Grandparents’ wealth and the body mass index trajectories of grandchildren

Abstract

Background The aims of this study are to (i) examine associations between grandparents’ wealth and grandchild’s initial body mass index (BMI) in early childhood and its subsequent growth patterns, and to (ii) assess whether the associations are similar for white and black children. Methods Data are from the U.S. Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) and its supplemental studies of Child Development Supplement (CDS) and Transition to Adulthood (TA) (N = 2,128). Three-level growth curve models are used to analyze the association between exposure to grandparental wealth in early childhood and grandchildren’s BMI growth trajectories, accounting for parental sociodemographic characteristics and maternal BMI levels. Results Children with less grandparental wealth in early childhood have higher initial BMI than children with more grandparental wealth. Further, increases in grandparental wealth in childhood are associated with a slower BMI growth rate. The wealth-body mass index associations are more evident among white children than black children. Conclusions The study reveals a multigenerational social gradient to body mass index. Elevating the wealth levels of the grandparent generation could potentially reduce their grandchildren’s obesity risk. The protective role of grandparental wealth seems to be more evident among white families than black families.