Perinatal, sociodemographic and lifestyle correlates of increased total and visceral fat mass levels in schoolchildren in Greece: the Healthy Growth Study.
To identify possibly independent associations of perinatal, sociodemographic and lifestyle factors with childhood total and visceral body fat.



A representative sample of 2655 schoolchildren (9-13 years) participated in the Healthy Growth Study, a cross-sectional epidemiological study.



Seventy-seven primary schools in four large regions in Greece.



A sample of 1228 children having full data on total and visceral fat mass levels, as well as on anthropometric, dietary, physical activity, physical examination, socio-economic and perinatal indices, was examined.



Maternal (OR=3·03 and 1·77) and paternal obesity (OR=1·62 and 1·78), maternal smoking during pregnancy (OR=1·72 and 1·93) and rapid infant weight gain (OR=1·42 and 1·96) were significantly and positively associated with children's increased total and visceral fat mass levels, respectively. Children's television watching for >2 h/d (OR=1·40) and maternal pre-pregnancy obesity (OR=2·46) were associated with children's increased total and visceral fat mass level, respectively. Furthermore, increased children's physical activity (OR=0·66 and 0·47) were significantly and negatively associated with children's total and visceral fat mass levels, respectively. Lastly, both father's age >46 years (OR=0·57) and higher maternal educational level (OR=0·45) were associated with children's increased total visceral fat mass level.



Parental sociodemographic characteristics, perinatal indices and pre-adolescent lifestyle behaviours were associated with children's abnormal levels of total and visceral fat mass. Any future programme for childhood prevention either from the perinatal age or at late childhood should take these indices into consideration.
1Department of Nutrition and Dietetics,School of Health Science and Education,Harokopio University of Athens,70 El Venizelou Avenue,17671 Kallithea,Athens,Greece.
George
G
Moschonis
1Department of Nutrition and Dietetics,School of Health Science and Education,Harokopio University of Athens,70 El Venizelou Avenue,17671 Kallithea,Athens,Greece.
Adriana C
AC
Kaliora
1Department of Nutrition and Dietetics,School of Health Science and Education,Harokopio University of Athens,70 El Venizelou Avenue,17671 Kallithea,Athens,Greece.
Kalliopi
K
Karatzi
1Department of Nutrition and Dietetics,School of Health Science and Education,Harokopio University of Athens,70 El Venizelou Avenue,17671 Kallithea,Athens,Greece.
Aggelos
A
Michaletos
1Department of Nutrition and Dietetics,School of Health Science and Education,Harokopio University of Athens,70 El Venizelou Avenue,17671 Kallithea,Athens,Greece.
Christina-Paulina
CP
Lambrinou
1Department of Nutrition and Dietetics,School of Health Science and Education,Harokopio University of Athens,70 El Venizelou Avenue,17671 Kallithea,Athens,Greece.
Alexandra K
AK
Karachaliou
3First Department of Pediatrics,Athens University Medical School,Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital,Athens,Greece.
George P
GP
Chrousos
4Clinic of Social and Family Medicine,School of Medicine,University of Crete,Heraklion,Crete,Greece.
Christos
C
Lionis
1Department of Nutrition and Dietetics,School of Health Science and Education,Harokopio University of Athens,70 El Venizelou Avenue,17671 Kallithea,Athens,Greece.
Yannis
Y
Manios
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000379:methods; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010290:Parents; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014146:Training Support; D015430:Weight Gain
Childhood obesity; Lifestyle markers; Perinatal markers; Sociodemographic markers; Total body fat; Visceral fat