Familial aggregation of body mass index: a population-based family study in eastern Finland.
In this study, we investigated the familial aggregation of body mass index (BMI) in a sample of families with young offspring from eastern Finland. 15-year-olds were examined from 1996 to 1997, and their biological parents were examined from 1993 to 1994. 224 children were invited; 184 families participated, and 144 were included in the analysis with complete data. Significant positive correlations were found for mother-offspring pairs (correlation [r] = 0.31, p < 0.001, n = 140), father-offspring (r = 0.23, p = 0.017, n = 107), mother-daughter (r = 0.26, p = 0.044, n = 63) and mother-son (r = 0.36, p = 0.001, n = 77). Adjustment for confounding variables did not alter these results. There was a higher proportion of children in the highest quartile of BMI when the mother was obese (odds ratio [OR] = 3.0, 95 % CI = 1.4 - 6.7, n = 140) and when one or both parents were obese (OR = 2.8, 95 % CI = 1.0 - 8.0 when one parent was obese; OR = 4.6, 95 % CI = 1.1 - 20.0 when both parents were obese; n = 103). The study confirmed familial BMI aggregation. The consistent obesity relationship between mother and offspring may indicate the key role of the mother in primary obesity prevention.
Department of Public Health and General Practice, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland. ricardo.fuentes@messi.uku.fi
R M
RM
Fuentes
I-L
IL
Notkola
S
S
Shemeikka
J
J
Tuomilehto
A
A
Nissinen
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004777:Environment; D005190:Family; D005220:Fathers; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D011153:Population; D012424:Rural Population; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires