Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #111859

Sasha S. Trent¹, Susan McCreedy, RN², John F. Ambrose, MPH, CHES³, and Mark J. Levine, MD, MPH³. (1) Longwood University, 111 South St. 1st Floor, Farmville, VA 23112, 434-392-3984, john.ambrose@vdh.virginia.gov, (2) Amelia County Public Schools, 8740 Otterburn Rd, Amelia, VA 23002, (3) Piedmont Health District, Virginia Department of Health, 111 South St. 1st Floor, Farmville, VA 23901

Background: Nationally, prevalence of overweight and obese children has increased in recent years. While many studies have attempted to quantify the issue, few have focused on rural communities. Objective: To determine the prevalence of overweight and obese children within a rural Virginia health district. Methods: Heights and weights of children grades K-7 were collected through a local rural school district from November 2004 to January 2005. Prevalence rates for overweight and obese children were established and compared to national data. Average body-mass index (BMI's) were obtained and clustered by grade. A meta-analysis was conducted comparing several data sets including NHANES data. Results: A sample of 868 school aged children was obtained during the first phase of this study. A mean BMI of 19.3 (95% CI 18.9, 19.8) was observed during initial data analysis. This is 17% higher than the average BMI reported by the CDC for the same age group. Kindergarteners had the lowest mean BMI of 11.6 (95% CI 10.3, 18.0) as compared to other grades. Conclusions: County level analysis and national data comparison show that the prevalence of overweight youth in grades K-7 in a rural health district is greater than the national level. In addition, there seems to be a severe increase in BMI with advancement in grade level.

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