Food and diet factors associated to child obesity: recommendations for preventing it in children under two years of age

Abstract

Several factors leading to obesity have been identified, which start at very early stages of life. Although there are genetic contributors and socioeconomic and racial disparities in the prevalence of overweight and obesity, the problem is universal. Children’s weight has been associated to multiple specific diet factors and these, in turn, are associated to specific “parent feeding practices” (PAPP, Spanish abbreviation). Parents or caretakers determine patterns that are set at an early stage in life, and the weight before the first two years of age already predicts future overweight and obesity. Absence of breastfeeding and low food quality, consumption patterns and food preferences in the first two years of life are highly associated to PAPP and can, therefore, be modified. In this article, we will examine the diet factors and the diet-related practices that have been associated to child obesity, and are potentially modifiable, so that they can be used as a potential guide for intervention goals in the prevention of child obesity.