Objective: To assess relations between parental socioeconomic status (SES) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and obesity of children by sex in Korea population.
Method: This study was based on the data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted by the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare from 2007 to 2017. Data of 28747 participants (6605 children, 4969 fathers, and 6387 mothers) were analyzed. The SES was assessed with household income level and education level. The household income level was categorized into three groups: high, middle, and low. The education level was categorized into two groups: graduated post-secondary school or not. The prevalence of IFG was defined as >=100 fasting blood sugar. The prevalence of obesity was defined with the Korean Pediatrics Growth Chart from 2017. The relationship of SES to the risk of IFG and obesity was assessed with multivariate logistic regression analysis.
Result: In female children participants, a higher risk of IFG was associated with 1) low household income level (OR: 2.874, 95% CI:1.315, 6.279) and 2) low education level of mother (OR: 1.923, 95% CI: 1.062, 3.744), while the risk was not associated with low education level of father (OR: 1.395, 95% CI: 0.893, 2.18). Risk of obesity of female children was also associated with these two factors: low household income level (OR: 2.262, 95% CI: 1.182, 4.328) and education level of mother (OR: 1.484, 95% CI: 1.081, 2.036). Unlike female, in male children participants, risk of IFG and obesity was not associated with either factors.
Conclusions: For girls, low household income and low mothers’ education level may increase the incidence of IFG and obesity while boys are not affected by either factors. These differences should be considered when raising children and managing risk of diabetes and obesity of children to ultimately prevent risk of diabetes.
S. Lee: None. K. Han: None.
