Dataset Information

Rates of Obesity and Obesogenic Behaviors of Rural Appalachian Adolescents: How Do They Compare to Other Adolescents or Recommendations?

ABSTRACT:

Background

To better understand the unique challenges of Appalachians, community-based studies are needed to establish benchmark rates. This study compares obesity rates and obesogenic behaviors among Appalachian adolescents to other adolescent populations or clinical recommendations.

Methods

This study was conducted in 11 Appalachian schools. Body mass index, body mass index percentile, and body fat percentage were measured using a Tanita DC-430U analyzer. Physical activity was measured using Actigraph wGT3X-BT accelerometers. Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption was self-reported. Pearson's correlations, independent t tests, and multivariate analyses with tests of between-subject effects were conducted.

Results

Mean (n = 345) age was 15.23 (SD = 1.02) years. Appalachian adolescents were extremely obese (13.1%) by more than double that of national adolescent rates. Nearly 29% of males and over 55% of females were at increased cardiovascular risk. Only 15% were moderately active for at least 60 minutes a day, but only for 1 day per week. Mean afterschool sedentary time was 4.75 hours. Only 2.1% recorded vigorous activity for a minimum of 10 minutes at 1 day per week. Nearly all regularly consumed sugar-sweetened beverages.

Conclusion

Obesogenic health disparities were evident in Appalachia. Rates of obesogenic factors among Appalachian adolescents exceed national rates. Appalachian adolescents were far less active, and extreme obesity is a major health concern.

SUBMITTER: Smith LH

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6292710 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Rates of Obesity and Obesogenic Behaviors of Rural Appalachian Adolescents: How Do They Compare to Other Adolescents or Recommendations?

Smith Laureen H LH Laurent Devin D Baumker Erica E Petosa Rick L RL

Journal of physical activity & health 20181013 11

<h4>Background</h4>To better understand the unique challenges of Appalachians, community-based studies are needed to establish benchmark rates. This study compares obesity rates and obesogenic behaviors among Appalachian adolescents to other adolescent populations or clinical recommendations.<h4>Methods</h4>This study was conducted in 11 Appalachian schools. Body mass index, body mass index percentile, and body fat percentage were measured using a Tanita DC-430U analyzer. Physical activity was m ...[more]

PMID: 30318984

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Project description:ObjectiveTo test whether exposure to violence is associated with same-day increases in obesogenic behaviors among young adolescents, including unhealthy food and beverage consumption, poor quality sleep, and lack of physical activity.MethodsYoung at-risk adolescents between 12 and 15 years of age were recruited via telephone screening from low-income neighborhoods. Adolescents and their parents completed in-person assessments, followed by Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) delivered to 151 adolescents' mobile phones three times a day for 30 days (4329 person days). Three obesogenic behaviors - unhealthy food consumption, poor sleep quality, and lack of physical activity - and violence exposure were assessed daily. Adolescents' body mass index (BMI) was assessed prior to the EMA and 18 months later. A replication was performed among 395 adolescents from a population-representative sample (with 5276 EMA person days).ResultsOn days that at-risk adolescents were exposed versus not exposed to violence, they were more likely to consume unhealthy foods and beverages (b = 0.12, p = 0.01), report feeling tired the next morning (OR = 1.58, p < 0.01), and to be active (OR = 1.61, p < 0.01). At-risk adolescents who reported higher consumption of soda and caffeinated beverages during the 30-day EMA were more likely to experience increases in BMI in later adolescence. Findings related to sleep and activity were supported in the population-based replication sample; however, no significant same-day associations were found between violence exposure and unhealthy dietary consumption.ConclusionsThis study provides evidence that exposure to violence is associated with same-day unhealthy dietary consumption among at-risk adolescents and next-day tiredness related to sleep quality among adolescents from both at-risk and normative populations. Findings also point to unhealthy soda consumption during early adolescence as an important predictor of weight gain among at-risk adolescents.

Project description:ImportanceRural adolescents are at high risk for firearm-related injury, yet most existing prevention efforts are informed by research conducted in urban areas. Despite the need to account for rural perspectives, few studies have investigated the unique social ecological context of firearms for rural adolescents or have directly engaged with rural adolescents to understand their views on firearm use.ObjectiveTo describe rural adolescents' firearm behaviors and perceptions of firearm-related social norms within their communities, peer groups, and families.Design, setting, and participantsThis cross-sectional study used a convergent mixed-methods design and involved a community-based participatory research approach. Participants comprised 93 adolescents residing in rural Washington state and enrolled in a county or tribal reservation 4-H youth development program as an intermediate or senior age-level grouping (ie, aged 12-19 years). Adolescents completed a survey and participated in a semistructured focus group or interview between September 1, 2021, and September 30, 2022. Data were analyzed using descriptive and thematic analysis.Main outcomes and measuresIndividual handgun behavior and peer, family, and community perceptions of firearm-related social norms.ResultsThe sample included 93 adolescents (mean [SD] age, 15.7 [1.7] years; 49 female participants [52.7%]). Approximately half of participants (52 [55.9%]) had carried a handgun at some point in their lives, with a mean (SD) age at first carry of 10.9 (3.1) years. Primary themes across quantitative and qualitative data focused on social norms (specifically, acceptable and unacceptable ways to engage with firearms, reasons for carrying firearms, and places to carry a firearm).Conclusions and relevanceIn this cross-sectional study, rural adolescents in 4-H programs generally understood acceptable and unacceptable firearm carrying behaviors, which aligned with state laws. Findings provide context for rural adolescent behaviors such as carrying a firearm predominantly for prosocial reasons (hunting, recreation, and sport) and adult behavior such as carrying for protection of person and personal property. Understanding firearm-related social norms in rural communities holds implications for firearm injury prevention efforts, especially related to enhancing training, developing norms-based prevention approaches, and tailoring efforts to rural settings.

Dataset Information

Rates of Obesity and Obesogenic Behaviors of Rural Appalachian Adolescents: How Do They Compare to Other Adolescents or Recommendations?

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Rates of Obesity and Obesogenic Behaviors of Rural Appalachian Adolescents: How Do They Compare to Other Adolescents or Recommendations?

Similar Datasets

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