Project Number: R40 MC 11278-01 Project Date: 2/1/2009 Grantee: Johns Hopkins University Department/Center: Population, Family & Reproductive Health
Final Report
Pending
Principal Investigator
Holly Grason MA, Associate Professor, Johns Hopkins University Population, Family & Reproductive Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street Baltimore, MD 21205 hgrason@jhsph.edu
Abstract
The growing prevalence of childhood obesity and heightened understanding of its lifelong consequences have led to national recognition of the need to evaluate related interventions. Among children, little is known about the degree to which state policies affect the prevalence of childhood obesity. Yet, in the past 5 years, many states have intervened to address the obesity epidemic, in part, by enacting legislation. This study investigates relations among state policies and childhood obesity. Data from the proposed study come from the 2007 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH), the 2003-6 School Nutrition-Environment State Policy Classification System and Physical Education-Related State Policy Classification System developed by the National Cancer Institute, and the 2006 American Community Survey (ACS) conducted by the US Census. At the state level, there are measures of body mass index (BMI) for children, the scope and type of enacted legislation related to obesity, and socioeconomic status. For individual children, the NSCH includes parent reported BMI, physical activity, and media use as well as sociodemographic characteristics of the child and family and neighborhood characteristics including availability of recreational space and perceived neighborhood safety.
The goal of the proposed study is to assess whether variations in state policies are related to the prevalence of childhood obesity for children ages 5-17 years. The 3 specific aims are: 1) To examine changes in state school policies for nutrition and physical education from 2003 to 2006; 2) To examine whether state nutrition and physical education policies in schools in 2006 are related to the state prevalence of childhood obesity; and 3) To examine whether state policies related to nutrition and physical education in schools in 2006 have an independent effect on childhood obesity after adjusting for individual child, family, and neighborhood characteristics. T-tests will be used to assess changes in the number and comprehensiveness of state policies over time (Aim 1). Regression models will be constructed to consider relations between the number and extensiveness of state policies with state obesity prevalence, conditioned on state characteristics (Aim 2). Multilevel regression models will be used to assess whether state policies have an independent effect on obesity after adjusting for individual child, family, and neighborhood characteristics. (Aim 3).
This study supports MCHB’s Strategic Research Issue IV (healthy development of MCH populations). Findings will inform prevention programs and policies that address childhood obesity and promote healthy lifestyles and the Healthy People 2010 leading health indicators for overweight/obesity and physical activity.
