Abstract
The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of overweight and obese (OW/OB) preschool children in San Luis Obispo County. Preschool children ages 3-5 years were measured for height and weight in 2006 (n = 482) and in 2009/10 combined (n = 559). The CDC BMI calculator for ages 2-20 was used to determine BMI classification. In 2006, 26.4% were OW/OB and by 2009/10, 34.8% were OW/OB. Rates were similar among boys and girls (p = 0.70) and increased significantly over time (p = 0.0070). Caucasian and Hispanic children had similar OW/OB rates in 2006, but by 2009/10 the Hispanic children were 2.7 times more likely to be obese (CI: 1.68, 4.57). Because Hispanic children were more likely to attend Head Start or California State preschools versus private preschools (78.0%, 81.0% and 7.4% respectively), it appears Head Start and California State preschools would be a likely place for interventions directed to meet the needs of Hispanic preschoolers, and may serve to reverse the trend in childhood obesity and address the disparity in weight status among Hispanic preschool aged children.
Highlights
The trend toward overweight and obesity during childhood has been labeled an obesity epidemic and the prevalence in the United States has tripled in the past thirty years (Ogden & Carroll, 2010; U.S Department of Health & Human Services, 2011)
We present valuable information about the weight status of preschool aged children in San Luis Obispo County
In 2006, 26.4% and in 2009/10, 34.8% of San Luis Obispo (SLO) County preschool children were overweight and obesity (OW/OB) compared to 33.6% of children ages 2-5 years in California and almost 25% in the United States (Department of Health Services, 2008; Ogden, Carroll, Curtin, Lamb & Flegal, 2010)
Summary
The trend toward overweight and obesity during childhood has been labeled an obesity epidemic and the prevalence in the United States has tripled in the past thirty years (Ogden & Carroll, 2010; U.S Department of Health & Human Services, 2011). With one in four 2-5 year olds in the United States being OW/OB the public health community has made it a priority to address this problem (Anderson & Whitaker, 2009; Ogden & Carroll, 2010). Healthy People 2020 provides several objectives to decrease the proportion of children ages 2-5 that are OW/OB and a wellknown effort to address the objectives in Healthy People 2020 to counter OW/OB in young children is Michelle Obama’s priority initiative called “Lets’ Move” (U.S Department of Health & Human Services Healthy People 2020, 2009; http://www.letsmove.gov)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
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 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.
