Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
09:36

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study

Published on: February 2, 2017

Prevalence estimates of overweight in Head Start preschoolers

Bonnie L Harbaugh1, Wendy Bounds, Jerome Kolbo

  • 1Department of Child and Family Nursing, College of Health, the University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA. bonnie.harbaugh@usm.edu

Journal of Pediatric Nursing
|September 29, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Overweight and obesity risk affect 38.5% of low-income Mississippi preschoolers in Head Start programs. These rates, particularly high among boys and non-Hispanic Black children, exceed national averages, highlighting a critical need for early intervention.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Public Health
  • Childhood Obesity

Background:

  • Childhood obesity is a significant public health concern.
  • Low-income preschool populations often face higher risks.
  • Head Start programs serve vulnerable children, making them a key focus for health assessments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To estimate the prevalence of overweight and at-risk-of-overweight conditions.
  • To identify demographic factors associated with these conditions in Mississippi preschoolers.
  • To inform targeted health promotion and prevention strategies.

Main Methods:

  • A representative sample of 1,250 preschoolers aged 3-5 years was selected using a two-stage stratified probability design.
  • Data collected included height, weight, age, gender, and race.
  • Prevalence rates were calculated for overweight and at-risk-of-overweight categories.

Main Results:

  • The combined prevalence of overweight (20.6%) and at risk of overweight (17.9%) was 38.5%.
  • Higher rates were observed in boys compared to girls.
  • Non-Hispanic Black children and 5-year-olds exhibited the highest prevalence rates.

Conclusions:

  • The prevalence of overweight among Mississippi Head Start children surpasses national averages.
  • Urgent need for early-childhood health promotion and obesity prevention initiatives.
  • Findings underscore the importance of monitoring and intervening in preschool populations.

More Related Videos

Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil06:48

Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil

Published on: July 29, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Obesity01:24

Obesity

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in adipocytes...
Prevalence and Incidence01:08

Prevalence and Incidence

In statistical epidemiology and health sciences, two essential metrics—prevalence and incidence—are fundamental for understanding disease dynamics within a population. These measures enable public health officials, epidemiologists, and researchers to assess the burden of diseases, allocate resources effectively, and design impactful public health policies and interventions.
Prevalence indicates the proportion of individuals in a population who have a specific disease or health condition at a...
Drug Dosing: Obese Patients01:21

Drug Dosing: Obese Patients

In the United States, obesity is a prominent concern. It is linked to heightened mortality rates due to increased occurrences of conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and diabetes compared to nonobese individuals. A patient is classified as obese if their actual body weight surpasses the ideal or desirable body weight by 20%, based on Metropolitan Life Insurance Company data. Ideal body weights consider average weights and heights for males and females...
What are Estimates?01:06

What are Estimates?

It isn't easy to measure a parameter such as the mean height or the mean weight of a population. So, we draw samples from the population and calculate the mean height or mean weight of the individuals in the sample. This sample data acts as a representative measure of the population parameter. These sample statistics are known as estimates. 
The estimate for the mean of a sample is denoted by ͞x, whereas the mean of the population is designated as μ. Further, parameters such as the mean,...
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
Regression Toward the Mean01:52

Regression Toward the Mean

Regression toward the mean (“RTM”) is a phenomenon in which extremely high or low values—for example, and individual’s blood pressure at a particular moment—appear closer to a group’s average upon remeasuring. Although this statistical peculiarity is the result of random error and chance, it has been problematic across various medical, scientific, financial and psychological applications. In particular, RTM, if not taken into account, can interfere when researchers try to extrapolate results...