Association Between Health Related Behaviors in Adults and Children Living in the Same Household

Objectives: To compare results from the Colorado Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and the linked Colorado Child Health Survey (CHS) and examine their respective health related associations. Methods: To identify some of the parental factors related to health practices and behaviors of children, we analyzed data from the BRFSS and CHS for 2004-2008 (n=5953). The BRFSS is a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funded project and is used by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to monitor health status, prevalence of chronic diseases, and self-reported risk behaviors of Colorado adults through a random-digit-dial telephone survey. During the BRFSS phone interview, the interviewer inquires if a child between the ages of 1-14 years lives in the household and about the respondent's willingness to complete a survey about the child. Approximately 2 to 4 days later, the parent is called to complete the CHS on a variety of topics such as child's physical activity, nutrition, access to health and dental care, behavioral health, school health, sun safety, injuries, and other health related topics. Results: Significant associations were observed between parents and their children's behaviors, and health tendencies, in areas such as BMI status, nutrition, physical activity, mental health, and alcohol and tobacco use. The results of this analysis will be discussed. Conclusions: Health behaviors of parents are positively associated with health behaviors of their children. Parents can promote a healthful lifestyle for their children when they practice the same types of healthful behaviors.