Overweight and Perceived Health in Mexican American Children: A Pilot Study in a Central Texas Community

Health indices for the evaluation and monitoring of health in children and adolescents in prevention and health promotion: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Health indicators are used in different settings to monitor health outcomes. Child and adolescent health is arguably one of the most important areas for the application of indices and indicators in prevention and health promotion. Although single health indicators may be better suited to display the complexity of the health status and its determinants, a selected set of indicators will still offer a complex picture. Therefore, it is argued that a group of indicators combined into an index may offer a pragmatic tool that is easier to use in order to inform stakeholders.

METHODS

A scoping review was conducted to identify and describe health indices that monitor and evaluate health of children and adolescents and to appraise the quality and value of the identified indices that may guide the further applications of these indices in particular settings. The three bibliographic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsycINFO were searched and a double screening of titles and abstracts as well as double screening of full texts was performed. Indices contained in these studies were analysed in terms of focus and composition and evaluated in terms of quality criteria.

RESULTS

The scoping review identified 36 eligible studies with 18 health indices in six thematic categories. Of the identified indices, seven indices focus on anthropometrical variables, three indices focus on special aspects of newborns and five indices focus on oral health. One index assesses "healthy lifestyle" and one "functional ability" whereas one index a combination of different aspects. Most indices are calculated by using primary health data.

CONCLUSIONS

Alone or in combination with single sets of indicators, indices in six major thematic domains may be used as pragmatic tools for monitoring children's and adolescents´ health and the evaluation of interventions in health promotion and prevention settings.

A primary care intervention to improve weight in obese children: A feasibility study

PURPOSE

Examine the effects of a primary care weight management program, which used a parent-child-provider collaborative negotiation intervention, among rural-dwelling families with obese children.

DATA SOURCES

Health histories, physical examinations, fasting blood samples, interviews, and questionnaires.

CONCLUSIONS

Feasibility of implementing a family weight management intervention in a rural primary care setting was demonstrated. Few differences between the treatment and comparison groups were found; however, more favorable trends and outcomes occurred in those who received the intervention.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Positive provider-patient communication in helping families with obese children make difficult lifestyle changes should be encouraged in primary care clinics as small changes in behavior can result in reducing risk and improving health outcomes.

Relationships among factors related to body mass index, healthy lifestyle beliefs and behaviors, and mental health indicators for youth in a title 1 school

INTRODUCTION

The effect of being overweight in childhood has both physical and psychological implications. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships among body mass index (BMI), healthy lifestyle beliefs and behaviors, and mental health indicators for 5th- and 6th-grade children in a Title I school.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional, descriptive correlational design on a convenience sample of youth in an urban school. BMI was calculated. Participants completed surveys that assessed healthy beliefs and behaviors, activity and nutrition knowledge, and mental health indicators.

RESULTS

Children with higher BMIs reported difficulty in living a healthy lifestyle. This perceived difficulty affected their ability to make healthy choices. Belief in the ability to live a healthy lifestyle resulted in reported healthier behaviors. Anxiety and depression symptomatology were not significantly related to healthy lifestyle indicators.

DISCUSSION

The results demonstrate that the proposed thinking, feeling, behavior triangle model was supported in this population.

Higher risk for obesity among Mexican-American and Mexican immigrant children and adolescents than among peers in Mexico

We conducted a cross-sectional study among 1,717 children and adolescents of Mexican origin ages 5-19 years living in Mexico and Texas to explore the influence of country of birth and country of longest residence on their overweight and obesity status. Descriptive statistics were used to compare demographic and anthropometric characteristics of participants born and raised in Mexico (Mexicans), born in Mexico and raised in the United States (Mexican immigrants), and born and raised in the United States (Mexican-Americans). Univariate and multivariate nominal logistic regression was used to determine the demographic predictors of obesity adjusted by country of birth, country of residence, age, and gender. Almost half (48.8%) of the Mexican-Americans and 43.2% of the Mexican immigrants had body mass index at the 85th percentile or above, compared to only 29.3% of the Mexicans (P < .001). Thus, Mexican-Americans and Mexican immigrants were more likely to be obese than their Mexican peers [Mexican-Americans: odds ratio (OR) = 2.5 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.8-3.4); Mexican immigrants: OR = 2.2 (95% CI 1.6-3.0)]. In addition, males were more likely than females to be obese [OR = 1.6 (95% CI 1.2-2.1)], and adolescents 15-19 years of age were less likely than their younger counterparts [OR = 0.5 (95% CI 0.4-0.7)] to be obese. The high prevalence of obesity among children of Mexican origin in the United States is of great concern and underscores the urgent need to develop and implement obesity preventive interventions targeting younger children of Mexican origin, especially newly arrived immigrant children. In addition, future obesity research should take into consideration the country of origin of the study population to develop more culturally specific obesity interventions.

Mexican American Parents’ Perceptions of Childhood Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes

A study was conducted to identify the norms, values, and perceptions of urban immigrant Mexican American (MA) parents of school children relative to physical activity, healthy eating, and child risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Investigators facilitated five focus groups in an urban elementary school setting and analyzed data using qualitative analysis techniques. Methods for participant recruitment, conduct of focus groups, and qualitative data analysis are detailed. Results of analysis are presented. The relationship between parent focus group discussion and the conceptual framework guiding the study are depicted. Implications for practice and research are discussed.

Low income, Mexican mothers' perception of their infants' weight status and beliefs about their foods and physical activity

Childhood obesity is being considered a global health epidemic, and one of the countries mostly affected by it is Mexico. The aim of this study was to assess the perceptions of low-income mothers with regard to their child's weight status and physical activity and their beliefs about healthy and high-density foods. A total of 813 mothers attending a vaccination centre at three primary care clinics in three different regions of Mexico, and their infants ranging from 5 to 24 months old, participated in the study. Anthropometrical measurements and interviews were conducted at the clinic. The child's average age was 12.7 months. Forty-three percent of mothers underestimate their child's weight status; this percentage jumps to 83% when we refer to mothers of overweight and obese children. Mothers with overweight and obese children, having a monthly income higher than 600 dollars, less than 6 years of education, and having migrated to their current state of residence are more likely to underestimate their child's weight. A high percentage of the mothers wish their children were less active, and they do not consider that carbonated and non-carbonated sweetened drinks and high fat snacks might be dangerous to their child's health. In conclusion, low-income, Mexican mothers highly underestimate their infant's weight status and have higher risks of fostering an obesogenic environment.

The relationship of perceived and actual weight in minority adolescents

The prevalence of overweight in adolescents with its associated outcomes continues to be a major public health concern. The purpose of this study was to assess whether adolescents perceived their weight accurately and to determine the relationships among perceived and actual weight, depression, anxiety, anger, disruptive behavior, and self-concept in minority adolescents. A descriptive, correlational design was conducted with 33 adolescents. Questions regarding weight perception, depression, anxiety, anger, disruptive behavior, and self-concept were correlated with body fat percentile, body mass index (BMI), and BMI percentile. Findings indicated that adolescent perception of overweight was positively related to actual weight and negatively related to self-esteem and disruptive behavior. Adolescents who were overweight identified their weight accurately and tried to lose weight.

Parental Perceptions of Childhood Overweight in the Mexican American Population: An Integrative Review

The prevalence of overweight in Mexican American children has been increasing at a steady rate over the past few years. People of Mexican origin make up the largest proportion of the Hispanic population, which has been reported by the U.S. Census Bureau to be the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States. The purpose of this integrative review was to examine and summarize the current research on parental perceptions of childhood overweight in the Mexican American population. Four main themes evolved as a result of the data analysis: parental perception of overweight, parental practices, household food security status, and acculturation. School nurses are in a position to influence children in improving their nutritional status and increasing their physical activity. Understanding cultural values and beliefs regarding health status and overweight of Mexican American families should be a priority for school nurses. Identifying food-related parenting styles and the concept of acculturation should also be considered prior to incorporating relevant interventions in the school setting.