Jennifer A. Nelson, MPH¹, Mary Ann Chiasson, DrPH¹, and Kathleen Carpenter, MS, RD, CDN². (1) Research and Evaluation Unit, Medical and Health Research Association of New York City, 40 Worth Street, Suite 720, New York, NY 10013, 212-285-0220, jnelson@mhra.org, (2) MHRA Neighborhood WIC Program, 40 Worth St., Suite 728, New York, NY 10013

To investigate factors associated with childhood overweight in a low-income, ethnically-diverse urban population, we surveyed the parents of 2-4-year-old children participating in a New York City WIC program and collected anthropomorphic data for the children. Of 528 children, 54% were Hispanic and 23% were black. Preliminary findings show that 38% of the children were overweight or at risk for overweight (BMI ≥85th percentile). Hispanic children were more likely to have a BMI ≥85th percentile than other children (p<0.05). Others have found associations between childhood overweight and fruit juice and soda consumption; we also examined non-juice fruit drinks. We found high consumption of juice and soda: 58% of children drank more than one 8-ounce juice a day, 30% drank more than two, and 18% drank at least one soda a day. Especially problematic were the fruit drinks, which may appear healthy, but have little nutritional value: 30% drank more than one a day and they were significantly more likely to have a BMI ≥85th percentile (p<0.05). In terms of physical activity, 29% of the children spent less than 2 hours a week playing actively, while 27% spent more than 2 hours daily watching television and were marginally more likely to be overweight (p<0.10). Those who spent more than twice as much time watching television as playing actively (53%) were more likely to have a BMI ≥85th percentile (p<0.05). These findings suggest that sugary drink consumption and television viewing are points at which interventions may make a difference.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to discuss the relationship between childhood obesity and aspects of the home and food environment, such as sugary drink consumption and television viewing.

Keywords: Food and Nutrition, Children

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employed by MHRA, the parent organization of the Neighborhood WIC Program, where the study was conducted.