Objective: To assess whether socioeconomic inequalities were already present in preschool children. Study design: We used data from 2954 Dutch children participating in a longitudinal birth cohort study. Indicators of socioeconomic status were mother's educational level and household income. Body mass index (BMI)-for-age standard deviation scores were derived from a national reference. Overweight was defined at 24 and 36 months according to age- and sex-specific cut-off points for BMI. Multivariable regression analyses were performed. Results: Relative to children from mothers with the highest educational level, mean BMI standard deviation scores was lower at age 24 months in children from mothers with the low, mid-low, and mid-high educational level, and in the mid-low group at 36 months (P < .001). Prevalence of overweight was lower in children from mothers with the mid-low educational level at age 24 and 36 months (adjusted odds ratio at 24 months: 0.61; 95% confidence interval: 0.43-0.87 and at 36 months: 0.65; 95% confidence interval: 0.44-0.96) but was not significantly different for the other educational levels. There were no significant differences in childhood overweight by income level. Conclusions: The inverse association between socioeconomic status and childhood overweight presumably emerges after age 3 years. Before this age, the gradient may be the reverse.

doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2010.06.008, hdl.handle.net/1765/20610
Journal of Pediatrics
Erasmus MC: University Medical Center Rotterdam

van Rossem, L., Silva, L., Hokken-Koelega, A., Arends, L., Moll, H., Jaddoe, V., … Raat, H. (2010). Socioeconomic Status is not Inversely Associated with Overweight in Preschool Children. Journal of Pediatrics, 157(6). doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2010.06.008