The Prevalence of Obesity in Alaska Native Children: Results from the Children's Healthy Living Program

• Published in: The FASEB journal Vol. 30; no. S1
• Main Authors: Power, Julianne Mary, Philip, Jacques, Bersamin, Andrea
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01-04-2016
• ISSN: 0892-6638; 1530-6860
• DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.lb431

Abstract only The prevalence of obesity among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) children is significantly higher than among children of other ethnic groups. Health statistics presented under the broad heading AI/AN, however, obscure important differences in obesity prevalence that correspond to wide geographic and cultural differences. Our objectives were to estimate and compare the prevalence of obesity among 2–8 year old Alaska Native and non‐ native Alaskan children. Participants were recruited at a range of public events and pre‐schools as part of the Children's Healthy Living Program for Remote Underserved Minority Populations of the Pacific Region (CHL). We measured the height and weight of each child using a standardized protocol (N = 476). Body mass index (BMI) was calculated and converted into BMI Z‐scores based on age and sex using the United States Center for Disease Control (CDC) 2000 growth charts. Parents or guardians self‐reported child behaviors related to obesity, as well as child race, which was categorized as AN (n=104), White (n=315), or Mixed Race (AN and White, n=57) for analysis. Linear mixed models were used to evaluate the association between BMI Z‐score and race. Generalized linear mixed models were used to estimate the odds ratio of a binary outcome (overweight + obese vs. healthy weight) by race. Both models (n=379 because of missing values in covariates) included a random intercept for household group because up to three children could be sampled from each of 252 households. All models were adjusted for sex, age, child sleep time, household income, birth weight and sampling region. Forty‐nine percent of AN children were overweight or obese compared to 32.1% of White children and 29.8% of Mixed Race children. We found a positive association between BMI Z‐score and being AN vs White (β=0.34, p=0.018) but not for being Mixed Race vs. White. Similarly, AN children, but not Mixed Race children, were more likely to be overweight or obese compared to White children (OR=2.71, CI=[1.25, 5.86]). Alaska Native children appear to be at increased risk of being overweight or obese compared to White children and public health efforts should focus on understanding the causes of this difference so we can more effectively design culturally relevant interventions to reduce this trend.