EQUI-START – Early social inequalities related to obesity in France: from observation to public health action
In a context of increasing poverty and food insecurity, the EQUI-START research program, led by Sandrine Lioret (OPPaLE team), is structured around two complementary objectives to be carried out over three years, starting in 2025.
The first objective builds on a previous population-based analysis (ELFE cohort), which revealed that different dimensions of parental socioeconomic position (education level, occupation, income) were inversely associated with the risk of overweight at age 3.5; children of immigrant parents were also at higher risk (Le Gal et al., 2024; doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-48431-8). We aim to better understand the mechanisms underlying the development of such social inequalities in early childhood overweight. Specifically, we will assess to what extent children’s energy balance–related behaviors during the first two years of life explain the inverse social gradient of overweight from age 3.5 onward, while also considering social determinants holistically.
The second objective is to complete the ECAIL randomized controlled trial (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03003117), designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a childhood obesity prevention program implemented during the first 1,000 days of life among socially vulnerable families. This is the Malin program, which combines family support from pregnancy (promotion of breastfeeding, tips for healthier eating, more active lifestyles, and reduced screen exposure) with a structural component (discounted fresh fruit/vegetable baskets, kitchen utensils/small appliances, and vouchers for healthy food). A detailed process evaluation—at the intersection of epidemiology and social sciences—will help strengthen the Malin program, which, since its launch 10 years ago, has already reached 250,000 young children. Ultimately, the Malin association aims to support more than 300,000 children and disadvantaged families in France.
Funding of the EQUI-START project : AXA Foundation for Human Progress
Parole de lauréat : Sandrine Lioret – Fonds AXA pour le progrès humain
By Sandrine LIORET
