Association between Maternal Education and School-Age Children Weight Status: A Study from the China Health Nutrition Survey, 2011

Childhood abnormal weight status is a global public health issue. This study aims to explore the association between maternal education and weight status of school-age children using the data from the China Health Nutrition Survey (CHNS), wave 2011. Body Mass Index (BMI) is calculated based on children’s weight and height and is divided into three levels (normal, underweight, overweight/obesity). Logistic regression is used to assess the relationship of maternal education and children weight status. The prevalence of childhood underweight and overweight/obesity are 5.9% and 21.7%, respectively. Children with high maternal education are found less likely to be underweight (technical college: Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.223, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 0.052–0.956, above college: OR = 0.182, 95% CI = 0.041–0.812). Children with maternal education at junior high school are of 2.170 greater odds to be overweight/obese than those with maternal education at junior high school and below (OR = 2.170, 95% CI = 1.398–3.370), and children with maternal education at technical college are of 2.397 greater odds to be overweight/obese than those with lower education level (OR = 2.397, 95% CI = 1.478–3.887), and children with maternal education at above college are of 2.146 greater odds to be overweight/obese than those with lower education level (OR = 2.146, 95% CI = 1.293–3.560). A significant association between maternal education and children’s weight status is found. Targeted interventions for mothers with different education levels should be carried out to effectively manage the children’s weight status.