Family‐based social determinants and child health: Cross‐sectional study

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between urbanization of residential area, parent education level, employment status, overweight/obesity, physical activity, and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), in a sample of healthy Italian school‐age children (5–11 years). Methods A cross‐sectional study was conducted on 432 children resident, respectively, in a highly urban and in a rural area (Latium Region) in 2014. Information on children and families were obtained via questionnaire. Results One‐third of children were overweight or obese, 15% did not participate in any sport outside school, and more than one‐third were exposed to ETS in the domestic environment. Living in a rural area (adjusted OR, 2.55; 95%CI: 1.18–5.52) and lower maternal education (adjusted OR, 2.32; 95%CI: 1.03–5.27) were significant predictors of overweight/obese status. Moreover, lower maternal education level (adjusted OR, 2.74; 95%CI: 1.40–5.33) and paternal education level (adjusted OR, 3.06; 95%CI: 1.54–6.07) were significant predictors of ETS exposure. Conclusions It is essential to investigate the reasons underlying the higher frequency of overweight/obesity in children living in rural environments compared with those in urban areas; and preventative actions should be designed to be easily understood by those with lower education levels.