Background: This study is a longitudinal analysis of how the transition of a mother, father, or any other family member to obesity affects the likelihood of children 5-12 years of age becoming adolescents with overweight or obesity during the 7-10-year period between 2002 and the period from 2009 to 2012 in Mexico. Methods: The study used two rounds of the Mexican Family Life Survey, a multipurpose random national survey that collected information on 8441 households, including 38,233 individuals in 2002 and successfully followed up with 3202 children until the period from 2009 to 2012. We used logistic regressions to calculate how family characteristics related to the evolution of body mass indexes among children, controlling for individual, family weight-related characteristics, and the socioeconomic level of the family. Results: The transition of any family member toward obesity is more relevant in determining the transition to obesity among normal-weight children than socioeconomic level of the family and individual characteristics, such as sex, schooling, and occupation. Conclusions: The transition of any family member toward obesity is associated with the transition to obesity among normal-weight children. A family-based approach to obesity prevention has yet to be incorporated into national policies.
Keywords: Mexico; family factors; obesity; transition to obesity.