Parenthood linked to new onset overweight or obesity among Chilean adolescents.

Objective: To determine whether early parenthood is associated with the onset of overweight/obesity during adolescence.

Methods: Weight status changes between ages 16 and 21 years were measured in 270 Chilean youths. Parenthood by age 21 was assessed by interview.

Results: Sixty-three youths became overweight/obese between ages 16 and 21 years (23%), and 24% (n=65) of the total sample were parents by age 21. Bearing a child by age 21 was associated with a two-fold risk of becoming newly overweight or obese (OR=2.6, CI: 1.1, 5.9, p<0.05). Earlier internalizing problems were also associated with the development of overweight/obesity in young mothers.

Conclusions: Weight status changes from normal to overweight or obese were more likely to occur among young parents than non-parents. This has implications for adolescents' future health given their likelihood of having subsequent pregnancies and the known risks of increased weight at each pregnancy.