Child Body Fat and Body Mass Index: Which Determinants are Most Important? West J Nurs Res 2020 Aug;42(8):593-602
Date
10/17/2019Pubmed ID
31617457DOI
10.1177/0193945919879960Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85074376902 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 2 CitationsAbstract
The purpose of this study was to examine child and parent determinants of children's body fat percentage (BF%) along with their body mass index percentile (BMIp). Children's BF% and BMIp auger lifelong health risks when elevated, and one in five children are affected. Participants (N = 135) included 62% female children; 50.7% Caucasian, 31.7% Hispanic, and 8.5% African American. Children were aged 9-15 years (2% underweight, 47.9% normal weight, 19.7% overweight, and 24.6% obese). Parent BMI average was 30.67 (1.4% underweight, 20.4% normal weight, 23.9% overweight, 40% obese, and 7% extreme obesity); 77.5% of the participating parents were mothers. Following multiple imputations, path analyses were conducted of child and parent determinants of children's BF% and BMIp. Children's BF% and BMIp were related to parents' concern about overweight and children's perception of that concern. For children of overweight or obese parents, who are at highest risk for obesity, assessing the parents' concern is the highest priority.
Author List
Frenn M, Kaugars A, Garcia J, Garnier-Villarreal MAuthors
Marilyn D. Frenn PhD Professor in the College of Nursing department at Marquette UniversityAstrida Kaugars PhD Associate Professor of Psychology in the Psychology department at Marquette University
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Adipose TissueAdolescent
Body Mass Index
Child
Child, Preschool
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Male
Pediatric Obesity
Surveys and Questionnaires
