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American Public Health Association
133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition
December 10-14, 2005
Philadelphia, PA
 APHA 2005
 
5121.0: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 1:10 PM

Abstract #109238

Initiation of non-parental child care and the risk of overweight among infants aged 9-11 months

Juhee Kim, ScD, Public Health Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave., Bldg III-R616, Boston, MA 02115, 617 432 6466, juheekim@hsph.harvard.edu and Karen E. Peterson, ScD, RD, Departments of Nutrition and of Society, Human Development and Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Harvard Prevention Research Center, 677 Huntington Avenue, III-617, Boston, MA 02115.

Objectives: To assess whether age at initiation of non-parental child care is associated with overweight among infants aged 9-11 months. Methods: We used data from a nationally representative sample of infants born in 2001 enrolled in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth (ECLS-B) cohort (measured at 9-11 mo, n=6,664). Trained interviewers measured weight and length using standard protocols and administered an interview survey to the primary caregiver (99% biological mother) at a home visit in order to assess child care arrangements and other variables. The odds of overweight (Weight-for-Length Ан95th percentile, 2000 growth charts) were estimated using multivariate logistic regression adjusting for covariates of infant age, sex, race, birth weight and breastfeeding duration and household SES. Results: About 55% of infants received regular child care from persons other than their parents. Of those in child care at age 9-11 months, 39% began < 3 months of age, 40% between 3 and 5.9 months, and 21% Ан 6 months. The prevalence of overweight was 15.7%, 18.9%, and 15.7%, respectively, and 15.1% among infants not in child care arrangements. The odds of overweight were 1.31 (95% CI 1.02-1.68) among those entering child care between 3 and 6 months, compared with those without child care arrangements. Conclusions: Age at initiating non-parental child care is associated with the development of overweight during infancy and further warrants longer follow-up to determine subsequent risk in early childhood.

Learning Objectives:

  • At the conclusion of the session, participants in this session will have learned

    Keywords: Child Care, Obesity

    Presenting author's disclosure statement:

    I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

    Evidence-based Models of Child Care Health Consultant Programs for the Prevention of Asthma, Child Maltreatment and Obesity

    The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA