Abstract
This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between behaviors (physical activity and eating patterns) and socioeconomic and built factors that affect childhood obesity. A sample of 171 participants were selected from three elementary schools in Montclair, California. Family SES and health information about the students were gathered. The number of parks, fast food restaurants, and grocery stores within school district border lines were tallied, and data was analyzed using logistic regression. Lower income was associated with 2.11 times higher odds of consuming fast food, and 3.06 times higher odds of consuming soda. Feeling unsafe in the neighborhood was associated with 2.57 times higher odds of consuming fast food. Children whose parents had some college education were 3.23 times more likely to consume milk, 2.97 times more likely to consume vegetables, and 2.29 times more likely to engage in physical activity than parents with no more than high school education. Children engaging in physical activity were 69% less likely to be obese. Parent income, parent education, and concern for neighborhood safety affected the eating habits and physical activity level of children in Montclair. Increased fast food consumption and decreased physical activity were associated with higher BMI percentiles among this population.
Highlights
Obesity in childhood is a worldwide public health problem (Chung et al, 2014) and a major risk factor for health complications previously only diagnosed in adults (De Onis et al, 2010; Rao et al, 2016)
A total of 194 students responded to the consent and survey forms that were distributed to grades 1-5 in the 3 schools randomly selected in Montclair
Children residing in lower socioeconomic status (SES) families and with access to poorer food environments tend to acquire poorer eating behaviors and engage in lower physical activity levels (Li et al, 2015)
Summary
Obesity in childhood is a worldwide public health problem (Chung et al, 2014) and a major risk factor for health complications previously only diagnosed in adults (De Onis et al, 2010; Rao et al, 2016). From the 1980s, the prevalence of childhood obesity increased alarmingly (Misqueleiz et al, 2017). Recent evidence suggests that in the 21st-century obesity in children may have plateaued in developed countries (Chung et al, 2014; Rao et al, 2016; Misqueleiz et al, 2017; Foster et al, 2017). The increasing prevalence in developing nations and the sustained high rates in the developed world (Katz, 2014) highlights the need to understand the correlates associated with childhood obesity.
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