Predictors of Obesity Among Children of Mexican Descent: A Binational Study

Children of Mexican origin are a high-risk group for obesity because of their increased risk for comorbidities. A binational study using two cross-sectional samples of 5-year-old children from California and Mexico was designed to compare predictors of obesity. The California sample included 287 children from a longitudinal birth cohort. Mexican children were 316 participants in a study designed to capture a sample similar to the California sample. Equivalent recruitment and data collection methodologies were used in both sites. Using Center for Disease Control growth charts, 53% of California children and 15% of Mexican children were classified as at-risk for overweight or overweight with an age- and sex-specific body mass index greater than the 85th percentile. We found significant differences between samples; California mothers reported that their children played outside fewer hours per day, drank more sweetened beverages per day, consumed fast food more frequently but ate more fresh fruits and vegetables than mothers in Mexico reported (p-value<0.05 for each). We used logistic regression models to determine predictors of being at-risk for overweight or overweight in each sample. Maternal obesity was the only significant predictor in California (OR 2.5 95% CI 1.2, 5.3). Maternal obesity (OR 5.7 95% CI 1.8, 17.7) male sex (OR 2.2 95% CI 1.1, 4.4), high socioeconomic status (OR 3.1 95% CI 1.3, 7.5) and food insecurity (OR 3.8, 95% CI 1.4, 10.4) were associated with being at-risk for overweight or overweight in Mexico. This information can be used in designing effective binational interventions.