title: Parenthood--a contributing factor to childhood obesity.
abstract: Prevalence of childhood obesity and its complications have increased world-wide. Parental status may be associated with children's health outcomes including their eating habits, body weight and blood cholesterol. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for the years 1988-1994, provided a unique opportunity for matching parents to children enabling analyses of joint demographics, racial differences and health indicators. Specifically, the NHANES III data, 1988-1994, of 219 households with single-parents and 780 dual-parent households were analyzed as predictors for primary outcome variables of children's Body Mass Index (BMI), dietary nutrient intakes and blood cholesterol. Children of single-parent households were significantly (p < 0.01) more overweight than children of dual-parent households. Total calorie and saturated fatty acid intakes were higher among children of single-parent households than dual-parent households (p < 0.05). On average, Black children were more overweight (p < 0.04) than children of other races. The study results implied a strong relationship between single-parent status and excess weight in children. Further studies are needed to explore the dynamics of single-parent households and its influence on childhood diet and obesity. Parental involvement in the development of school- and community-based obesity prevention programs are suggested for effective health initiatives. Economic constraints and cultural preferences may be communicated directly by family involvement in these much needed public health programs.
authors: Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA. huffmanf@fiu.edu
authors: Fatma G
authors: FG
authors: Huffman
authors: Sankarabharan
authors: S
authors: Kanikireddy
authors: Manthan
authors: M
authors: Patel
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry; D002648:Child; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D020954:Single-Parent Family / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D002784:Cholesterol