Persistent disparities in obesity risk among public schoolchildren from childhood through adolescence.
Arkansas is among the poorest states and has high rates of childhood obesity. In 2003, it became the first state to systematically screen public schoolchildren for unhealthy weight status. This study aims to examine the socioeconomic disparities in Body Mass Index (BMI) growth and the risk of the onset of obesity from childhood through adolescence.



This study analyzed (in 2015) the data for a large cohort of Arkansas public schoolchildren for whom BMIs were measured from school years 2003/2004 through 2009/2010. A linear growth curve model was used to assess how child-level sociodemographics and neighborhood characteristics were associated with growth in BMI z-scores. Cox regression was subsequently used to investigate how these factors were associated with the onset of obesity. Because children might be classified as obese in multiple years, sensitivity analysis was conducted using recurrent event Cox regression.



Survival analysis indicated that the risk of onset of obesity rose sharply between ages of 5 and 10 and then again after age 15. The socioeconomic disparities in obesity risk persisted from kindergarten through adolescence. While better access to full service restaurants was associated with lower risk of the onset of obesity (Hazard Ratio (HR)=0.98, 95% CI=0.97-0.99), proximity to fast food restaurants was related to increased risk of the onset of obesity (HR=1.01, 95% CI=1.00-1.01).



This analysis stresses the need for policies to narrow the socioeconomic gradient and identifies important time periods for preventative interventions in childhood obesity.
Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA. Electronic address: danhong_chen@hotmail.com.
Danhong
D
Chen
Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA; National Bureau of Economic Research, USA.
Michael R
MR
Thomsen
Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA; National Bureau of Economic Research, USA; Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Norway; Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.
Rodolfo M
RM
Nayga
Arkansas Center for Health Improvement, Little Rock, AR, USA.
Judy L
JL
Bennett
D000293:Adolescent; D001131:Arkansas; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D057140:Fast Foods; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012574:Schools
BMI growth; Food environment; Health disparities; Onset of obesity