Childhood exposure to parental smoking and life-course overweight and central obesity
Johanna Jaakkola, Suvi Rovio, Katja Pahkala, Jorma Viikari, Tapani Rönnemaa, Antti Jula, Harri Niinikoski, Juha Mykkänen, Markus Juonala, Nina Hutri‐Kähönen, Mika Kähönen, Terho Lehtimäki, Olli T. Raitakari
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between childhood parental smoking exposure and the risk of overweight/obesity from childhood to adulthood. METHODS: in adults and using the Cole criteria in children. Central obesity was defined as waist circumference > 100/90 cm in men/women and as a waist-to-height ratio > 0.50 in children. Statistical analyses were adjusted for age, sex, socioeconomic status, smoking, birth weight, parental ages, diet and physical activity. RESULTS: Childhood parental smoking exposure was associated with increased risk for life-course overweight/obesity (YFS: RR1.13, 95%CI 1.02-1.24; STRIP: RR1.57, 95%CI 1.10-2.26) and central obesity (YFS: RR1.18, 95%CI 1.01-1.38; STRIP: RR1.45, 95%CI 0.98-2.15). CONCLUSIONS: Childhood exposure to parental smoking is associated with increased risk of overweight/obesity over the life-course. KEY MESSAGES Exposure to parental smoking in childhood was associated with increased risk of overweight/obesity, central obesity and adiposity measured by skinfold thickness from childhood to adulthood.