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THE ROLE OF RACE/ETHNICITY, DIETARY INTAKE AND MOVEMENT ON OBESITY IN CHILDREN ATTENDING OKLAHOMA CHILD-CARE CENTERS

Abstract

Chelsea L. Smith1, June Eichner1, Michael A. Anderson1, Ashley Weedn1 & Susan B. Sisson1, FACSM. 1University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; email: Chelsea-L-Smith@ouhsc.edu

There are racial/ethnic differences in prevalence of overweight and obesity in 2-5 year old children. An important factor in early obesity development for all children includes unhealthy dietary patterns and movement behaviors. Child-care centers can be an intervention target for developing healthy patterns since 60% of young children spend substantial time in these facilities. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship of race/ethnicity, dietary intake and movement by Body Mass Index (BMI) percentile in children attending child-care centers. METHODS: An observational study at child-care centers was conducted between 2011-2014. BMI was calculated from measured height and weight and BMI percentile was calculated based on age and sex. Parental report of race included American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN), white and black. Dietary intake was determined from observed lunch food consumption and analyzed using dietary analysis software. Independent dietary variables used included sugars (g), total kcal and total fruits-and-vegetables consumed. Physical activity intensity and duration was measured for the entire school day using waist-worn accelerometers. Data was recorded in 15 second epochs and analyzed with age-specific cut points to determine intensity. Independent movement variables included minutes of sedentary, light and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. RESULTS: Participants included 174 children, age 3.8±0.7, 51% male, AI/AN 32%, white 46% and black 20%. AI/AN had the highest mean BMI percentile (72.2±25.8) compared to white (62.9±27.8, p=0.02) and black (65.2±27.8, p=0.05). When a second race was included for AI/AN children of mixed heritage, AI/AN-only children (79.8±21.8) had a higher BMI percentile compared to AI/AN-mixed children (61.8± 27.3, pp=0.004) was associated with higher BMI percentile. CONCLUSION: In support of previous research, AI/AN children had a higher mean BMI percentile than other races. This difference was further amplified when AI/AN-only children were examined; AI/AN-mixed BMI percentile was not different than white. Race/ethnicity may not be the driver of lunch dietary patterns at child-care centers since after adjusting for race, total kcal was still associated with BMI Percentile. Health and child-care providers should be aware of the differences in dietary intake and maximize the opportunity for health promotion in this sensitive environment with higher-risk populations.

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