Prevalence estimates of overweight in Head Start preschoolers

J Pediatr Nurs. 2009 Oct;24(5):350-9. doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2008.05.001. Epub 2008 Oct 28.

Abstract

This study estimates prevalence of overweight and at risk of overweight among low-income predominately non-Hispanic Black Head Start Mississippi preschoolers. A two-stage stratified probability design produced a representative sample of 1,250 preschoolers aged 3 to 5 years. Height, weight, age, gender, and race data were obtained. The prevalence of overweight (20.6%) and at risk of overweight (17.9%) combined was 38.5%. Moreover, highest rates were found in boys, non-Hispanic Blacks, and 5-year-olds. The prevalence of overweight in Mississippi Head Start children exceeds national averages, reinforcing the need for early-childhood health promotion and prevention.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Distribution
  • Black or African American / ethnology
  • Black or African American / statistics & numerical data*
  • Body Mass Index
  • Child Nutrition Disorders / diagnosis
  • Child Nutrition Disorders / ethnology*
  • Child Nutrition Disorders / prevention & control
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Early Intervention, Educational* / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Health Services Needs and Demand
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mississippi / epidemiology
  • Nurse's Role
  • Nutrition Assessment
  • Nutrition Surveys
  • Overweight / diagnosis
  • Overweight / ethnology*
  • Overweight / prevention & control
  • Poverty / statistics & numerical data
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Distribution
  • White People / ethnology
  • White People / statistics & numerical data*