Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in Hispanic Preschool Children in San Luis Obispo County, California

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of overweight and obese (OW/OB) preschool children in San Luis Obispo County. Preschool children ages 3-5 years were measured for height and weight in 2006 (n = 482) and in 2009/10 combined (n = 559). The CDC BMI calculator for ages 2-20 was used to determine BMI classification. In 2006, 26.4% were OW/OB and by 2009/10, 34.8% were OW/OB. Rates were similar among boys and girls (p = 0.70) and increased significantly over time (p = 0.0070). Caucasian and Hispanic children had similar OW/OB rates in 2006, but by 2009/10 the Hispanic children were 2.7 times more likely to be obese (CI: 1.68, 4.57). Because Hispanic children were more likely to attend Head Start or California State preschools versus private preschools (78.0%, 81.0% and 7.4% respectively), it appears Head Start and California State preschools would be a likely place for interventions directed to meet the needs of Hispanic preschoolers, and may serve to reverse the trend in childhood obesity and address the disparity in weight status among Hispanic preschool aged children.

Prevalence and Correlates of Overweight and Obesity among Preschool-Aged Children in San Luis Obispo County, 2006-2014

“…Data were collected in three waves: April-May 2006 (n = 482), April-May 2009 and 2010 (n = 559), and April-June 2014 (n = 442). Data from the 2006 and 2009/10 assessments have been published previously (Jankovitz et al, 2012). During each wave, the SLO County Public Health Department invited all licensed public, private, California State, and Head Start preschools in SLO County to participate through a Public Health Department maintained listserv.…”

“…In San Luis Obispo (SLO) County, approximately one third of the population is Hispanic and 15% of the population are considered to be persons in poverty (U.S. Census Bureau, 2017). We have been tracking the prevalence of OW/OB among preschool-age (3-5-year-old) children since 2006 (Jankovitz, McGaughey, Torn, Ravalin, & McDermott, 2012). Between 2006 and 2009/2010, the prevalence of OW/OB among preschoolers in SLO County rose from 26.4% to 34.8%.…”