title: Risk factors for childhood overweight: a 30-month longitudinal study of 3- to 6-year-old children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The increasing prevalence of childhood overweight is an important health issue. There is a need for longitudinal research among children in order to identify risk factors for childhood overweight. The objective of the present research was to identify potential sociodemographic and behavioural risk factors for development of childhood overweight among 3- to 6-year-old children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Longitudinal study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen pre-primary and primary schools.
  
  
  METHODS
  BMI Z-scores at baseline and two follow-up measurements were calculated for 568 children. Sociodemographic, parental adiposity, familial composition, child's diet, physical activity and sedentary behavioural data were collected through questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Several risk factors for the development of childhood overweight were found. Being an only child, lower maternal educational level, maternal and paternal overweight, more than 1 h screen time on weekdays and high soft drinks consumption were shown to be positively associated with the development of childhood overweight.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although behavioural factors are important, our findings support the thesis that interventions on the prevention of childhood overweight should focus on high-risk groups, i.e. children from low socio-economic background or with high parental BMI. Interventions should address the whole family and take into account their lifestyle and structure.
authors.affiliation: 1Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences,Department of Public Health,Ghent University,De Pintelaan 185,B-9000 Ghent,Belgium.
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: De Coen
authors.affiliation: 2Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences,Department of Movement and Sport Sciences,Ghent University,Ghent,Belgium.
authors.forename: Ilse
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: De Bourdeaudhuij
authors.affiliation: 2Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences,Department of Movement and Sport Sciences,Ghent University,Ghent,Belgium.
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Verbestel
authors.affiliation: 1Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences,Department of Public Health,Ghent University,De Pintelaan 185,B-9000 Ghent,Belgium.
authors.forename: Lea
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Maes
authors.affiliation: 1Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences,Department of Public Health,Ghent University,De Pintelaan 185,B-9000 Ghent,Belgium.
authors.forename: Carine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vereecken
mesh_terms: D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002253:Carbonated Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004522:Educational Status; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education; D050177:Overweight / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012574:Schools; D012578:Schools, Nursery; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors