"Association between Home and Community Environment on Body Mass Index " by Courtney Coughenour PhD, Sheila Clark MEd et al.
 

Association between Home and Community Environment on Body Mass Index of Kindergarten Age Children in Clark County, NV

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

11-17-2014

Publication Title

American Public Health Association Annual Conference

Volume

2014

Abstract

Background: Childhood obesity is a critical public health concern in the U.S. Recent studies have found that a substantial component of childhood obesity is already established by age 5. This study aimed to examine the role of home and community factors on BMI in children entering kindergarten. Methods: The Kindergarten Health Survey is distributed annually to a random selection of schools in Clark County, NV. Data collected during the 2011-2013 school years were utilized. Factors included BMI and hours of screen time. Community environment factors included parks, grocery stores, and fast food outlets. Linear regression was used to develop a predictive model for BMI in Clark County, NV children entering kindergarten. Results: 4,048 children were included in analysis; 15.8% were underweight, 54.8% were normal weight, 10.7% were overweight, and 18.7% were obese. Our predictive model was significant (p<0.001). Significant predictors included screen-hours (b=0.131, p<0.001) and number of parks (b=-0.126, p=0.016). Number of grocery stores and fast food outlets were not significant. Conclusion: Increased screen-time was associated with increased BMI whereas number of parks was a protective factor. While the effect was small, this study was done on a novel population and found environmental influences on BMI may start at a very young age.

Keywords

Built environment; Obesity

Disciplines

Community Health and Preventive Medicine | Public Health

Language

English


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