Child and parent characteristics as predictors of change in girls' body mass index

Objective: This study assessed predictors of change in girls' body mass ind ex (BMI) between ages 5 and 7y and familial aggregation of risk factors ass ociated with childhood overweight. Method: Participants included 197 5-y-old girls and their parents, of whom 192 were reassessed when girls were 7-y-old. Three classes of predictors of girls' change in BMI were assessed including girls' and parents' weight st atus, dietary intake and physical activity. Girls' and parents' BMI and cha nge in BMI were calculated based on height and weight measurements. Girls' dietary intake was assessed using three 24 h recalls; parents' intake was a ssessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Girls and mothers provided re ports of girls' physical activity; parents' frequency and enjoyment of acti vity were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: The most effective model predicting girls' change in BMI between a ges 5 and 7 included both child and parent characteristics, specifically gi rls' BMI at age 5, mothers' change in BMI, fathers' energy intake, fathers' enjoyment of activity, and girls' percentage of energy from fat. In additi on, results showed substantial intra-familial associations in weight status and dietary intake and to a lesser extent physical activity, and the prese nce of multiple risk factors within families. Associations were also noted between girls' and parents' change in BMI. Conclusions: Results from this study highlight the centrality of the family in the etiology of childhood overweight and the necessity of incorporating parents in the treatment of childhood overweight.