Abstract:
Childhood obesity is a cause of concern in the United States due to its consequences to children and long-term consequences when these children become adults. Readily identifiable causes include the consumption of high caloric foods, low intake of fiber, sedentariness, and lack of physical activity. Other issues might be involved, such as family structure, which is the main objective of this study. Data on family structure and BMI among Latinos is lacking in the literature, despite this population having the highest rates of childhood obesity in the country compared to other ethnicities. Data for this study are from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), 2008-2015. Study subjects were Latino children between the ages of 5-12 years, having BMI data, who lived in households with one of the following: married couples (nuclear), single mothers, unmarried couples, extended families, or blended couples (with step-parents). Our study showed that blended-households with step parents had children who were 2.6 times more likely of being obese compared to nuclear family households. Similarly, extended family households (where there was an extra adult other than the parents living in the household) had children who had 53% greater odds to be obese compared to nuclear households. College graduates had children with a 71% lower odds of being obese. Children whose parents spoke only Spanish had a 32% lower odds of being obese compared to parents who spoke only English. Girls had a 30% lower odds of being obese than boys and it is clear that family structure, particularly extended family and blended family households, had a large influence on childhood obesity in Latino children between 5-12 years old. This may be related to excessive stress upon these children caused by the changes in family structure leading them to unhealthy eating behaviors or maybe to lack of healthy eating orientation also due to stress. Therefore, childhood obesity interventions to Latinos should address the issue of stress resulted from family structure influence. Also, interventions should take into account their original culture keeping traditional behaviors that protect against childhood obesity, education of the parents and male gender.
Keywords:
Childhood obesity