Publication year
2015
Citation Title
Associations between family income and children’s physical fitness and obesity in California, 2010–2012.
Journal Name
Preventing Chronic Disease
Journal Volume
12
Issue Number
E17
Page Numbers
1-9
DOI
10.5888/pcd12.140392
Summary
Children's physical health is potentially associated with their socioeconomic status. This study examined the associations between family income and 1,617,400 fifth-, seventh-, and ninth-graders' physical fitness level, BMI (body mass index), and obesity. Results indicated that children's possibility of having a high physical fitness level and low BMI were positively associated with their family income.
Key Findings
Family income was positively associated with physical fitness across all race/ethnicity groups and in both genders.
Both boys and girls from high income families were more likely to have lower BMI scores than children from low income families among all race/ethnicity groups.
The prevalence of obesity was higher among children from low income families than those from high income families, and this was especially true for White boys and girls.
Implications for Military Professionals
Collaborate with youth program professionals to create an active and healthy activities for children and adolescents from low-income military families
Attend training about the influence of socioeconomic status on child development to enhance their ability to provide support to military families with low income
Implications for Program Leaders
Offer free or low-price physical activities and dietary instructions for low-income military families
Provide outreach services that increase awareness of available support for military families with low income
Implications for Policy Makers
Recommend professional development for professionals working with military families to better understand the negative associations between family income and children's BMI
Promote the development of programs that offer affordable physical activities for children from low-income military families
Methods
Students were recruited from public and charter schools in California between 2010 and 2012.
Measures included students' physical fitness assessment scores, BMI (body mass index) and obesity, and family income (free or reduced-price meal eligibility).
Data were analyzed to examine the relationship between family income and children's physical fitness and obesity.
Participants
Participants were 1,617,400 students who were in fifth, seventh, and ninth grades; the average age of the students was 13.00 years (SD = 1.70).
Approximately half of the students in the sample (51%) were male.
Most students were Latino (53%), followed by White (26%), Asian Americans (8%), Black (6%), Multiracial (3%), Native Americans (1%), and others (3%).
Limitations
All participants were recruited in California, so caution must be taken to generalize the findings to other states.
Family income was indicated by children's eligibility for free or reduced-price meals and the result was either eligible or ineligible; therefore, it was not able to distinguish families on the highest and lowest ends of the spectrum.
The cross-sectional design of the study made it impossible to determine the potential causal relationship between family income and children's physical fitness and obesity.
Avenues for Future Research
Recruit participants from various age groups and different geographical locations so that the findings can be better generalized
Examine the associations between family income and children's mental health
Conduct longitudinal studies to examine the causal relationship between children's family income and their physical fitness level
Focus
Civilian
Target Population
Population Focus
Abstract
Socioeconomic status may influence childhood obesity prevalence and children’s fitness level. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between family income and children’s physical fitness level and obesity prevalence for 8 racial/ethnic groups. Data for 1,617,400 fifth-, seventh-, and ninth-grade children who took a physical fitness test from 2010 through 2012 in California were used in this cross-sectional study. Multiple linear and log-binomial regressions were used to test whether low family income (as indicated by eligibility for National School Lunch Program) was associated with physical fitness level or obesity prevalence. Differences were tested by race/ethnicity while adjusting for age and sex. Fitness score was measured on a scale from 0 (least healthy) to 6 (most healthy). Average fitness score was 4.45 (standard deviation, 1.47). Prevalence of obesity was 20.3%, and 56% of children were classified as having lower family income. Lower family income (vs higher) was associated with lower fitness score (coefficient = −0.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.62 to −0.53). Lower-income children had higher prevalence of obesity (relative risk = 1.81; 95% CI, 1.72–1.89) compared with higher-income children. These inverse associations were seen among American Indian, Asian, Pacific Islander, Filipino, Hispanic/Latino, African American, and white children and among children who were identified as being of 2 or more races/ethnicities. Children with lower family incomes tend to have less healthy physical fitness status and have higher risk of obesity than children with higher family incomes. This information can be used to help set policies and provide programs aimed at improving fitness and decreasing obesity risk among low-income children.
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