Sosiodemografisten tekijöiden yhteydet 3- ja 4-vuotiaiden lasten painoindeksiin ja vyötärö-pituussuhteeseen

Childhood overweight and obesity are major public health concerns. We examined the associations between sociodemographic factors, including urban-rural differences, and adiposity indicators in 3–4-year-old children. The SUNRISE Finland study included 1,081 children from five cities (57%) and adjacent rural areas (43%), and their 1,485 caregivers. Children’s height, weight, and waist circumference were measured, from which overweight (ISO-BMI category overweight including obesity) and central obesity (waist-to-height ratio ≥85th percentile) were calculated. Caregivers completed questionnaires on sociodemographic factors. Rural residence was associated with higher likelihood of overweight and central obesity. Other sociodemographic factors were differently associated with BMI and waist-to-height ratio. Boys had a higher BMI and likelihood of being overweight, while waist-to-height ratio and likelihood of living with central obesity were higher in girls and lower in older children. Maternal sociodemographic factors were more often associated with child adiposity indicators than paternal ones. Middle-level income, assets, and education, small household size, and home ownership were associated with higher adiposity indicators, whereas parental leave, maternal foreign background, being married or cohabiting, and low relative household income were associated with lower adiposity indicators. Sosiodemographic inequalities in overweight are already present in early childhood, highlighting the need for targeted strategies, especially in rural areas.