186172 Assessing habits for modifying nutrition and physical activity behaviors in lower-income urban children and families

Wednesday, October 29, 2008: 9:15 AM

Laura Anderko, RN PhD , Nursing, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
John Meuer , Chief of General Pediatrics and Professor of Pediatrics and Population, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
Sarah O'Connor , Neighborhood House of Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
Melodee Nugent , Chief of General Pediatrics and Professor of Pediatrics and Population, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
Clarence Johnson , Neighborhood House of Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
Background: Obesity is a public health epidemic, particularly among children. United Neighborhood Centers of Milwaukee (UNCOM), composed of eight centers serving low-income urban communities, partnered to integrate evidence-based approaches, e.g., We Can, into existing service programs to promote healthy lifestyles for urban children and families.

Design/Methods: Voluntary cross-sectional surveys of parents of 291 children aged 3-12 years and 122 teens aged 13-18 years (2006-07) inquiring about nutrition and physical activity levels.

Results: Among 338 parents who completed surveys, 83% were African American, 19% Latino, and 12% white (14% mixed race/ethnicity); 50% had high school education or less. Among 413 participating children ages 3-18, 40% were overweight (BMI > 85%) and 23% obese (BMI > 95%). Age significantly influenced nutrition and physical activity behaviors reported with a downward trend (less healthy choices) noted with increasing age. High percentages of TV time and low levels of knowledge for nutritional choices were found: 57% of toddlers and 67% of teens watched >3 hours of TV daily. While only 20% of children overall ate 3 or more vegetables daily and 28% ate 3 or more fruits daily, only 20% were aware they should eat more vegetables and 10% more fruits. Additionally, 29% of teens ate three or more fast food meals weekly, but only 8% of were aware they should eat less fast food.

Conclusions: Percent of overweight children in this population exceeds federal recommendations and national averages. Community-based interventions, utilizing neighborhood centers will be developed based on needs identified.

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the first phase of a community-based participatory research effort, reporting information on lifestyle behaviors low-income minority children 2. Discuss strategies for addressing identified needs through community-based interventions at neighborhood centers.

Keywords: Community Collaboration, Obesity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Co-I on this study.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.