title: The eating and physical activity habits of inner-city adolescents.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purposes of this study were to (a) analyze the body mass index (BMI) percentile and eating and physical activity habits of adolescents, viewing them by sex, ethnicity, household type, and foreign-born or born in the United States, and (b) evaluate diet and activity analysis software for use by practitioners and adolescent clients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive-correlational study of 74 adolescents from low-income households completed a 24-hour recall of their foods, drinks, and activities, which were analyzed using MyPyramidTracker software. Data were analyzed using parametric and nonparametric methods to test associations and conduct between-group comparisons.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Girls, Hispanics, adolescents living with single-parent mothers, and those who were foreign born had the highest mean BMI percentiles and the least healthy eating and physical activity habits. BMI percentile fell as daily calorie expenditure rose. MyPyramidTracker software is suitable for use by adolescents and their family members.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To contribute to the reversal of national trends of increasing overweight status among adolescents, practitioners can focus their teaching, counseling, and advocacy on adolescents in these groups.
authors.affiliation: San Diego State University, School of Nursing, San Diego, CA 92182-4158, USA. nsweeney@mail.sdsu.edu
authors.forename: Nancy M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Sweeney
authors.forename: Dale
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Glaser
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tedeschi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002140:California; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011204:Poverty Areas; D012984:Software