Factors impacting Latino child dietary health behavior and obesity

Understanding the role of parents and other adult figures in the development of childhood overweight is critical at a time when pediatric obesity has reached epidemic proportions. Childhood obesity can result in numerous adverse health consequences including early onset of Type 2 Diabetes. Latino children have among the highest obesity rates in comparison to their white counterparts (CDC, 2005). Sociocultural factors may place children at an elevated risk for becoming overweight and obese as early as the preschool years. Maternal perceptions about weight, diet and health influence child feeding methods and dietary intake. Among Latinos, culturally-rooted beliefs and family social support with child feeding may have positive and negative effects on child health behavior. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 100 Latinas with preschool aged children to understand the influence of family support with child feeding, family composition, and household characteristics on child feeding practices, dietary intake and overweight/obesity. Analyses revealed that grandparents, fathers and older siblings provided much of the support with child feeding. Mothers who received support from family members were more likely to promote child health by teaching about nutrition. However, social support also increased practices that promoted the consumption of energy-dense snacks, sweetened beverages and juices; and, increased the likelihood for child obesity (OR: 2.01; CI: 1.12, 3.62). Conversely, children who had a healthy food environment at home consumed fewer sweets, less soda and more fruits. Participant-led solutions are discussed as a premise for developing health promoting educational programming on early childhood obesity prevention among Latinos.