1. Maternal Factors of Childhood Obesity
Zach Carwile
DePaul University
Background
Results
Nursing Implications
In recent years, the world has seen a dramatic increase in childhood obesity. It has been well documented that early childhood obesity predisposes children to being at risk for numerous comorbidities associated with obesity. Although evidence exists that relates activity levels and eating patterns, there is little research regarding the specific maternal factors that play a role in childhood obesity. It is believed that providing a concise document regarding such factors could prove to be a pivotal component of reducing the percent of overweight or obese children.
In any care setting, it is important to keep patients informed and educated about both the care being received, as well as the care that the individual should be proving for themselves. One of the reasons this topic has such potential to provide a positive impact in the nursing world, is that it would provide a stronger foundation for the principles of teaching.
As health care continues to expand and become more complex, the emphasis on evidence-based practice is at the forefront of all respected institutions. It has become increasingly important to not only provide healthy suggestions and alternative to patients, but also to supplement such teachings with evidence-based practice. Not only does this implement structure, it also provides evidence to support a practitioners cause for concern. By shifting to a focus on evidence-based practice, health care communities are able to achieve a progressive mindset, while also ensure patient safety and best-care practices.
To construct effective data matrices, concepts from Garrard’s, “The Matrix Method” will be used (Garrard, 2014).
Of the studies used for this review, only one deemed the data inconclusive, while all other trials and research did find a statistically significant correlation between maternal factors and childhood obesity
In a study that attempted to create a scale to measure the percentage of risk for children in a school, it was determined that 35% of the students were at risk for childhood obesity (Manios et. Al., 2013).
Maternal BMI was directly linked to childhood obesity and was the strongest correlating factor in a study with p<0.001 (Gibson et. Al, 2016).
it has been shown that exclusive breast feeding significantly reduces the risk for childhood obesity (Uwaezuok & Eneh, & Ndu. (2017).
The holistic facet of maternal factors of childhood obesity such as screen time, exclusive breast feeding, early weaning, maternal BMI, and pregnancy weight throughout the various stages of pregnancy all played a statistically significant role in the outcomes of childhood health and obesity
Discussion
Purpose
The purpose of this integrative literature review is to utilize current literature to determine the maternal factors that contribute to childhood obesity, to ultimately guide mothers’ practices to maintain children of healthy weight. This review will also shed light on the lack of literature that currently exists and will ideally encourage further research.
With a topic such as obesity, there are many factors at play that must be evaluated in their entirety. Although one could argue that average weight parents will likely have average weight babies, there are numerous factors that could alter that outcome and must be considered to ensure a healthy life for a child. With that said, it is often easier to explain direct causality than generalized probability, thus the latter can often prove to be a limitation for patient teaching. Overall, the limitations of this study are not necessarily inhibitory, but rather provide the framework for studies that will become prevalent in the future.
Methods
Conclusion
This integrative literature review provides a detailed evaluation of previous sources and makes an attempt to accurately and efficiently combine the data into one cohesive review of the maternal factors that contribute to childhood obesity.
Search Method
To gain further insight on the maternal factors of childhood obesity, the databases Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and PubMed were used. To enhance the quality and relation of literature to the focused topic, multiple text combinations such as childhood obesity, maternal factors, maternal obesity, large gestational age (LGA), birth weight, and obesity predictors were included. Both CINAHL and PubMed have Boolean modifiers that facilitate inclusion and exclusion criteria for complex phrases such as, “maternal factors AND childhood obesity” or “childhood obesity AND factors.” All data gathered was obtained from sources within the last ten years.
From every major study that was analyzed in this literature review, there were key takeaways relating childhood obesity to maternal factors. From a basic standpoint, the most prevalent factors related to childhood obesity were maternal BMI, maternal nutrition pre-pregnancy, breast feeding and early weaning, enrollment in daycare facilities, and screen time for toddlers. With that said, it seems apparent that both maternal and paternal factors do contribute to childhood obesity. This is not to state that aspects such as genetic characteristics do not have a role in childhood obesity, but rather explains the idea that some factors can be controlled.