Ethnic disparity in body mass index among 5 to 8 year old children in Hawaii

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine disparity in overweight and obesity among children of Asian and Pacific Islander ethnic groups in Hawaii, including the Native Hawaiian‐Asian mixed ethnic group, as compared to White populations in the same Hawaii environment. The study utilizes a cross‐sectional study design and electronic medical record data from Kaiser Permanente Hawaii (KPHI). The sample includes 4608 children, 5 to 8 years old, with a parent who is a member of KPHI health plan. Overall prevalence of overweight plus obesity was 30% (13% overweight, 17% obese). In a mixed regression model, age (positive), female sex (negative), education level of the residential neighborhood (negative) and ethnic group were significantly associated with child body mass index, BMI (kg/m2). Mean BMI (adjusted for all covariates mentioned above) was higher among Pacific Islanders (18.0 + 0.13 kg/m2), Hawaiians (17.3 + 0.14 kg/m2), and Hawaiian‐Asian mixed ethnicity (17.0 + 0.10 kg/m2) as compared to Asian (16.3 + 0.12 g/m2) or White (16.2 + 0.10 kg/m2) (p = 0.0001). USDA/NIFA Award 2008‐55215‐18821