Parental marital status significantly influence risk for childhood obesity

Abstract

The effect of parental marital status on childhood obesity was investigated. The study data used was from NHANES III Series I A files collected during 1988–1994. Children (N=1000) between the ages of 6–11 years were studied. Children's data were matched up with parents’ using family sequence numbers. Dietary recall along with age, gender ethnicity/race, height and weight (for BMI calculations) and blood parameters were used to establish relationships between child obesity and parental marital status using SPSS. Results indicated that children from dual parent house holds (DPHH) (N=780) had significantly (P<0.01) lower BMI (19.2±5.4) than single parent house holds (SPHH) (N=219) (21.5±6.5). Greater (P<0.01) percentage of girls (44.2%) and boys (37.4%) from SPHH than DPHH (29.5; 31.7%) had BMI greater than 94%ile. Black children from SPHH had higher (P<0.04) BMI (20.4±2.2) than white (19.2±2.2) and others (18.9±3). Total calorie intake was marginally significant (P<0.06) between SPHH (1910±24) and DPHH (1860±25). Total and saturated fat intakes (g/day) were higher (P<0.05) in SPHH (9.1±6.2; 3.3±1.0) than DPHH (8.6±5.2; 3.2±1.1). LDL (mg/dL) levels were higher (P<0.05) for SPHH (91±1.5) than DPHH (88±1.5). Socio-demographic status of children seems to play an important role in developing obesity at an early age. Behaviors associated with SPHH specifically relating to diet and exercise need further study.