Semester
Summer
Date of Graduation
2007
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MS
College
Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design
Department
Human Nutrition and Foods
Committee Chair
Cindy Fitch.
Abstract
The prevalence of overweight among adults and children continues to increase. The purpose of this study was to evaluate demographic factors that may be associated with an increase in a child's weight status. Subjects were children aged 2 to 6 years old in two southern West Virginia counties, McDowell and Mercer. Children were weighed and measured, and BMI was calculated. Parents or other caregivers were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding child's age, household food security, and parents' age, height and weight, education level, and hours worked per week.;A positive association between food insecurity and overweight among children was present (p=0.06). The mother's BMI was positively associated with the child's BMI (p<0.05), however the father's BMI was positively associated with only the girl's BMI (p=0.02). The only significant association with the parents' education was that dad's educational attainment was associated with an increase in boys' BMI. This study revealed important information regarding relationships between household demographics and overweight in children.
Recommended Citation
Webber, Melissa, "Relationship between food insecurity and overweight in preschool-aged children in rural West Virginia" (2007). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 2546.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/2546