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Prevalence of obesity and related risk factors in three generation families
Author(s) -
McWhinney Sharon L.,
Copeland Beverly M.
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.a324-c
Subject(s) - overweight , grandparent , obesity , body mass index , medicine , anthropometry , population , demography , gerontology , environmental health , childhood obesity , growth chart , pediatrics , psychology , endocrinology , developmental psychology , sociology
The health and wellness of families can have a positive or a negative impact on the communities in which they reside. The continued increase in overweight and obesity will have enormous implications on the health and wellness of individuals, especially when coupled with disadvantaged social and demographic conditions. This study examined the incidences of overweight and obesity, and the related health risk factors in three generation African American families. The 21 families examined consisted of one grandparent, one parent, and one child 8 to16 years of age. Information collected included demographic data, anthropometric measurements, individual health history and blood profile. Data analysis indicated a positive correlation between the weight of parent and child (p<.02). All parents and grandparents (100%) had body mass index (BMI) indicating overweight or obesity. Forty three percent (43%) of the children had a BMI >95 th percentile indicating overweight, while 29% had BMI values ≥ 85 th and <95 th percentile indicating risk for overweight. Children with early symptoms of diabetes and hypertension had at least a parent or a grandparent with symptoms of these diseases. Those children who had low High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) levels had both the parent and grandparent with abnormally low levels of HDL. There definitely existed a pattern of overweight, obesity and abnormal glucose and blood lipid levels across the three generations. Researchers can use these results as a guide when planning nutrition intervention materials and strategies for this population. This research was funded in part by United States Department of Agriculture, Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service (USDA, CSREES).