Recorded presentation

Susan A. Holtby, MPH and Elaine G. Zahnd, PhD. Senior Research Scientist, Public Health Institute, 210 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, 831-427-4980, sholtby@cruzio.com

Findings from the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS 2001) show that 11% of adolescents ages 12-17 in California are either overweight or obese. This is more than twice the Healthy People 2010 objective that not more than 5% be overweight. With a sample of 5,801 adolescents and their parents, CHIS 2001 provides population-based data on key factors associated with obesity risk among teens: diet, physical activity, sedentary behavior, parent's diet and nutrition, parent's physical activity levels, and parent's body mass index (BMI). In addition to behavioral measures associated with overweight and obesity, multi-variate analyses indicate that race, household income, parent's education level, and parent's immigration status contribute to explaining differences between adolescents who are overweight and those who are not. Understanding these contributing factors is essential to creating public health messages that speak to adolescents and their parents. The CHIS 2001 adolescent sample of 5,801 is a subsample of 55,428 household interviews. One adult age 18 and older was randomly selected within each household, and respondent adults who are the parents or guardians of adolescents in the household gave permission for a selected teen to be interviewed. The sample is weighted to the 2000 Census, and is representative of California's diverse populaltion.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand behavioral and demographic factors that put adolescents at risk for obesity.
• Understand parental factors associated with teens' obesity risk.
• Identify groups with the greatest need for obesity prevention efforts.
• Learn about the California Health Interview Survey, the nation's largest population-based heatlh survey.

Keywords: Adolescents, Obesity

Related Web page: www.chis.ucla.edu

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.

Recorded presentation