Differences by race and income on reported barriers and drivers of healthy eating and activity habits in children

Introduction: There is a higher prevalence of low-income, Hispanic and African-American childen that are overweight or obese. Understanding behaviors associated with healthy weight is critical to solutions. A quantitative study of children: parent dyads was conducted to determine drivers and barriers of healthy eating and activity habits and asses if there ar differences in children based on race and income. Methods: The American Dietetic Association Foundation Family Nutrition and Physical Activity survey was designed to understand children's behaviors related to healthy weights and parents' awareness of their behaviors. The sample for this analysis includes 420 white, 230 Hispanic and 209 African American children: parent pairs, boys and girls, ages 8 to 17. Income levels for sample segments align with the United States Census Bureau. Chi-square and Kruskal Wallis statistics were used to assess differences by race and income. Results: Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) by race and income were found in the majority of children's responses. Noteworthy examples include low-income African American children report purchasing food from vending machines, convenience stores, pizza delivery more often (p<0.001); low-income Hispanic children expressed the most interest in eating healthier (p<0.001); low and medium income African American children and low income Hispanic children expressed the most interest in being more physically active (p<0.001). Conclusions: Race and income have important effects on children's attitudes and behaviors related to healthy eating and activity. Interventions can be most effective when race and income drivers give consideration to these findings and differences and barriers to healthier habits are addressed.