Postpartum Obesity Is Associated With Increases in Child Adiposity in Midchildhood in a Cohort of Black and Dominican Youth

Abstract

Background

Obesity disproportionately affects marginalized and low-income populations. Birth parent obesity from the prenatal period and childhood has been associated with child obesity. It is unknown whether prenatal or postnatal birth parent obesity has differential effects on subsequent changes in adiposity and metabolic health in children.

Objectives

We evaluated how birth parent obesity 7 y after delivery was associated with child body composition changes and cardiometabolic health in midchildhood and further assessed the influence of the perinatal and postpartum period on associations.

Methods

Black and Dominican pregnant individuals were enrolled, and dyads ( n = 319) were followed up at child age 7 and 9 y. Measures included, height, weight, waist circumference (WC), and percent body fat (BF%). Multiple linear regression was used to relate postpartum weight status with child outcomes accounting for attrition, and a series of secondary analyses were conducted with additional adjustment for perinatal weight status, gestational weight gain (GWG), and/or long-term weight retention to evaluate how these factors influenced associations.

Results

Almost one-quarter (23%) of birth parents and 24.1% children were classified with obesity at child age 7 y, while at 9 y, 30% of children had obesity. Birth parent obesity at child age 7 y was associated with greater changes, from ages 7 to 9 y, in child BMI z-score (β: 0.13; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.24) and BF% (β: 1.15; 95% CI: 0.22, 2.09) but not obesity at age 9 y. All observed associations crossed the null after additional adjustment for prenatal factors.

Conclusions

Birth parent obesity at 7-y postpartum is associated with greater gains in child BMI z-score and BF% in midchildhood. These associations diminish after accounting for prenatal size, suggesting a lasting impact of the perinatal environment and that interventions supporting families from the prenatal period through childhood are needed.