Dataset Information

Parental Education Ain't Enough: A Study of Race (Racism), Parental Education, and Children's Thalamus Volume.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The thalamus is the hub of the brain and has a significant role in various brain activities.

Purpose

This study explored racial differences in the association between parental education and thalamus volume among American children.

Methods

Using data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD), we analyzed the structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging (sMRI) data of 11141 9-10 years old children. The main outcome was the left thalamus volume. The independent variable was parental education. Age, sex, ethnicity, family marital status, and intracranial volume were the covariates. Race was the moderator. To analyze the data, we used mixed-effects regression models.

Results

In race-stratified models, high parental education was associated with smaller thalamus volume in White but not Black children. In the pooled sample, significant interactions were found between race and parental education suggesting that the effect of parental education on left thalamus volume is significantly smaller for Blacks and mixed/other race children than White children. We did not find similar findings for the right thalamus volume.

Conclusions

The effect of parental education on children's left thalamus volume seems to be weaker for Black and other/mixed-race children than their White counterparts. This finding is in support of Minorites' Diminished Returns (MDRs) that suggest due to social stratification and racism, economic resources have weaker-than-expected effects for minority than majority populations.

SUBMITTER: Assari S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8297613 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:AimThe increasing body mass index (BMI) often followed by overweight and obesity is a global health problem of the 21st century. Children and adolescents with lower socioeconomic status are more affected than their counterparts. The mechanisms behind these differences must be well understood to develop effective prevention strategies. This analysis aims at examining the association of parental education as an indicator of the socioeconomic status on children's and adolescent's body mass index and the role of behavioral and psychological risk factors for a higher BMI longitudinally.MethodsThe analysis was based on a nationwide sample of N = 460 children and adolescents, aged 11 to 17 at baseline (2009-2012), who took part in the representative BELLA study, the mental health module of the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey among Children and Adolescents (KiGGS). A follow-up was conducted 5 years later. Using mediation analyses, the mediating effects of breakfast consumption, consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, screen time, physical activity, mental health problems (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire), and health-related quality of life (KIDSCREEN-10) on the association of parent's years of education on their children's BMI were investigated.ResultsA lower level of parental education was significantly associated with a higher BMI in children and adolescents 5 years later. The association was partially mediated by breakfast consumption and total screen time, with breakfast consumption mediating 16.7% and total screen time 27.8% of the association. After controlling for age, gender, and migration status, only breakfast consumption remained a partial mediator (8.5%). Other included variables had no mediating effects.ConclusionsPreventive measures should be mainly targeted at children and adolescents of parents with lower educational levels. Tailored strategies to prevent the development of overweight and obesity in this population among children and adolescents should promote daily breakfast consumption at home and reducing screen time.