title: Elevated body mass index and obesity among ethnically diverse adolescents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine trends in prevalence and odds of elevated body mass index (BMI) and obesity among ethnically diverse adolescents.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from countywide (Miami-Dade) health screenings from 1999-2005. Weight, height, days/week of vigorous activity, hours/day of sedentary activity, parental hypertension, and eating habits were reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  77,050 adolescents, average age 15.6 years (51% girls, 9.4% White non-Hispanic, 59.2% White Hispanic, 16.4% African American, 7% Black Hispanic, and 8% Black Caribbean).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prevalence and ethnic differences in odds of obesity (BMI > or = 95th percentile) and elevated BMI (BMI > or = 85th percentile), adjusting for academic years, days/week of vigorous activity, and hours/day of sedentary activity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prevalence of elevated BMI and obesity increased from 1999-2005. Overall, White non-Hispanics had lower odds of obesity and elevated BMI than African Americans and White Hispanics. African American girls displayed higher odds of obesity and elevated BMI than Black Hispanic girls and higher odds of elevated BMI than Black Caribbean girls. African American boys showed higher odds of obesity and elevated BMI than Black Caribbean boys. Black Hispanic girls had greater odds of obesity and elevated BMI than White Hispanic girls, but boys were similar.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study is among the first to examine BMI status in both Black and Hispanic subgroups. Viewing Black and Hispanic ethnic subgroups as homogeneous obscures important weight-related differences. Further research is warranted to determine factors contributing to differential risk.
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33124-0751, USA. psaab@miami.edu
authors: Patrice G
authors: PG
authors: Saab
authors: Stephanie
authors: S
authors: Fitzpatrick
authors: Betty
authors: B
authors: Lai
authors: Judith R
authors: JR
authors: McCalla
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000367:Age Factors; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000208:ethnology*; D015995:Prevalence; D057185:Sedentary Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D012737:Sex Factors; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*