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Susan C Duerksen, BA, MPH(c)1, Elva M. Arredondo, PhD1, Nadia R Campbell, MPH1, Barbara Baquero, BA, MPH(c)1, Guadalupe X. Ayala, PhD, MPH2, and John P Elder, MPH, PhD1. (1) Center for Behavioral and Community Health Studies, San Diego State University, 9245 Sky Park Court, Suite 221, San Diego, CA 92123, 619-594-3146, sduerksen@projects.sdsu.edu, (2) Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of North Carolina School of Public Health, CB #7440, Rosenau Hall 315, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7440
Introduction: Emerging research suggests that environmental factors such as the accessibility of healthy and unhealthy restaurant options contribute to the rising obesity epidemic. Frequency of eating fast food has been linked with higher fat intake in children and with increased weight in adults. This cross-sectional study explores the association between accessibility of fast food and children's BMI in families of varying acculturation levels.
Methods: Data (n= 246) were collected from children enrolled in kindergarten through second grade at five schools in a predominantly Hispanic suburb of San Diego, and from their caregivers. Parents’ acculturation, income, family eating patterns, restaurant choices, child's activity level and child's BMI and skinfold measurements were collected. All restaurants within 2 miles of each school were mapped using GPS.
Results: The mean age of the children was 5.9 years (SD = .9), and mean BMI was 17.4 (SD = 2.9). Three-quarters of the caregivers completed the questionnaires in Spanish. Approximately 42% listed fast food as their family's most frequent choice. Participants who completed the questionnaire in Spanish were less likely (p<.001) to eat fast food once a week or more. Moreover, the reported frequency of eating fast food was not associated with children's BMI.
Discussion: These findings are consistent with previous findings suggesting that greater acculturation leads to less healthy habits for Latinos. The lack of correlation between fast food and BMI seems to contradict previous research, but may be explained by other factors in family dining patterns. Data will be presented on the influence of restaurant density in surrounding neighborhoods. The findings inform future health promotion research into environmental and social influences on obesity.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Food and Nutrition, Obesity
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.