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.
