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Jenne` Johns, MPH, Students Run Philly Style Program, National Nursing Centers Consortium, 260 S. Broad Street, 18th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19122, 215-985-2672, jjohns@nncc.us, Brenda F. Seals, PhD, MPH, Research and Evaluation, Battelle Centers for Public Health, 6115 Falls Rd., Suite 200, Baltimore, MD 21209, and Robert Gage, MPH, President, Pennsylvania Public Health Association, 777 East Park Dr., PO Box 8820, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8820.
BACKGROUND: Obesity is a public health crisis plaguing children across the U.S. at alarming rates. Obesity is increasing dramatically especially among children. Currently, 15.3% of children ages 12-19 years old are overweight and over 10% of preschool children (ages 2-5) are overweight. Health conditions associated with obesity among children include Type 2 Diabetes, cardiovascular and cardio respiratory conditions including asthma making obesity a U.S. health priority. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to identify and explain rates of obesity and asthma among Philadelphia children. METHODS: Data collected from the Philadelphia Health Management Corporations South Eastern Pennsylvania Household Health Survey was used to analyze 1998, 2000 and 2002 surveys. An adult proxy responded to the survey for children ages 2-17. Rates of BMI and asthma, socio-demographic characteristics, physical activity and physician recommendations were analyzed using Chi square, Pearson correlations and logistic regression. RESULTS: Obesity and asthma have increased among low income Philadelphia children since 1998.The relationship between these variables will be fully described. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity is under-recognized as an opportunity for prevention from health morbidities in children. These findings underline the need for the pediatric community to discuss and encourage recommendations for weight loss, that will delay onset of obesity into adulthood.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the presentation, the participants will be ale to
Keywords: Obesity, Asthma
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.