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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Kristine Goetze, RN, BSN, Tanita Woodson, RN, BSN, Leslie Mui, RN, BSN, and Cathy Lin, RN, BSN. Division of Nursing, New York University, 131 Carroll Avenue, Mamaroneck, NY 10543, 914-835-7350, Kgoetze@mail.com
Childhood obesity is a growing health problem in the U.S. and worldwide. As part of a 1st year master’s student course project,* we took anthropometric measurements from 95 children, ages 6 to 8 in the 1st through 3rd grades in a public elementary school located in a low socioeconomic, underserved, and educationally disadvantaged inner-city community. Under the supervision of a Nurse Practitioner at a school-based clinic, we measured heights and weights and calculated Body Mass Index (BMI) shortly after the beginning of the Fall term. Over one-third (43%) of 23 first-graders were in the “overweight” category according to the Center for Disease Control’s Growth Charts (> 95th percentile based on BMI and age); almost 13% were at or above the 85th percentile, placing them at risk of becoming overweight. Almost one-fourth of the 29 second grade students and one-fifth of the 43 third-graders were > the 85th percentile for BMI and age, with 28% and 23%, respectively, in the overweight category above the 95th percentile. These data demonstrate the need for more aggressive health promotion and obesity prevention to improve nutrition and promote physical activity. Measurements will be repeated at six-month intervals. Our poster will report cross-sectional and longitudinal data that characterize prevalence trends in this student population along with an inventory of relevant community resources for and obstacles to healthy eating.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Obesity, Risk Assessment
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.