Family structure in relation to body mass index and metabolic score in European children and adolescents

BACKGROUND: Living in single parent and blended families or as an only child—compared to living in two‐parent biological families or with siblings, respectively—is associated with a higher body mass index (BMI) in cross‐sectional studies. However, longitudinal research addressing the children's BMI in this context is scarce. Further, little is known about the association between family structure and metabolic health. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at investigating the association between both aspects of family structure with BMI and a metabolic score (MetS). METHODS: Cross‐sectional data from 7804 children participating in the European multi‐center I.Family study (2013/2014) and longitudinal data from 5621 children who also participated previously in the IDEFICS study (2007–2010) were used. Family structure was assessed by a detailed interview. BMI z‐score and the MetS were based on measured anthropometry, blood pressure, high‐density lipoprotein, blood glucose, and triglycerides. Linear regressions were performed to model associations between family structure with BMI and MetS. RESULTS: Children from single‐parent families had higher BMI z‐scores in the cross‐sectional (β = 0.09, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.001 to 0.18) and longitudinal analyses compared to those from two‐parent families. Cross‐sectionally, the number of siblings was associated with lower BMI z‐scores (β = −0.07, 95% CI: −0.10 to −0.03) and lower MetS (β = −0.14, 95% CI: −0.26 to −0.01). Longitudinally, only children between baseline and follow‐up had higher BMI z‐scores at follow‐up (β = 0.07, 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.14) compared to stable siblings. CONCLUSION: Obesity prevention measures should focus on single‐parent households and families with an only child.