Factors Associated With Obesity in Latino Children: A Review of the Literature

• Published in: Hispanic health care international 2011, Vol.9 (3), p.127-136
• Main Authors: Kornides, Melanie L, Kitsantas, Panagiota, Yang, Y Tony, Villarruel, Antonia M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acculturation; Body Mass Index; Children; Childrens health; Hispanic people; Latin American people; Obese children; Obesity; Studies
• ISSN: 1540-4153; 1938-8993
• DOI: 10.1891/1540-4153.9.3.127

Various factors influence the high prevalence of obesity among Latino children. The purpose of this article was to review the current literature on the factors associated with overweight and obesity in Latino children, provide nursing implications, and suggest direction for future research. Twenty-four studies were selected. The findings of this review indicated that factors related to activity, diet, genetics, the environment, and acculturation influence overweight and obesity in Latino children. Parental body mass index (BMI) was consistently found to be one of the strongest predictors of pediatric weight. There was conflicting evidence for the association of activity, diet, and environmental factors with obesity. There was also inconclusive evidence for the relationship between acculturation and BMI in Latino children. The strengths of the studies reviewed included analyses by Latino subgroup, large Latino sample sizes, and inclusion of both English and Spanish speakers. Limitations included inadequate sample sizes in some studies and lack of data on potential confounding factors such as acculturation and immigration status. Future research is needed to determine how factors associated with obesity can be used in prevention efforts targeting Latino children. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]