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American Public Health Association
133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition
December 10-14, 2005
Philadelphia, PA
 APHA 2005
 
3072.3: Monday, December 12, 2005 - Board 7

Abstract #117206

Urban rural differences in body mass index and overweight among a representative sample of Texas public school children

Steven H. Kelder, PhD, MPH, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, 7000 Fannin, Suite 2658, Houston, TX 77030, 713-500-9636, Steven.H.Kelder@uth.tmc.edu, Cristina S. Barroso, MPH, Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center School of Public Health, 7000 Fannin, Rm 2610A, Houston, TX 77030, and Deanna M. Hoelscher, PhD, RD, LD, CNS, Human Nutrition Center, University of Texas School of Public Health, 1200 Herman Pressler, RAS W942, Houston, TX 77030.

Although several studies have reported the prevalence of childhood overweight, few urban versus rural comparisons can be found. The purpose of this study is to examine differences in Body Mass Index and child overweight in a multi ethnic probability-based sample in Texas. A questionnaire including ethnicity questions was administered to elementary and secondary-level public school students; heights and weights were measured for calculation of body mass index (BMI). The population-based sample consisted of 15,173 4th, 8th, and 11th grade students; 46.3% girls; 10.8% African-American, 38.4% Hispanic, and 50.8% White/other. Urban and rural were defined by census tract. 20.0% of the total population was overweight (BMI Ан 95th percentile). Among the total sample, rural children were .9 BMI units higher than urban, and rural had a 9.5% greater overweight prevalence (p<.05). Interestingly, African American rural boys were 2.35 BMI units higher than urban, and rural boys had a 26.1% greater overweight prevalence (p<.05). The opposite was true for African American females where rural girls were 2.77 BMI units lower than urban, and rural girls had a 11.8% lower overweight prevalence (p<.05). These data suggest rural children may be at greater risk for obesity, in particular African American boys. Conversely, urban African American girls may be at higher risk than rural counterparts.

Learning Objectives:

  • At the conclusion of the session, the session participant will be able to

    Keywords: Rural Health, Occupational Disease

    Presenting author's disclosure statement:

    I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

    Child Nutrition and Physical Activity At and Away from School

    The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA