Maternal Depression and Childhood Obesity

Project Summary

This project focuses on understanding the links between maternal mental health and the development of childhood obesity. This project also aims to investigate racial/ethnic disparities in childhood obesity to identify the best intervention approaches.

Key Findings

There is a high prevalence rate of overweight and obesity in predominantly low-income minority groups.
Using Growth Based Trajectory Modeling, we found different growth trajectories by racial/ethnic groups, with Latino/a children having the most concerning growth trajectories from birth to age 9.
Ethnic/racial disparities in childhood overweight and obesity start as early as birth.
In a sample of low-income and mostly minority participants, we did not find a long-term association between maternal depression and childhood obesity development.