Abstract
IntroductionThe objective of this study was to identify predictors of severe obesity in a low-income, predominantly Hispanic/Latino sample of children in Texas.MethodsThis cross-sectional analysis examined baseline data on 517 children from the secondary prevention component of the Texas Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration (TX CORD) study; data were collected from September 2012 through February 2014. Self-administered surveys were used to collect data from parents of children who were aged 2 to 12 years, had a body mass index (BMI) in the 85th percentile or higher, and resided in Austin, Texas, or Houston, Texas. Multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for sociodemographic covariates were used to examine associations of children’s early-life and maternal factors (large-for-gestational-age, exclusive breastfeeding for ≥4 months, maternal severe obesity [BMI ≥35.0 kg/m2]) and children’s behavioral factors (fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity, screen time) with severe obesity (BMI ≥120% of 95th percentile), by age group (2–5 y, 6–8 y, and 9–12 y).ResultsAcross all ages, 184 (35.6%) children had severe obesity. Among children aged 9 to 12 years, large-for-gestational-age at birth (odds ratio [OR] = 2.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13–4.73) was significantly associated with severe obesity. Maternal severe obesity was significantly associated with severe obesity among children aged 2 to 5 years (OR = 2.67; 95% CI, 1.10–6.47) and 9 to 12 years (OR = 4.12; 95% CI, 1.84–9.23). No significant association was observed between behavioral factors and severe obesity in any age group.ConclusionIn this low-income, predominantly Hispanic/Latino sample of children, large-for-gestational-age and maternal severe obesity were risk factors for severe obesity among children in certain age groups. Promoting healthy lifestyle practices during preconception and prenatal periods could be an important intervention strategy for addressing childhood obesity.
Highlights
The objective of this study was to identify predictors of severe obesity in a low-income, predominantly Hispanic/Latino sample of children in Texas
The opinions expressed by authors contributing to this journal do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, the Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the authors’ affiliated institutions
The objective of this study was to assess the associations of earlylife, maternal, and behavioral factors with severe obesity among a sample of low-income, predominantly Hispanic/Latino children aged 2 to 12 years with overweight, obesity, and severe obesity who participated in the secondary prevention randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the Texas Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration (TX CORD) study
Summary
The objective of this study was to identify predictors of severe obesity in a low-income, predominantly Hispanic/Latino sample of children in Texas. Childhood obesity is a major public health challenge in the United States because of its high prevalence, adverse metabolic effects, racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities, and high economic costs. The health and economic consequences of obesity [2,4,5] make it imperative to understand the associated risk factors. One study among a nationally representative sample of children in the United States identified earlylife and maternal factors such as crossing the 85th percentile of BMI at an early age, maternal pre-pregnancy severe obesity, gestational diabetes, and Latino ethnicity as risk factors and certain behavioral factors, such as attending a child care facility and eating fruit at least weekly at kindergarten age, as protective factors for severe obesity [7]. Opportunities exist to explore and identify potentially modifiable factors for severe obesity among children
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