Parent-Offspring Associations in Body Composition: Findings From the Southampton Women's Survey Prospective Cohort Study

Context Children born to parents who are overweight or obese have a high risk of adult obesity, but it is unclear if transgenerational associations relating to unfavorable body composition differ by parent. Objective To examine differential mother-offspring and father-offspring associations in body composition in early childhood. Methods A total of 240 mother-father-offspring trios from a prospective UK population-based pre-birth cohort (Southampton Women's Survey) were included for anthropometry and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry assessment of whole-body-less-head body composition in the offspring at 3 different ages (4, 6-7, and 8-9 years) and in the mother and father at the 8- to 9-year offspring visit. Associations were assessed using linear regression adjusting for the other parent. Results Positive associations between mother-daughter body mass index (BMI) and fat mass were observed at ages 6 to 7 (BMI: beta = .29 SD/SD, 95% CI = .10, .48; fat mass beta = .27 SD/SD, 95% CI = .05, .48) and 8 to 9 years (BMI: beta = .33 SD/SD, 95% CI = .13, .54; fat mass beta = .31 SD/SD, 95% CI = .12, .49), with similar associations at age 4 years but bounding the 95% CI. The mother-son, father-son, and father-daughter associations for BMI and fat mass were weaker at each of the ages studied. 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.

Automated summary

This study examines differential mother-offspring and father-offspring associations in body composition in early childhood. The results show a strong association between maternal fat mass and the fat mass of their daughters but not their sons, while there were weaker associations between the body composition of fathers and their children.