Which factors increase the risk of an infant becoming an overweight child?

Socioeconomic status is a factor

Low socioeconomic status in infancy or early childhood increases the risk of childhood overweight, perhaps because of less breastfeeding and more smoking, among other factors.^6,7 Socioeconomic status was determined using the International Standard Classification of Occupations; children whose parents worked at unskilled manual labor jobs or were unemployed were considered in the lowest socioeconomic group.^6,7

A Brazilian study found that children born in the lowest socioeconomic group had BMI measurements at 18 years of age that were an average of 1.21 kg/m² higher than children in the highest socioeconomic group (P<.05). The study controlled for birth weight, maternal smoking, gestational age, and level of schooling eventually achieved by the child.⁸

Maternal overweight or obesity during the child’s infancy also increases the risk of childhood overweight.^9,10 Infants of obese parents were more likely to be overweight at 7 years, compared with children whose mothers were normal weight (OR=10.44; 95% CI, 5.11-21.23).⁹

Recommendations

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) cites prevention of overweight as a potential benefit of breastfeeding.¹¹ The American Academy of Family Physicians notes that obese mothers should be especially encouraged to breastfeed.¹² The American Medical Association-AAP Expert Panel recommends breastfeeding; safe, free movement; and no television for infants to decrease the risk of later over-weight.¹³