Changes in family income status and the development of overweight and obesity from 2 to 15 years: a longitudinal study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

An emerging body of research suggests the trajectory of a family's income affects children's health and development more profoundly than the often-measured income at a single time point. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between changes in family income status, early-life risk factors, and body mass index (BMI) z-score trajectory from age 2 to 15 years.

Methods

This longitudinal study employed a birth cohort (n = 595) located in a rural region of New York State. Data were collected through an audit of medical records and mailed questionnaires. Family low-income and BMI z-score trajectories were identified using latent-class modeling techniques that group children based on similar trends across time. We examined five early-life risk factors

SUBMITTER: Demment MM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4041137 | biostudies-literature | 2014 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature