Recorded presentation

Jessica M. Robbins, PhD, Einstein Center for Urban Health Policy and Research, Germantown Community Health Services, One Penn Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19144, (215) 951-8137, jessica.robbins@phila.gov and Elizabeth B. Rappaport, MD, Nemours Cardiac Center, A. I. duPont Hospital for Children, 1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE 19803.

Background: Rapid increases in the prevalence of overweight in children have prompted public health efforts to develop prevention and treatment programs. Timely, local data is required to design and target such programs. We sought to estimate the prevalence of overweight and risk for overweight and to identify socioeconomic and demographic disparities among children in Philadelphia and four neighboring counties. Methods: A biannual telephone survey that collected parental reports of children’s age, sex, height, and weight. Results: 25% of 2925 children age 2 to 17 year were overweight; an additional 13% were at risk for overweight. Prevalences were higher among younger children than among older children and adolescents. African-American and Hispanic children had higher prevalences than non-Hispanic white children. Childhood overweight was positively associated with household poverty and with lower educational status and higher BMI in the adult survey respondents. Conclusions: Although telephone surveys have important limitations, they can provide timely, specific data on the prevalence of major health problems at reasonable cost. The observed inverse relationship between age and the prevalence of overweight among Southeastern Pennsylvania children and adolescents differs from previous reports of the prevalence of overweight in samples of US children and adolescents. The high prevalence of overweight among 2 to 9-year-old children should focus our attention on improving nutrition and increasing opportunities for physical activity and exercise among preschool and early school-age children, especially among the racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups at highest risk.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to

(
• Describe the prevalence of overweight and risk of overweight among children in Southeastern Pennsylvania, and the factors associated with increased prevalence; (
• Identify the strengths and limitations of telephone surveys for assessing child overweight at the population level; (
• Evaluate the utility of these methods for program planning in their communities.

Keywords: Child Health, Obesity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Philadelphia Health Management Corporation (conduct Southeastern Pennsylvania Household Health Survey)
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation