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Family‐based social determinants and child health: Cross‐sectional study
Author(s) -
Protano Carmela,
Valeriani Federica,
Macedonio Alessandro,
Cammarota Flavia,
Romano Spica Vincenzo,
Orsi Giovanni Battista,
Vitali Matteo
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
pediatrics international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.49
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1442-200X
pISSN - 1328-8067
DOI - 10.1111/ped.13097
Subject(s) - medicine , overweight , cross sectional study , obesity , environmental health , rural area , demography , gerontology , pathology , sociology
Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between urbanization of residential area, parent education level, employment status, overweight/obesity, physical activity, and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke ( ETS ), in a sample of healthy Italian school‐age children (5–11 years). Methods A cross‐sectional study was conducted on 432 children resident, respectively, in a highly urban and in a rural area (Latium Region) in 2014. Information on children and families were obtained via questionnaire. Results One‐third of children were overweight or obese, 15% did not participate in any sport outside school, and more than one‐third were exposed to ETS in the domestic environment. Living in a rural area (adjusted OR , 2.55; 95% CI : 1.18–5.52) and lower maternal education (adjusted OR , 2.32; 95% CI : 1.03–5.27) were significant predictors of overweight/obese status. Moreover, lower maternal education level (adjusted OR , 2.74; 95% CI : 1.40–5.33) and paternal education level (adjusted OR , 3.06; 95% CI : 1.54–6.07) were significant predictors of ETS exposure. Conclusions It is essential to investigate the reasons underlying the higher frequency of overweight/obesity in children living in rural environments compared with those in urban areas; and preventative actions should be designed to be easily understood by those with lower education levels.