263248 Investigating the complexity of childhood obesity within the Hispanic family environment using structural equation modeling

Monday, October 29, 2012

Xiaohui Tang, BA , Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Du Feng, PhD , Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Debra Reed, PhD, RD, LD , Department of Nutrition, Hospitality, and Retail Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Background: The trend of obesity among Hispanic children is impacted by multiple factors working jointly. The current study aimed to evaluate family dietary patterns on children's dietary intake, which in turn may influence anthropometric outcomes. Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory was used as a framework.

Methods: The sample consisted of 309 children (5-9 years) who were enrolled in the project Transformacion Para Salud, an 18-month community-based intervention project in West Texas. Baseline data were used for this study. Family dietary patterns were measured by family meal and fast food frequency; children's dietary intake included sweetened beverage intake and daily fruit and vegetable intake; and the anthropometric measures were children's body mass index percentile, waist circumference, and body fat percentage.

Results: Effects of family dietary patterns on children's dietary intake and on anthropometric outcomes were tested by structural equation modeling, taking into consideration several factors (e.g. child's age, acculturation, parent's subjective nutrition knowledge, daily TV time, etc.). For all three anthropometric outcomes, the models fit the data adequately: CFI was 0.956-0.964 and RMSEA was 0.032-0.034; paths from fast food to daily sweetened beverage intake (beta = 0.15, p< .01) and daily fruit and vegetable intake (beta = -0.12, p< .05) were significant. Parent's subjective nutrition knowledge was the significant predictor of each outcome variable (beta was from -0.302 to -0.42, p< .001). Other paths were found indirectly and significantly affect outcomes.

Conclusions: The significant factors associated with overweight and obesity may provide a basis for future prevention and intervention strategies targeting Hispanic children.

Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
1. Identify the significant factors associated with overweight and obesity of Hispanic children aged from 5 to 9. 2. Discuss several possible components for future culturally appropriate and comprehensive interventions with young Hispanic children and their parents. 3. Identify contexts that can influence children’s eating, activity and weight status.

Keywords: Hispanic, Obesity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: This abstract is written in partial fulfillment of the capstone requirements for the Master of Science degree from Texas Tech University. In addition, I am engaged in health related studies through working with my thesis chair who is a joint professor of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. I have spent extensive time researching this topic and was the lead data analyst for the current 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.

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