Adolescent Overweight (adolescent + overweight)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Prevalence and Degree of Childhood and Adolescent Overweight in Rural, Urban, and Suburban Georgia

JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, Issue 4 2006
Richard D. Lewis
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of OW and EOW in school-aged youths from 4 regions of Georgia. A 2-stage cluster sampling procedure was performed in 2002, with participation of 4th-, 8th- and 11th-grade students (N = 3114). Measured height and weight were used to determine body mass index (BMI) for age percentiles and data were weighted to estimate population prevalence of OW. A logistic regression model determined predictors of OW. The overall estimate of OW prevalence was 20.2% and highest in males (22.0%), non-Hispanic blacks (21.8%), "other races" (32.4%), and students residing in rural growth (23.7%) and rural decline (23.0%) areas. Overweight prevalence was similar among grades. The overall estimated EOW was 4.3 and highest in males (4.7), other races (5.6), non-Hispanic blacks (5.2), and students from rural growth (5.4) and rural decline (5.0) areas. Sex, race, location, and economic tier were significant predictors (= 0.02) of OW. The prevalence and severity of OW was higher in youths residing in Georgia than nationally. School health professionals, community leaders, and parents should provide support for updated school policies aimed at providing BMI surveillance and a school environment that encourages physical activity and healthy nutrition practices. (J Sch Health. 2006;76(4):126-132) [source]


California School Board Members' Perceptions of Factors Influencing School Nutrition Policy

JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, Issue 2 2004
Kelli McCormack Brown
ABSTRACT: Enactment and enforcement of school nutrition policies represent key components in adolescent overweight and obesity prevention. This study determined: 1) California school board members' attitudes, perceptions, and motivations related to enactment of policies that support healthy eating in schools; and 2) barriers to adopting school policies that support healthy eating. To understand board members' decision-making process, key informant interviews were conducted and a survey was administered to 404 school board members. Though school board members care about the well-being of pupils, competing priorities limit the extent to which nutrition issues get addressed at board meetings. Members' decisions center primarily around academic achievement issues, yet they are interested in nutrition's overall impact on children's health and academic achievement. [source]


Cross-Validation and Discriminant Validity of Adolescent Health Promotion Scale Among Overweight and Nonoverweight Adolescents in Taiwan

PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING, Issue 6 2006
Mei-Yen Chen
ABSTRACT This study used cross-validation and discriminant analysis to evaluate the construct and discriminant validity of Adolescent Health Promotion (AHP) scale between the overweight and nonoverweight adolescents in Taiwan. A cross-sectional survey method was used and 660 adolescents participated in this study. Cluster and discriminant analyses were used to analyze the data. Our findings indicate that the AHP is a valid and reliable scale to discriminate between the health-promoting behaviors of overweight and nonoverweight adolescents. For the total scale, cluster analyses revealed two distinct patterns, which we designated the healthy and unhealthy groups. Discriminate analysis supported this clustering as having good discriminant validity, as nonoverweight adolescents tended to be classified as healthy, while the overweight tended to be in the unhealthy group. In general, overweight adolescents practiced health-related behaviors at a significantly lower frequency than the nonoverweight. These included exercise behavior, stress management, life appreciation, health responsibility, and social support. These findings can be used to further develop and refine knowledge of adolescent overweight and related strategies for intervention. [source]


Family and school determinants of overweight in 13-year-old Portuguese adolescents

ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 2 2007
Elisabete Ramos
Abstract Aims: To identify familial and school determinants of overweight in 13-year-old adolescents. Methods: All 27 public and 19 (79%) private schools allowed to contact age eligible students, 77.5% accepting to participate (1116 girls, 1045 boys). Self-administered questionnaires were completed and physical examination performed, including weight and height measurements. Overweight (>95th percentile) and at risk of overweight (85th,95th) were defined using CDC standards. Its determinants were identified using logistic regression models, entering parents' education and all variables significantly associated in crude analysis. Results: Prevalence of overweight (10.2%) and at risk of overweight (16.5%) was not influenced by type of school, vending machines and number of school canteen meals. In girls, the prevalence of body mass index (BMI) >85th percentile increased significantly with decreasing age at menarche (45.7% if menstruating before 11-year and 13.2% when pre-menarche), and increasing parental BMI or time spent on sedentary activities. In multivariate analysis, age at menarche and increasing parental BMI remained significant risks in girls. In boys, besides parental BMI, ever smoking, sleeping <9 h and sedentary leisure activities were significant determinants. Conclusions: Food offered at school had no significant impact on adolescents overweight, which was mainly dependent on parental anthropometrics and leisure time activities. [source]