Abstract
Overweight in childhood is a serious public health concern. Approximately 31% of 6-19-year-old children in the United States are obese, overweight or at risk of overweight. The sample (N=721) consisted of students between the ages of 9-14 years of age enrolled in grades 4th-8th in Leon and Gadsden Counties, Florida. Using a multinomial regression model, analyses revealed that students with increased perceived self-efficacy were approximately 1.4 times more likely to be overweight than their counterparts, and those who lived in Gadsden County were 1.7 times more likely to be overweight. Those enrolled in the free/reduced lunch program were 7% less likely to be overweight than their counterparts. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship of weight with sedentary behavior, self-efficacy in sedentary behavior avoidance, perceived parental support and socio-environmental factors among African American children. The study findings contradict much of the literature in terms of perceptions about the relationship of perceived self-efficacy and behavior and underscore the need for additional research to better understand possible differences between African American and White children.
Highlights
The prevalence of childhood obesity and overweight is increasing rapidly.[1]
This study explored the relationship among self-efficacy and self-reported sedentary behavior, and hypothesized that there would be an association between perceived parental supports, self-efficacy, self-reported sedentary behavior avoidance and overweight as reported body mass index (BMI) percentile
Of the 721 students in the study; approximately 59% of the sample was from Leon County and 49.8 % were from Gadsden County
Summary
The prevalence of childhood obesity and overweight is increasing rapidly.[1] Since 1980, obesity prevalence among children and adolescents has almost tripled[2]. These trends have affected all major racial and ethnic groups, regions of the country and socioeconomic strata, but the largest increases in obesity occurring among racial/ethnic minority groups[3]. Hispanics, American Indians and low-income adolescents[4] These trends in obesity are concerning because children who are obese after the age of six are 50 percent more likely to be obese as adults, regardless of parental obesity status[5]. Among children who were overweight at ages 10–15, 80 percent were obese at age 256
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
