The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #48723

Jennifer A. Nelson, MPH¹, Mary Ann Chiasson, DrPH¹, and Viola Ford, MSW, CSW². (1) Research and Evaluation Unit, Medical and Health Research Association of New York City, 40 Worth Street, Suite 720, New York, NY 10013, 212-285-0220, jnelson@mhra.org, (2) NYC Neighborhood WIC Program, 40 Worth Street, Suite 728, New York, NY 10013

In order to determine the prevalence of obesity in a population of low-income, racially and ethnically diverse young children enrolled in a New York City WIC program, information from all families enrolling or recertifying (continuing enrollment) during one week was collected using a brief questionnaire and data from certification forms. The resulting sample, from 18 WIC sites, was composed of 1255 families, including 557 children aged 2, 3, and 4. For these children, body mass index (BMI) was calculated and compared to the CDC BMI-for-age reference percentiles. A full 40% were overweight or at risk of overweight: 22% had a BMI >=95th percentile and 18% had a BMI >=85th and <95th percentile. Two-year-old children were significantly less likely to be overweight than 3- or 4-year-old children (p=0.04): whereas 14% of 2-year-old children were overweight, over 25% of 3- and 4-year old children were overweight. Furthermore, while only 8% of children aged 24-29 months were overweight, 19% of children aged 30-35 months were overweight. Not only are a large number of children overweight, but children are becoming overweight at a very young age. This has important implications for the design of interventions. Additional analyses with practical applications revealed that 73% of the children resided in families where whole milk was drunk by children aged 2 and older; of those whole-milk drinking families, only 30% had tried low fat milk. Only 8% drank 1% or fat free milk, and only 56% ate fruit or vegetables at least once a day.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to identify at least 3 considerations for the prevention of childhood obesity.

Keywords: Obesity, WIC

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: MHRA, my employer, administers the funds for the NYC Neighborhood WIC Program.