Maternal obesogenic environment and its association with childhood obesity in Peru: A 9-year analysis of a national survey

Abstract

Introduction: Childhood obesity is a global public health concern with increasing prevalence in Peru. The obesogenic environment, including maternal and family environmental factors, plays a crucial role in the development of childhood obesity. Objective: To analyze the association between the maternal obesogenic environment and obesity in children under five years of age in Peru. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study used data from the Demographic and Family Health Survey (DHS) from 2014 to 2022. To assess the obesogenic environment, variables such as maternal obesity, television use, smoking, and maternal anemia were analyzed. Childhood obesity was a body mass index Z-score > +3 standard deviations. A Poisson regression model was used to calculate crude and adjusted prevalence ratios. Results: The prevalence of childhood obesity was 1.99%. Obese mothers were found to be 1.52 times more likely to have obese children (aPR=1.52, 95% CI 1.40-1.65; p<0.001). No significant associations were found between frequent television use, maternal smoking, and anemia with childhood obesity after adjusting for multiple factors. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of the maternal obesogenic environment, especially maternal obesity, in developing childhood obesity in Peru. Comprehensive interventions that address multiple aspects of the family obesogenic environment, including the prevention and management of maternal obesity, promotion of healthy lifestyles, and strengthening of public policies that foster healthy environments, are recommended.