Geraldine Moreno-Black1, Jean Stockard2. 1. Department of Anthropology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, 97403, USA. gmorenob@uoregon.edu. 2. Department of Planning, Public Policy and Management, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Research on childhood obesity has examined the prevalence of overweight and obesity during childhood and developmental trajectories. This study focuses on the extent to which Hispanic and non-Hispanic white elementary students differ in prevalence of overweight and obesity by grade level, time, gender, and school setting. It also focuses on comparison of the trajectories in weight status for the Hispanic and non-Hispanic white students. METHODS: BMI values were examined both using standard scores (z-scores) and as categorical variables. Cross-sectional data from 4 years were used to examine prevalence, and panel data across 2-year periods examined trajectories. Descriptive statistics and mixed models, controlling for school setting, were used. RESULTS: Hispanic students began first grade with higher prevalence of obesity and overweight, and the differences were larger in higher grades and later years. The majority of students had stable weight status over the 2-year periods of the trajectory analysis, but Hispanic students began the panel with higher BMI-Z values and were more likely to increase and less likely to decrease BMI-Z. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that the degree of childhood overweight/obesity, especially among Hispanics, is substantial and will likely have profound impacts on adult obesity and other associated health issues in the future. Findings confirm the need for early childhood interventions to influence BMI.
OBJECTIVES: Research on childhood obesity has examined the prevalence of overweight and obesity during childhood and developmental trajectories. This study focuses on the extent to which Hispanic and non-Hispanic white elementary students differ in prevalence of overweight and obesity by grade level, time, gender, and school setting. It also focuses on comparison of the trajectories in weight status for the Hispanic and non-Hispanic white students. METHODS: BMI values were examined both using standard scores (z-scores) and as categorical variables. Cross-sectional data from 4 years were used to examine prevalence, and panel data across 2-year periods examined trajectories. Descriptive statistics and mixed models, controlling for school setting, were used. RESULTS: Hispanic students began first grade with higher prevalence of obesity and overweight, and the differences were larger in higher grades and later years. The majority of students had stable weight status over the 2-year periods of the trajectory analysis, but Hispanic students began the panel with higher BMI-Z values and were more likely to increase and less likely to decrease BMI-Z. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that the degree of childhood overweight/obesity, especially among Hispanics, is substantial and will likely have profound impacts on adult obesity and other associated health issues in the future. Findings confirm the need for early childhood interventions to influence BMI.
Entities:
Keywords:
BMI trajectory; Elementary school children; Ethnic disparities; Prevalence overweight/obesity
Authors: James M Nonnemaker; Antonio A Morgan-Lopez; Joanne M Pais; Eric A Finkelstein Journal: Obesity (Silver Spring) Date: 2009-02-19 Impact factor: 5.002
Authors: Jennette P Moreno; Elizabeth Vaughan; Daphne Hernandez; Ryan T Cameron; John P Foreyt; Craig A Johnston Journal: J Racial Ethn Health Disparities Date: 2015-11-11