Background This study aimed to investigate the effect of neighborhood socioeconomic context on overweight or obesity (OWO) at 2 years old among very preterm-born children. Methods Children born with GA < 33 weeks and who received follow-up care in a French regional medical network were included. Multivariable regression logistic analysis was used to evaluate the association between neighborhoods disadvantage (ecological socioeconomic disadvantage index) and OWO (BMI WHO growth charts). Results The study included 1856 children with a mean (SD) gestational age and birth weight of 29 (2.2) weeks and 1316 (416) g, respectively; 14% of children had OWO at 2 years of age. Compared to children non-OWO, children with OWO had higher birth weight z-score (median (IQR), 0.23 (-0.22; 0.78) vs -0,16 (-0.77; 0.34); p < 0.001) and were more likely to live in disadvantage areas (42.8% vs 35.3%, p = 0.004). After regression analysis, children from disadvantaged neighborhoods had higher odds of being OWO with adjusted odds ratio (aOR) (95% CI) of 1.57 (1.10–2.23; p = 0.01). Conclusions Disadvantaged neighborhood is associated to the risk of being OWO at 2 years of age in very preterm-born children. Preventive interventions should be considered to reduce health disparities. Impact <UnorderedList Mark="Bullet"> <ItemContent> The socioeconomic context is known to influence the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the general pediatric population. Nevertheless, research into its impact on a population of children born premature remains limited. </ItemContent> <ItemContent> In this study, children born prematurely with a gestational age of less than 33 weeks and living in socioeconomically deprived neighborhoods were at high risk of being overweight or obesity at two years of age. </ItemContent> <ItemContent> In practice, growth parameters should be carefully monitored following discharge from neonatal units, especially in infants from low socio-economic context, in order to detect overweight and implement early preventive strategies. </ItemContent> </UnorderedList>

Neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage and early overweight of very preterm-born children: a cohort study in France

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2026年4月21日

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Julia Bastos Reinaldo,
Mohamed Boucekine,
Laurence Fayol,
Sahra Meziane,
Patricia Garcia,
Farid Boubred

摘要

Background

This study aimed to investigate the effect of neighborhood socioeconomic context on overweight or obesity (OWO) at 2 years old among very preterm-born children.

Methods

Children born with GA < 33 weeks and who received follow-up care in a French regional medical network were included. Multivariable regression logistic analysis was used to evaluate the association between neighborhoods disadvantage (ecological socioeconomic disadvantage index) and OWO (BMI WHO growth charts).

Results

The study included 1856 children with a mean (SD) gestational age and birth weight of 29 (2.2) weeks and 1316 (416) g, respectively; 14% of children had OWO at 2 years of age. Compared to children non-OWO, children with OWO had higher birth weight z-score (median (IQR), 0.23 (-0.22; 0.78) vs -0,16 (-0.77; 0.34); p < 0.001) and were more likely to live in disadvantage areas (42.8% vs 35.3%, p = 0.004). After regression analysis, children from disadvantaged neighborhoods had higher odds of being OWO with adjusted odds ratio (aOR) (95% CI) of 1.57 (1.10–2.23; p = 0.01).

Conclusions

Disadvantaged neighborhood is associated to the risk of being OWO at 2 years of age in very preterm-born children. Preventive interventions should be considered to reduce health disparities.

Impact

The socioeconomic context is known to influence the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the general pediatric population. Nevertheless, research into its impact on a population of children born premature remains limited.

In this study, children born prematurely with a gestational age of less than 33 weeks and living in socioeconomically deprived neighborhoods were at high risk of being overweight or obesity at two years of age.

In practice, growth parameters should be carefully monitored following discharge from neonatal units, especially in infants from low socio-economic context, in order to detect overweight and implement early preventive strategies.