Abstract
Prevalence of childhood obesity and its complications have increased world-wide. Parental status may be associated with children’s health outcomes including their eating habits, body weight and blood cholesterol. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for the years 1988–1994, provided a unique opportunity for matching parents to children enabling analyses of joint demographics, racial differences and health indicators. Specifically, the NHANES III data, 1988–1994, of 219 households with single-parents and 780 dual-parent households were analyzed as predictors for primary outcome variables of children’s Body Mass Index (BMI), dietary nutrient intakes and blood cholesterol. Children of single-parent households were significantly (p < 0.01) more overweight than children of dual-parent households. Total calorie and saturated fatty acid intakes were higher among children of single-parent households than dual-parent households (p < 0.05). On average, Black children were more overweight (p < 0.04) than children of other races. The study results implied a strong relationship between single-parent status and excess weight in children. Further studies are needed to explore the dynamics of single-parent households and its influence on childhood diet and obesity. Parental involvement in the development of school- and community-based obesity prevention programs are suggested for effective health initiatives. Economic constraints and cultural preferences may be communicated directly by family involvement in these much needed public health programs.
Highlights
According to the 2003–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) the percentage of overweight children increased from 6.5% in 1980 to 17.1% in 2004, placing childhood obesity as one of the major lifestyle concerns of the United States [1,2]
Our results indicate a positive relationship between single-parent status and excess weight in children
There were racial differences in body weight (Black children had higher Body Mass Index (BMI) than White children); low family income was not significantly associated with children being overweight in a single-parent to dual parent household-comparison
Summary
According to the 2003–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) the percentage of overweight children increased from 6.5% in 1980 to 17.1% in 2004, placing childhood obesity as one of the major lifestyle concerns of the United States [1,2]. In addition to increasing the risk of obesity in adulthood, childhood overweight is the leading cause of pediatric hypertension and is associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus [5]. Obesity increases the risk of coronary heart disease, places extra stress on the weight-bearing joints, and is associated with high incidence of liver disease and asthma [6]. Besides these physical effects, being overweight may have deleterious psychological effects on children such as: lowering self-esteem; affecting relationships with peers; and, causing social problems [7]
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