Overweight Among Low-income Texas Preschoolers Aged 2 to 4 Years
published online 22 March 2010.
Abstract
Objective
Determine child/maternal factors associated with overweight among 2- to 4-year-olds enrolled in the Texas Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
Design
Matched child and maternal data collected by self-report of the mother during WIC certification. These data were extracted from existing statewide WIC databases and merged.
Setting
Texas WIC children aged 2 to 4 years in April 2006.
Participants
Final sample was 22,837 mother–child dyads.
Main Outcome Measure
Dependent variable—child overweight; independent variables: Child-related—gender, age, race/ethnicity, Medicaid status, living area, and dental problems; Maternal-related—certification status, age, times certified, overweight, high maternal weight gain, and gestational diabetes.
Analysis
Bivariate relationships at P < .05 were included in the logistic regression.
Results
Living in a nonborder urban area associated with greater odds of overweight compared to living in a border area. Mother's overweight, high gestational weight gain, and gestational diabetes associated with greater odds of child overweight.
Conclusions and Implications
Several child- and maternal-related factors were found to be associated with overweight in Texas WIC preschoolers. Health interventions should target 4-year-old Hispanic children living in nonborder urban areas and mothers who are overweight, have high gestational weight gain, or have gestational diabetes.
1Office of Program Decision Support, Division of Family and Community Health Services, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, TX
2Formerly of the Office of Program Decision Support, Division of Family and Community Health Services, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, TX
3Houston Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Epidemiology, Houston, TX
4Nutrition Services Section, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, TX
Address for correspondence: Kayan L. Lewis, PhD, Office of Program Decision Support, MC1920, Office of Title V and Family Health, Texas Department of State Health Services, 1100 W. 49th St., PO Box 149347, Austin TX 78714-9347; Phone: (512) 458-7111 x3208; Fax: (512) 458-7443
ABSTRACT