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Non-Linear and Sex-Specific Effect of Maternal Pre-Pregnancy BMI on Emotional and Behavioral Development of Preschool Children: A Population-Based Cohort Study

Author

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  • Jingru Lu

    (Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
    Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
    NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Hefei 230032, China
    Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Hefei 230032, China)

  • Xuemei Hao

    (Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
    Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
    NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Hefei 230032, China
    Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Hefei 230032, China)

  • Linlin Zhu

    (Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
    Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
    NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Hefei 230032, China
    Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Hefei 230032, China)

  • Yufan Guo

    (Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
    Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
    NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Hefei 230032, China
    Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Hefei 230032, China)

  • Xiaoyan Wu

    (Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
    Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
    NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Hefei 230032, China
    Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Hefei 230032, China)

  • Jiahu Hao

    (Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
    Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
    NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Hefei 230032, China
    Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Hefei 230032, China)

  • Fangbiao Tao

    (Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
    Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
    NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Hefei 230032, China
    Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Hefei 230032, China)

  • Kun Huang

    (Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
    Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
    NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Hefei 230032, China
    Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Hefei 230032, China)

Abstract

(1) Background: The aim was to examine the non-linear and sex-specific outcomes of maternal pre-pregnancy BMI on emotional and behavioral development of preschool children; (2) Methods: This study was based on the China-Anhui Birth Cohort (C-ABCS), including 3648 mother–child pairs. Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI was calculated from the maternal pre-pregnancy height and weight measured at the first antenatal checkup. Main caregivers completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) to assess children’s preschool emotional and behavioral development. A restricted cubic spline model was drawn using Stata version 15.1 to analyze the association between maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and preschoolers’ SDQ scores by sex; (3) Results: Among boys, maternal pre-pregnancy underweight was associated with the increased risk of conduct problems and pro-social behaviors, and pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity related with the increased risk of peer problems. Interestingly, when maternal pre-pregnancy BMI was between 18.50 kg/m 2 and 18.67 kg/m 2 , boys had the increased risk of conduct problems. When pre-pregnancy BMI was between 18.50 kg/m 2 and 19.57 kg/m 2 , boys had the increased risk of pro-social problems. No significant associations were observed; (4) Conclusions: A non-linear effect of maternal pre-pregnancy BMI on emotional and behavioral development has been found in preschool boys. In particular, pre-pregnancy normal weight may still affect boys’ emotional and behavioral development.

Suggested Citation

  • Jingru Lu & Xuemei Hao & Linlin Zhu & Yufan Guo & Xiaoyan Wu & Jiahu Hao & Fangbiao Tao & Kun Huang, 2022. "Non-Linear and Sex-Specific Effect of Maternal Pre-Pregnancy BMI on Emotional and Behavioral Development of Preschool Children: A Population-Based Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-21, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:20:p:13414-:d:944895
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