Prevalence and correlates of high body mass index in rural Appalachian children aged 6-11 years.
BACKGROUND
In rural regions of the United States of America, estimates of pediatric obesity often exceed national averages. This problem may be particularly pronounced in Appalachian regions, where significant health and economic disparities abound. This study presents the findings of a body mass index (BMI) screening program for 6-11 year old children living in a rural Appalachian community. County-wide estimates of high BMI (>or=85th percentile) were obtained to understand the health status and needs of our pediatric community and to compare obesity prevalence rates with national averages. An additional aim was to identify subpopulations of children who may warrant clinical intervention due to demographic and behavioral risks factors of high BMI.


METHODS
A school-based BMI screening was conducted of 6-11 year old children in southeastern Ohio. Investigators collected 3 sets of height and weight measurements from approximately 2000 elementary school students between 2006 and 2007. Caregivers for a subset of this population also completed a health behaviors questionnaire.


RESULTS
Thirty-eight percent of children had high BMI, with 17% at risk for overweight and 20.9% overweight. Boys were 23% more likely than girls to be overweight (chi(2)(1) = 95% CI = 1.08, 1.40) and 11% more likely to become overweight with each year of age (OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.07, 1.15). Overweight children were more likely to view television, eat meals at school, and live with a caregiver who smokes.


CONCLUSIONS
Consistent with expectations, prevalence of high BMI in this sample of rural Appalachian children exceeds national averages. Prevalence of overweight varied by age and sex; boys are particularly vulnerable to developing obesity, especially as they age. Preliminary survey data suggest that eating breakfast at home and at school and increased hours of television viewing may be associated with higher BMI, especially in younger boys.
Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens, Ohio, USA. montgomery-reagan@oucom.ohiou.edu
Karen
K
Montgomery-Reagan
Joseph A
JA
Bianco
Victor
V
Heh
Jean
J
Rettos
Rebecca S
RS
Huston
D001061:Appalachian Region / Q000453:epidemiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D009820:Ohio / Q000453:epidemiology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012424:Rural Population; D012574:Schools