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School Environment and Child Weight
Author(s) -
Herrin Jennifer,
Kennedy Tay,
Topham Glade,
Page Mealnie,
HubbsTait Laura,
Harrist Amanda
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a301
Subject(s) - percentile , overweight , body mass index , demography , obesity , meal , medicine , psychology , environmental health , mathematics , statistics , sociology , pathology
This project examines the relation between school policies and practices and child body mass index (BMI). Principals at 17 Oklahoma elementary schools were interviewed and child height and weight were assessed at the end of the first grade. BMI for age and gender, and BMI percentiles were calculated using EpiInfo. Children were grouped according to CDC guidelines. Mean BMI for age percentile (N = 495) was 67.5% ± 25.3. Schools had an average of 62.7% of their enrollment qualified for a free or reduced cost school meal. There was no difference in mean BMI between schools even after controlling for percentage of free or reduced cost meals. Five schools had drink vending machines for student use but only two included soda. Differences in distribution of children within weight categories were related to vending machines for student use (χ 2 =5.789; p =.055). All schools had PE; 70% had classes lasting 30–45 min. 30% of schools had a policy prohibiting use of food as a classroom reward. There was a slight negative association between time allowed for lunch, including recess, and BMI percentile ( r =−.07; p = .104). Further research is needed to identify which components of school's environment are impacting child overweight. This project is supported by USDA‐CREES Grant No. 05545.