Sex-specific Effects of Parental Separation on Obesity in Children: Findings from a Nationally Representative Balanced Panel Study

Objectives: Despite the global rise in child obesity and parental divorce rates, the relationship between these 2 phenomena remains largely unexplored, with most previous studies relying on correlational evidence. In this study, we examine the impact of parental separation on child obesity by sex. Methods: Utilizing balanced panel data from the Korea Children and Youth Panel Survey (2011-2016, N=4,288 for each wave), we traced how the weight and BMI of children originally living with both parents changed following parental separation. Results: The transition from living with both parents to a single parent increased weight, BMI, and BMI percentile among boys by 1.11kg (p-value: .03), .44 (p-value: 0.02), and 4.91 percentile points (p-value: .02), respectively, while no significant changes were observed for girls. Conclusion: Whereas restricted to boys, we confirmed that children may experience weight gain following a parental separation. As such, parent education and guidance for their children's health are crucial to prevent childhood obesity, especially in the aftermath of a parental separation.