Obesity and physical activity in children with early vision problems: a secondary analysis of data from the Growing-Up in Ireland study

Cross-sectional studies have observed an association between obesity and vision problems. However, longitudinal studies are needed in order to understand the direction of the association. We used de-identified data from the Growing Up in Ireland infant cohort. Analyses included 6 621 children with height, weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) measurements at age 9 and age 3 or 5. World Health Organization standards were used to classify BMI as either living with excess weight (BMI ≥ 85th percentile) or living with obesity (BMI ≥ 95th percentile). At age 9, children reported the number of minutes spent in physical exercise and in sedentary activities. Mean differences in BMI and activity times were assessed using t-tests and multiple linear regression. Differences in the incidence of gaining excess weight were assessed using multiple logistic regression after excluding children with high BMIs at age 5. The primary caregiver of 752 (11.4%) children reported that their child had a sight problem at either age 3 or 5. Average BMI increased more in these children than in children without such problems (adjusted mean difference 0.23, 95% CI 0.01,0.45). Among children who had a BMI of less than the 85th percentile at age 5, those reported to have early vision problems had 40% higher odds of having a high BMI at age 9 (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.04, 1.85) than those without problems. Children who have vision problems early in their lives are at greater risk of gaining weight.