It used to be the thinner a child was the more likely they were to come from a poor family – now the reverse is true. New research looking at thousands of children in the UK over 6 decades has found that in this century the more disadvantaged a child is the more likely they are to be overweight or obese.
The researchers believe it’s down to changes in levels of activity and our diet since the end of rationing after World War II.
Observational Study
The study, spanning the years 1953 to 2015 included data from children born in England, Scotland and Wales who were enrolled in 4 birth studies beginning in 1946, 1958, 1970, and 2001.
In all, 22,500 children had their height and weight recorded and their BMI (body mass index) calculated at the age of 7 years, 34,873 at age 11, and 26,128 were assessed at age 15.
The occupation of the child’s father was used to assess their socioeconomic position, although the results remained the same when repeated using the mother’s education level.
Findings
Weight : In the 1946, 1958 and 1970 groups, being a child or adolescent from a poorer background was associated with low weight – by 2001 it was associated with higher weight.
For example, in the 1946 group the most disadvantaged 11-year olds weighed 2kg (4.4lbs) less than the least disadvantaged children. However, in the 2001 group, the most disadvantaged 11-year olds weighed 2.1kg (4.6lbs) more than the least disadvantaged children.
Height : In all groups, the most disadvantaged children tended to be shorter than the least disadvantaged children although the difference narrowed over time.
For example, in 1946 the most disadvantaged 7-year olds were 3.9cm (1.5 inches) shorter than the least disadvantaged children, whereas the difference in the 2001 group was 1.2cm (0.47 inches).
BMI: Inequalities in BMI were largest in the 2001 group than the groups that came before.
For example, in the 2001 group the most disadvantaged teenagers had a BMI that was 1.4 greater than the least disadvantaged teenagers. In 1958 the difference in BMI between the poorest teenagers and the most well off was 0.4.
On average the children from the 2001 group were taller, heavier, and had a higher BMI than the children from earlier born groups.
It’s worth noting these findings may not apply to all ethnic groups in Britain as the majority of children enrolled in the studies have been white.
The study has been published in The Lancet Public Health journal.
Possible Reasons
The authors believe our changing diet and levels of physical activity could be the reason for their findings.
War-time rationing only ended in 1954 when diets typically included more vegetables, less sugar, and fewer soft drinks. Since then they say our food environment has become more likely to cause obesity.
The lead author, Dr David Bann, from University College London, says bold, legislative changes are needed that focus on society and the food industry, rather than individuals or families. He suggests creating further incentives for food manufacturers to reduce sugar and fat content in food and drinks, reducing the advertising of unhealthy foods to children and families, and incentivising the sale of healthier alternatives.
SOURCES:
The Lancet Public Health journal: Socioeconomic inequalities in childhood and adolescent body-mass index, weight, and height from 1953 to 2015: an analysis of four longitudinal, observational, British birth cohort studies
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