Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 15, 2025
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Comparison of Early Life Obesity-Related Risk and Protective Factors in Non-Hispanic Black Subgroups
Sarah E Messiah1,2, Folefac Atem3,4, Cynthia Lebron5
1University of Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health, Dallas, TX, USA. Sarah.E.Messiah@uth.tmc.edu.
Insights
This study found similar early childhood obesity indicators across non-Hispanic Black (NHB) subgroups. Foreign-born caregivers may need targeted healthy weight promotion information for their children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Nutrition Science
Background:
- Obesity prevention studies often group non-Hispanic Black (NHB) children, overlooking potential cultural differences in risk and protective practices.
- Understanding subgroup variations within NHB populations is crucial for developing effective, culturally sensitive interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differences in early childhood obesity-related factors among NHB subgroups: African-American (AA), Haitian, and Caribbean Islander/West Indian/Multiracial.
- To inform culturally tailored strategies for preventing childhood obesity.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of baseline data from two randomized controlled trials involving 370 caregiver-child dyads across 35 childcare centers.
- Multilevel regression models assessed differences in body mass index (BMI) percentile, birthweight, and infant feeding practices (breastfeeding, bottle feeding, introduction of solids).
Main Results:
- Mean BMI percentile and birthweight were similar across AA, Haitian, and Caribbean Islander/West Indian/Multiracial subgroups.
- Children of US-born caregivers had significantly lower BMI percentiles compared to those of foreign-born caregivers.
- Haitian women showed significantly higher breastfeeding initiation rates compared to AA and other Caribbean Islander/West Indian/Multiracial groups.
Conclusions:
- NHB race classification can highlight behavioral similarities, guiding the development of culturally sensitive healthy weight promotion strategies.
- Foreign-born caregivers may benefit from early and targeted healthy weight promotion information for their children.
Objectives:
Previous obesity prevention studies in preschool-age children have included non-Hispanic Black (NHB) children, but few have investigated between-subgroup differences even though there may be cultural risk and protective practice differences, challenging the generalizability of findings. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in early childhood obesity-related factors in NHB subgroups (Haitian, other Caribbean Islander and African-American [AA]) children.
Methods:
Baseline data from two randomized controlled trials in 52 childcare centers of which 35 had data to test a preschool-based obesity prevention intervention was analyzed. The sub-sample included 370 caregiver-child dyads; 209 self-identified as AA, 120 as Haitian and 41 as Caribbean Islander/West Indian or mixed race. Multilevel regression models generated outcome estimates for group differences in body mass index (BMI) percentile, birthweight, breastfeeding initiation and duration, bottle feeding duration and age when solid foods were introduced.
Results:
Mean BMI percentile was similar for AA, Haitian and Caribbean Islander/West Indian/Multiracial (60.1th percentile, 60.8th percentile, 62.8th percentile, respectively) as was birthweight (6.3, 6.8, and 6.6 lb, respectively). Children of US-born caregivers had significantly lower BMI percentiles (9.13 percentile points) versus foreign-born caregivers. Haitian women were significantly more likely to initiate breastfeeding (64.9%) versus AA (47.6%) and Caribbean Islander/West Indian/Multiracial (62.2%) (p < .01). No significant group differences were found in breastfeeding or bottle feeding duration or age solid foods were introduced.
Conclusions:
Findings here suggest that NHB race classification can identify important subgroup behavioral similarities which in turn may inform culturally sensitive strategies to promote early childhood healthy weight. Foreign-born caregivers may benefit from healthy weight promotion information, and as early as possible in their child's development.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Bias in Epidemiological Studies
01:20Lifestyle Factors and Health
Benefits of Physical Activity
Physical activity, whether through structured exercise or casual activities like walking, biking, or dancing, is a cornerstone of a...
01:24Obesity
01:12Relative Risk
02:20Longitudinal Research
01:23Types of Biopharmaceutical Studies: Controlled and Non-Controlled Approaches
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast,...