Oral

The papers in this session underscore the important role that parents play in fostering children's well-being. Focusing on childhood obesity, a new conceptual model is proposed which emphasizes the influences of parents and the home environment. Population-representative data are analyzed to identify risk factors for early developmental delay and to examine characteristics that contribute to parental coping in families with children who have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Race/ethnic differences in anxiety and social support are also explored among mothers with preterm infants.

Session Objectives: At the conclusion of this session participants will be able to: 1) describe differences in anxiety levels among African-American and Latina mothers with premature infants; 2) identify sociodemographic and other risk factors associated with developmental delays in preschool children; 3) discuss a conceptual model related to early childhood obesity that can be used to develop interventions focused on parents and the home environment; and 4) describe the relationships between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, parental coping, and parental employment difficulties associated with childcare problems.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)