Abstract
A cross-sectional survey was administered to Latino and White residents of Omaha, NE, to assess perception of the childhood obesity problem, attribution of responsibility, and support for obesity-related policies. The sample included 40.8% (n = 271) Latinos and 59.2% (n = 393) Whites. Among Latinos, 25% did not see childhood obesity as a problem, compared to 6% of Whites (P < 0.001). This difference persisted after adjusting for age, gender, and education level (odds ratio (OR) 2.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07–4.14). Latinos were more likely to agree that government was responsible for addressing childhood obesity compared to Whites (OR 2.81, 95% CI 1.82–4.35). Higher support for policy interventions was observed among individuals who perceived childhood obesity as a big problem compared to those who did not, independent of race, sex, age, or education level. The relationship between support for tax-based policies and perception of the childhood obesity problem was mainly evident among Latinos rather than Whites. Despite city-wide efforts to address obesity, differential penetration in community subgroups appears evident. There is room to further engage Latinos in the cause of obesity. Deepening community awareness about the consequences and complexity of childhood obesity can lead to stronger support for childhood obesity policy interventions.
Highlights
Recent trends of childhood obesity suggest that there is a leveling but persistently high prevalence in the US [1]
Mexican American adults have shown the largest increase in obesity rates in the last decade [2], Mexican American boys continue to have the highest prevalence of obesity rates among all US children [2], and the proportion of reversals in obesity between 2008 and 2011 among Mexican American children is significantly lower than that of White children [3]
More than one-third of Latinos in the sample did not graduate from high school (35.6%) and only 13.7% had a bachelor’s or higher degree, compared to over 60% of Whites. Both racial groups were more educated than the average for each group in Omaha, according to the American Community Survey data [8]
Summary
Recent trends of childhood obesity suggest that there is a leveling but persistently high prevalence in the US [1]. Mexican American adults have shown the largest increase in obesity rates in the last decade [2], Mexican American boys continue to have the highest prevalence of obesity rates among all US children [2], and the proportion of reversals in obesity between 2008 and 2011 among Mexican American children is significantly lower than that of White children [3] These nuanced trends may in part be the result of differential penetration of community-wide efforts in population subgroups, as residential segregation and language and cultural barriers remain dominant in US cities.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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 call
