Topic 3 Risk factors

Obesity is a chronic condition that results from an interconnection between genetic and environmental factors.

Maternal BMI: if kept within the normal range in the period prior to gestation can prevent the pathology in the child
Cigarette smoking and the incorrect use of antibiotics: associated with a higher adiposity of the child at birth, which is associated with a higher BMI from 2 to 6 years of life.
A high birth weight
Absence of breastfeeding
High intake of simple sugars
Insufficient duration of sleep

Larqué et al., “From conception to infancy — early risk factors for childhood obesity,” Nat. Rev. Endocrinol., vol. 15, no. 8, pp. 456–478, 2019

Strive for a healthy weight before pregnancy.
Don’t smoke during pregnancy.
Aim for a reasonable weight gain during pregnancy.
Breastfeed (preferably without other liquids for 4-6 months and some breastfeeding for at least 12 months).
Ensure infants get adequate sleep during the first few years of life.

Socioeconomic adversity (maternal intimate partner violence, child maltreatment and neglect, maternal depression and maternal drug use, financial hardship)
Offspring stress
Emotional turmoil

The individual will naturally seek relief from these uncomfortable states through the brain-reward system

S. Weihrauch-Blüher and S. Wiegand, “Risk Factors and Implications of Childhood Obesity,” Curr. Obes. Rep., vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 254–259, 2018