Characterization of Childhood Obesity and Behavioral Factors

Introduction: Childhood obesity is a major public health threat in the United States. Recent data indicate that 34.2% of children ages 6 to 11 years are overweight or obese. The purpose of this study is to describe childhood obesity levels and identify risk behaviors in two school-based health centers in Michigan, one urban and one rural. Methods: This study is a secondary data analysis from a multicenter comparative effectiveness trial. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine behavioral factors associated with overweight/obesity in children. Results: In this sample (n = 105), 41.9% were obese and 16.2% were overweight. The duration of sleep per night (p =.04) and the frequency of eating breakfast (p =.04) were significant predictors of being overweight/obese. Discussion: Health care providers in school-based health centers must be comfortable assessing, preventing, and treating childhood obesity in this high-risk group of patients. Interventions should encourage children to eat breakfast daily and to get adequate sleep.