Parental Perceptions of Child's Medical Care and Neighborhood and Child's Behavioral Risk Factors for Obesity in U.S....

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Public Health
• Environmental Health

Background:

• Childhood obesity is a significant public health concern.
• Environmental factors, preventive medical care, and behaviors are known contributors to childhood obesity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the associations between various factors and overweight/obesity in children aged 10-17 years.
• To identify key environmental and healthcare-related factors associated with childhood obesity.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the National Survey of Children's Health (2011-2012) for 42,828 children (ages 10-17).
• Analyzed the relationship between physical activity levels, preventive care access, neighborhood characteristics, and overweight/obesity status.
• Employed logistic regression to calculate odds ratios for overweight/obesity based on demographic, behavioral, and environmental factors.

Main Results:

• Children in the overweight/obese category were more likely to have no moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.
• Lack of physical activity was associated with no preventive medical care, inadequate healthcare, limited access to parks, and unsafe neighborhoods.
• Higher odds of overweight/obesity were observed in males, Hispanic children, non-Hispanic Black females, younger females, and those with high television viewing, low physical activity, high poverty, smoke exposure, and perceived unsupportive neighborhoods.

Conclusions:

• Preventive medical care and neighborhood cooperation are potential strategies for reducing childhood obesity.
• Environmental and socioeconomic factors significantly influence childhood obesity risk.
• Targeted interventions addressing physical activity, healthcare access, and neighborhood safety are crucial.