Parent-Offspring Associations in Body Composition: Findings From the Southampton Women's Survey Prospective Cohort Study
Authors' conclusion
A strong association between the fat mass of mothers and their daughters but not their sons was observed. In contrast, father-offspring body composition associations were not evident. The dimorphic parent-offspring effects suggest particular attention should be given to early prevention of unfavorable body composition in girls born to mothers with excess adiposity.
Study context
- Population
- Mother-father-offspring trios from UK population-based pre-birth cohort (Southampton Women's Survey); DXA whole-body-less-head body composition in offspring at 4, 6–7 and 8–9 years and in parents at the 8- to 9-year visit
- Participants
- 240 mother-father-offspring trios
- Exposure
- Mother-offspring vs father-offspring associations in body composition
- Outcome
- Mother-daughter associations in BMI and fat mass (linear regression adjusted for the other parent)
Methodological detailspopulation-based, pre-birth cohort
- Population-based
- Pre-birth cohort
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Mother-daughter body mass index (BMI), age 6 to 7 years: β (SD/SD), 95% CI .10, .48
.29
Mother-daughter fat mass, age 6 to 7 years: β (SD/SD), 95% CI .05, .48
.27
Mother-daughter BMI, age 8 to 9 years: β (SD/SD), 95% CI .13, .54
.33
Mother-daughter fat mass, age 8 to 9 years: β (SD/SD), 95% CI .12, .49
.31
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
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