Food Intake Compared to Exercise Association with Obesity in Children Ages 3-6

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Public Health
• Nutrition Science

Background:

• Childhood obesity is a significant public health issue in the US, affecting 19.3% of children and disproportionately impacting Hispanic children (25.6%).
• Understanding obesity risk factors in preschool-aged children (3-6 years) is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of monitoring physical activity and caloric intake in young children.
• To determine if established obesity risk factors are relevant for the 3-6 year age group.
• To explore factors contributing to higher obesity rates in Hispanic preschoolers.

Main Methods:

• Recruitment of 37 children (ages 3-6) during well-child visits.
• Parental questionnaires on physical activity and screen time, alongside dietary assessments.
• Utilizing fitness trackers for 5-day activity monitoring and conducting dietary recalls.

Main Results:

• 92% of participants provided usable activity data, and 97% completed initial dietary recalls.
• The average Body Mass Index (BMI) was at the 60th percentile, with 32% classified as overweight or obese.
• No significant difference in daily caloric intake was observed between children with and without overweight/obesity.

Conclusions:

• Pedometer-based activity tracking is a feasible method for monitoring physical activity in children aged 3-6.
• Reduced physical activity is more strongly correlated with overweight and obesity in preschoolers than caloric intake.