Childhood obesity onset in an urban American Indian health clinic.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the relationship between gender and the age of onset of overweight and obesity for American Indian children between the ages of 2 and 12 years old.


METHODS
Using a retrospective study design, medical charts were reviewed, recording the body mass index (BMI) at different ages of 100 American Indian children (male and female) who were followed regularly (defined as having at least two visits within a 3 year period) at an urban Indian Clinic in Oklahoma City and seen at least once between the years 1995-2000.


RESULTS
Males were associated with an earlier mean onset of overweight and obesity compared to females. Blood quantum and tribal affiliation were not statistically significant predictors.


CONCLUSIONS
Health clinics treating American Indian children should begin targeting youth under age 9 for obesity prevention and physical fitness activities.
Stern
Nicole G
NG
Campus Health Service, 1224 E. Lowell Street, Bldg. 95, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA. nstern@email.arizona.edu
Barrett
James R
JR
Lawler
Frank H
FH
D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009825:Oklahoma / Q000453:epidemiology; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D016549:United States Indian Health Service; D014505:Urban Population