future interventions to prevent childhood thinness should consider family background as an important factor, especially in multi-child-families.

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In 2010, China had a thinness rate of 9.0% among children ages 6 to 17 years old, including 10.4% for boys and 7.3% for girls [6]. In Shanghai, the prevalence of thinness was 13.92% for boys and 18.45% for girls ages 3 to 12 years old [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association of number of siblings, birth order, and thinness in 3- to 12-year-old children: a population-based cross-sectional study in Shanghai, China

et al. 2020

BMC Pediatr

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“…This investigation was based on a large school-based cross-sectional study that was part of a population survey of autism spectrum disorders led by the government. Relevant sampling methods have been described in a previous study [7] and are brie y stated as follows. This study was conducted using multistage, strati ed cluster random sampling among children ages 3 to 12 years old in Shanghai, China, in June 2014.…”

Section: Study Design and Participantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association of number of siblings, birth order, and thinness in 3- to 12-year-old children: a population-based cross-sectional study in Shanghai, China

et al. 2020

Preprint

Self Cite

Background: Sibship size and structure have a significant association with overweight and obesity in children, but the relationship with thinness has not been fully studied and understood, especially in Asia. This study evaluated the associations among number of siblings, birth order, and childhood thinness and investigated the association of number of younger or older siblings with childhood thinness.Methods: In this study, we performed a population-based cross-sectional study among 84,075 3- to 12-year-old children in Shanghai using multistage stratified cluster random sampling. We defined grades 1, 2, and 3 thinness according to the body mass index cutoff points set by the International Obesity Task Force and used multinomial logistic regression models to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI).Results: Compared with only children, for boys, children with two or more siblings were more likely to suffer from grade 2 (OR = 1.29, 95% CI 1.02, 1.64) and grade 3 thinness (OR = 1.60, 95% CI 1.07, 2.40); and the youngest child faced a higher risk of grade 2 (OR = 1.44, 95% CI 1.09, 1.90) and grade 3 thinness (OR = 1.53, 95% CI 1.01, 2.33). For girls, children with one sibling were more likely to suffer from grade 1 thinness (OR = 1.22, 95% CI 1.05, 1.42); the oldest child, middle child, and youngest child faced a higher risk of grade 1 (OR = 1.42, 95% CI 1.09, 1.84), grade 2 (OR = 1.26, 95% CI 1.03, 1.54), and grade 1 thinness (OR = 1.87, 95% CI 1.21, 2.88) respectively. There was no statistically significant relationship, however, between a larger number of younger or older siblings and childhood thinness.Conclusions: Regardless of sex, having either siblings or a higher birth order was positively associated with childhood thinness. The present study has suggested that future interventions to prevent childhood thinness should consider family background as an important factor, especially in multi-child-families.

“…This investigation was based on a large school-based cross-sectional study, which was part of a population survey of autism spectrum disorders led by the government. Relevant sampling methods have been described in a previous study [8], and are briefly stated as follows. This study was conducted using multistage, stratified cluster random sampling among children ages 3 to 12 years old in Shanghai, China, in June 2014.…”

Section: Study Design and Participantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In 2010, China had a thinness rate of 9.0% among children aged 6 to 17 years old, including 10.4% for boys and 7.3% for girls [7]. In Shanghai, the prevalence of thinness was 13.92% for boys and 18.45% for girls aged 3 to 12 years old [8]. Moreover, the childhood thinness rate gradually increased in both mega-cities and poorer rural areas, and has therefore become one of the most significant public health problems requiring timely and effective intervention.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association of number of siblings, birth order, and thinness in 3- to 12-year-old children: a population-based cross-sectional study in Shanghai, China

et al. 2019

Preprint

Self Cite

Background: To evaluate the associations among number of siblings, birth order, and childhood thinness as well as the effect of number of younger or older siblings on childhood thinness. Methods: In this study, we performed a population-based cross-sectional study among 84075 3- to 12-year-old children in Shanghai using multistage stratified cluster random sampling. We defined grade 1, 2, and 3 thinness according to the body mass index cutoff points set by the International Obesity Task Force, and used multivariable logistic regression models to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Results: Compared with only children, sibling children were more likely to be thin: one sibling (OR = 1.21, 95% CI 1.11, 1.31) and two or more siblings (OR = 1.10 95% CI 1.02, 1.19); Middle children (OR = 1.14, 95% CI 1.04, 1.26) and youngest children (OR = 1.38, 95% CI 1.23, 1.55) had significantly increased ORs for childhood thinness. There was no statistically significant relationship, however, between a larger number of younger or older siblings and childhood thinness. Conclusions: Having either siblings or a higher birth order was positively associated with childhood thinness. The present study suggests that future interventions to prevent childhood thinness should consider family background as an important factor, especially in multi-child families.