Investigating the association between parental educational status and offspring obesity risk using the Japan Environment and Children's Study

• DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.70019
• Publication Date: 2025-05-07T05:40:05Z
• Authors: Masahiro Noda; Satomi Yoshida; Tetsuya Tsuchida; Masato Takeuchi; Chihiro Kawakami; Koji Kawakami; Shuichi Ito

Summary Background Previous studies have demonstrated an inverse relationship between socioeconomic status and childhood obesity in affluent nations, with parental education as a key factor. However, the meaning of indicators may vary by race country, research on this topic Asian countries is limited. Objectives We investigated association parents' educational Japan. Methods utilized data from Japan's birth cohort, recruiting participants 2011 to 2014, included 49 564 children. Parental was categorized into four groups: both parents lower (LM‐LF), mothers higher fathers (HM‐LF), (LM‐HF), (HM‐HF). Multivariable logistic regression analyzed overweight/obesity among 4‐year‐old Results Of participants, 17.9%, 16.9%, 16.2% 15.4% were overweight/obese; 5.5%, 4.6%, 4.4% 3.8% obese LM‐LF, HM‐LF, LM‐HF HM‐HF groups, respectively. When reference group defined children born HM‐HF, adjusted odds ratios for HM‐LF 1.13 (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.06–1.21), 1.08 CI: 1.01–1.15) 1.03 0.95–1.12); those 1.34 1.20–1.50), 1.16 1.04–1.31) 1.11 0.96–1.28), Conclusions Lower associated Public policies might target prevent obesity.