Parental status and childhood obesity in Australia

Authors: Byrne, Linda K.; Cook, Kay E.; Skouteris, Helen; Do, Michael

Source: International Journal of Pediatric Obesity, Volume 6, Numbers 5-6, October 2011 , pp. 415-418(4)

Publisher: Informa Healthcare

Buy & download fulltext article:

The full text article is not available for purchase.

The publisher only permits individual articles to be downloaded by subscribers.

Abstract:

<title>Abstract</title>

The overall aim of this study was to examine obesogenic factors in children from single and dual parent families. Data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) (8,717 children) were analyzed to examine the differences in children's activity levels, dietary intake and BMI according to parental status and determine the likelihood of childhood overweight and obesity in a single-parent household. There were higher rates of overweight and obesity in girls aged four to nine whose parents were single (OR 1:60). Children in single-parent households watched more television, ate more food high in fat and sugar and less fresh fruit and vegetables than children from dual-parent households. The findings suggested that an additive effect of dietary and activity variables may contribute to the higher rates of overweight and obesity in Australian children, and that girls from single-parent households may be particularly at risk.

Keywords: Childhood obesity; children's diet; single-parent households; television viewing; BMI

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/17477166.2011.598938

Affiliations: 1: School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia

Publication date: 2011-10-01

More about this publication?