293572
Childhood obesity in six north Texas counties: Family- and school-based factors
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
: 10:50 a.m. - 11:10 a.m.
Background: Childhood obesity is associated with many short- and long-term health complications. Families and schools each play key roles in childhood obesity prevention. Parents' health-related perceptions and behaviors contribute to childhood obesity . Children spend more time in school than any other environment away from home, giving schools a tremendous opportunity to promote healthy behaviors . Method: The Center for Children's Health of Cook Children's Health Care System in Fort Worth, Texas administered the Community-wide Children's Health Assessment & Planning Surveys (CCHAPS) to six counties in 2008 and 2012. The CCHAPS data was used to examine overweight/obesity in children ages 2 to 15, according to parental report and demographic factors. Associations were examined between overweight/obesity and school-related factors such as physical activity and free/discounted lunch. Associations were also determined between overweight/obesity and home-related factors such as fruit and vegetable consumption, screen time, and family activities. Results: In 2012, 38.6% of children were overweight/obese. Only 22.9% of overweight/obese children's parents were concerned about their child's weight, and 83.8% of overweight/obese children's parents rated their child's health as very good or excellent. Family factors such as fruit and vegetable consumption, screen time, and healthy meals were significantly related to overweight/obesity (p<.05). School factors such as physical activity and free/discounted lunch were significantly related to overweight/obesity (p<.05).
Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Chronic disease management and prevention
Epidemiology
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Program planning
Public health or related research
Learning Objectives:
Define obesity using BMI calculation and percentiles for children and teens.
Describe the distribution of overweight/obesity in children aged 2 to 15 years in the surveyed counties.
List the obesity risk factors that can be effectively addressed in school interventions.
Compare evidence-based interventions, both family-based and school-based, for reducing and preventing childhood obesity.
Keyword(s): Child Health, Obesity
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have worked in public health research for two years as a graduate research assistant under the direction of advisors. I had the opportunity to present at APHA in 2012 in the Psychiatric Epidemiology section. I worked as a research intern in childrens health reseach in my final semester, and I graduated with my MPH in May 2013.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
