Predictors of Severe Obesity in Low-Income, Predominantly Hispanic/Latino Children: The Texas Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration Study

Meliha Salahuddin, Adriana Pérez, Nalini Ranjit, Steven H. Kelder, Sarah Endicott Barlow, Stephen J. Pont, Nancy F. Butte, Deanna M. Hoelscher

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction The objective of this study was to identify predictors of severeobesity in a low-income, predominantly Hispanic/Latino sampleof children in Texas.MethodsThis cross-sectional analysis examined baseline data on 517 childrenfrom the secondary prevention component of the TexasChildhood Obesity Research Demonstration (TX CORD) study;data were collected from September 2012 through February 2014.Self-administered surveys were used to collect data from parentsof 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 modelsadjusted for sociodemographic covariates were used to examineassociations 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 behavioralfactors (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. Amongchildren aged 9 to 12 years, large-for-gestational-age at birth (oddsratio [OR] = 2.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13–4.73) wassignificantly associated with severe obesity. Maternal severeobesity was significantly associated with severe obesity amongchildren aged 2 to 5 years (OR = 2.67; 95% CI, 1.10–6.47) and 9to 12 years (OR = 4.12; 95% CI, 1.84–9.23). No significant associationwas observed between behavioral factors and severeobesity in any age group.ConclusionIn this low-income, predominantly Hispanic/Latino sample ofchildren, large-for-gestational-age and maternal severe obesitywere risk factors for severe obesity among children in certain agegroups.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numberE141
JournalPreventing Chronic Disease
Volume14
DOIs
StatePublished - 2017

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health Policy
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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