title: Estimating the Prevalence of Childhood Obesity in Alaska Using Partial, Nonrandom Measurement Data.
abstract: Although monitoring childhood obesity prevalence is critical for state public health programs to assess trends and the effectiveness of interventions, few states have comprehensive body mass index measurement systems in place. In some states, however, assorted school districts collect measurements on student height and weight as part of annual health screenings. To estimate childhood obesity prevalence in Alaska, we created a logistic regression model using such annual measurements along with public data on demographics and socioeconomic status. Our mixed-effects model-generated prevalence estimates validated well against weighted estimates, with 95% confidence intervals overlapping between methodologies among 7 of 8 participating school districts. Our methodology accounts for variation in school-level and student-level demographic factors across the state, and the approach we describe can be applied by other states that have existing nonrandom student measurement data to estimate childhood obesity prevalence.
authors.affiliation: Program Design and Evaluation Services, Multnomah County Health Department and Oregon Public Health Division, 827 NE Oregon St, Suite 250, Portland, OR 97232. E-mail: erik.everson@state.or.us.
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Everson
authors.affiliation: Program Design and Evaluation Services, Multnomah County Health Department and Oregon Public Health Division, Portland, Oregon.
authors.forename: Myde
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boles
authors.affiliation: Alaska Section of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Anchorage, Alaska.
authors.forename: Karol
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fink
authors.affiliation: Alaska Section of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Anchorage, Alaska.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Topol
authors.affiliation: Alaska Section of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Anchorage, Alaska.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fenaughty
mesh_terms: D000413:Alaska / Q000453:epidemiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012574:Schools; D012923:Social Class; D013334:Students