Prevalence estimates of overweight in Head Start preschoolers.
This study estimates prevalence of overweight and at risk of overweight among low-income predominately non-Hispanic Black Head Start Mississippi preschoolers. A two-stage stratified probability design produced a representative sample of 1,250 preschoolers aged 3 to 5 years. Height, weight, age, gender, and race data were obtained. The prevalence of overweight (20.6%) and at risk of overweight (17.9%) combined was 38.5%. Moreover, highest rates were found in boys, non-Hispanic Blacks, and 5-year-olds. The prevalence of overweight in Mississippi Head Start children exceeds national averages, reinforcing the need for early-childhood health promotion and prevention.
Department of Child and Family Nursing, College of Health, the University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA. bonnie.harbaugh@usm.edu
Bonnie L
BL
Harbaugh
Wendy
W
Bounds
Jerome
J
Kolbo
Elaine
E
Molaison
Lei
L
Zhang
D001741:Black or African American / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017677:Age Distribution; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018479:Early Intervention, Educational / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008922:Mississippi / Q000453:epidemiology; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D050177:Overweight / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011203:Poverty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D044465:White People / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*