271460 Obesity as Predictor of Self-Rated Health for Adolescents

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Marie-Hortence Prosper, MPH, MBA , Community Health, St. Joseph Health System, Orange, CA
Childhood obesity is a prevalent issue that has drawn significant national attention and concern. The physiological and psychosocial correlates of childhood obesity are well established. Overweight or obese children/adolescents are at greater risk of developing depressive symptoms, low self-esteem and chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Of interest is the relationship between obesity and self-rated health; a topic that has not been explored extensively in adolescents. Self-rated health is a metric of overall wellbeing that summarizes different domains of health including the psychosocial sphere. Evidence supports this measure as a predictor of health care utilization, cost and mortality in adults. Previous studies found that adolescents were more likely to rate their health poorly in the presence of the following factors: higher BMI, smoking (current or previous), low-income status, disability, health problems, and increasing age. However, none evaluate the impact of a childhood obesity intervention in improving this measure. The analysis is based on a sample of 1,230 middle and high school students enrolled in a childhood obesity program called Healthy for Life. The relationship between obesity and lower levels of self-rated health among adolescents was explored with the aim of investigating if adolescents who reduce their weight status by the end of the school year report an improved rating of their health. Preliminary results indicate that adolescents classified as overweight or obese have a 4-fold greater odds of reporting reduced health. These results reinforce the need for effective childhood obesity interventions to help improve health outcomes for children and adolescents.

Learning Areas:
Epidemiology
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Describe the relationship between self-rated health and obesity among adolescents.

Keywords: Children and Adolescents, Obesity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been a program evaluator for community health programs sponsored by my organization. These programs are aimed at improving the health and quality of life of underserved populations in California and Texas. Among my projects and interests have been diabetes prevention, childhood obesity, reducing post-partum depression, and increasing access to dental and medical care. My most recent study explored the relationship between obesity and self-rated health among a representative adults sample.
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.