Predictors of increased body mass index in Chinese children.
A longitudinal study design was used to examine factors related to change of body mass index (BMI) over a 1-year period in 307 Chinese children, aged 7 and 8 years, in Taiwan. Standardized instruments were used to measure the children's food intake, physical activity/inactivity, and physical fitness, as well as maternal BMI. Results suggested that a high baseline BMI, poor aerobic capacity, and a high maternal BMI were significantly correlated with increased BMI at 12 months' follow-up. A higher baseline BMI, an overweight mother, increased television viewing and computer time, and poorer aerobic capacity were identified as predictors for weight gain in children (F=207.67; P<.001; adjusted R(2)=0.752). These findings suggest that health care providers need to include the family in children's health care visits and incorporate an assessment of maternal weight status and children's BMI status, activity levels, and aerobic capacity into patient care and education.
Chen
Jyu-Lin
JL
Department of Family Health Care Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Wall
Denise
D
Kennedy
Christine
C
Unnithan
Viswanath
V
Yeh
Chao-Hsing
CH
D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010290:Parents; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D013624:Taiwan; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000208:ethnology*