Increased obesity in children living in rural communities of Louisiana.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Rates of obesity among children have been rising in recent years. Information on the prevalence of obesity in children living in rural communities is needed. We report the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children enrolled in grades 4 to 6 who live in rural areas of Louisiana, USA.

Methods and procedures

These data were collected as baseline assessment for the Louisiana (LA) Health project. Height, weight, and estimates of body fat (using body impedance analysis) were collected on 2 709 children. Average age was 10.5 years and the sample composition was 57.3% girls, 61.7% African-American, 36.0% Caucasian, and 2.3% other minority. A majority of children (77%) met the criterion for poverty status.

Results

The distribution of body mass index (BMI) perce

SUBMITTER: Williamson DA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2725211 | biostudies-literature | 2009

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature