Socioeconomic disadvantage and childhood growth: A review of the literature focusing on the mediatory roles of birth weight, maternal age and parity

In this paper we review the literature on the relationship between maternal social disadvantage and childhood growth. We focus particularly on the potential mediatory roles played by birth weight, maternal age, and parity, and on studies of UK populations. We find convincing evidence of social inequalities of growth, both in terms of stature (height) and adiposity/overweight. Maternal age, parity and, particularly, birth weight are plausible mediators of the association between socioeconomic disadvantage and growth due to the acknowledged relationships between each of these factors. However, few studies have considered such mediation explicitly. Further work is required in this area.