Assessment of childhood overweight and at risk overweight among school children and their relationship with multi-level factors

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence of overweight, at risk overweight among school children and its relationship with multi-level factors as such as socio-demographic, community economic status and geoenvironmental factors in Leon County Florida.

Methods: A secondary analysis was done on data collected by the Leon County Schools - Nursing and Health Services as part of their annual health screenings conducted in partnership with the Leon County Health Department School Nursing Program among Kindergarten, 1, 2 and 3 – 8th graders. Data from US Census Bureau were combined with this data for further analysis.

Results: Of 17, 277 students, with a mean age of 10 years, 48.5% are female and 51.5% are male, 18.98% of the population is overweight and 17.25% are at risk of being overweight. Male/Female overweight and at risk for overweight prevalence was19.55% and 16.38%, and 18.38% and 18.17 % respectively. Gender (Female are more than male), median income per zip code of schools (low-income has high prevalence), school location (North versus South), race or ethnic ratio of students (white versus others) appeared to be significantly associated factors.

Conclusion: Florida State has one of the highest prevalence of obesity in the nation. Further analysis should focus on more qualitative approach to understand better food habits, parental supports, school's physical education level, food services and other environmental factors, along with children's self-efficacy for physical activity, making food choice etc. to understand the disparities among the groups.