Family characteristics and childhood predictors of overweight and obesity in adults attending general outpatient clinic, Ibadan

Abstract

Background: The World Health Organization has reported that there is an increasing rate of overweight and obesity and this has reached an epidemic proportion. Parental influence during childhood and family routine characteristics are been proposed as contributing factors for overweight and obesity. Objective: The study therefore sought to determine the relationship between family
characteristics, childhood predictors and overweight/obesity.
Methodology: This was a case-control study amongst adult patients aged 18 -60 years. Cases were respondents with Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m² ; they were age and sex matched with controls (BMI 18.5 < 25 kg/m² ), in ratio 1:1 (N=342). Interviewer administered questionnaires were applied to consenting patients to gather information on socio-demography, parental influence during childhood, family routine characteristics. The pattern of family meals was assessed with the Family Ritual Questionnaire dinnertime scale. Data was analysed with SPSS version 22. McNemar Chi-square and logistic regression were used to draw inferences at p<0.05 level of significance.
 Result: The mean BMI of the case and control groups was 30.08(±4.25) kg/m² and 21.74(±2.35) kg/m respectively. Amongst the
cases, 102 (59.6%) were overweight while 69(40.4%) were obese. There was no significant difference in the socio-demographic
profiles of the groups. Having a self-reported history of childhood/adolescent obesity, family history of obesity, desire for large body
size and having a poor family mealtime routine were statistically associated with overweight and obesity with p-value < 0.05.
Respondents with history of obesity in childhood/adolescent and family history of obesity were 3.6 and 3 times respectively more
likely to be overweight or obesity than if there was no such history.
Conclusion: Childhood/adolescent obesity and family history of obesity are predictors of obesity. Involving the family as a unit in
weight loss control may be beneficial for both the identified patient and his/her (immediate) family members who are at increased risk
of becoming overweight and obese themselves.

Keywords: Family characteristics, Childhood Predictors, Overweight and Obesity