Hispanic children and overweight: causes and interventions

The incidence and prevalence of overweight is increasing to alarming rates in children and adolescents in the United States. Hispanic children are one of the highest risk groups for overweight. Many different factors are positively correlated with childhood overweight in Hispanics: lower socioeconomic status, lacking health insurance or being under-insured, poor diet, decreased physical activity, overweight status of parents, mother's perception of overweight, and degree of acculturation. Pediatric nurses are in a pivotal position to assist in curtailing the epidemic. Various evidence-based practices to prevent and treat pediatric overweight are discussed with recommendations to intervene, particularly with Hispanic youth.