The Journal of Nutrition Vol. 127 No. 12 December 1997, pp. 2310-2315
Copyright ©1997 by the American Society for Nutritional Sciences

High Prevalence of Obesity in Low Income and Multiethnic Schoolchildren: A Diet and Physical Activity Assessment

Louise Johnson-Down^*, Jennifer O'Loughlin^{, **,} , Kristine G. Koski^*, and Katherine Gray-Donald^{*, **,}

^* School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, McGill University, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9, Canada;  Department of Public Health, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, QC H2J 3G8, Canada; and ^** Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McGill University, Purvis Hall, Montreal, QC H3A 1A2, Canada

The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of obesity and/or undernutrition and evaluate diet and activity patterns among schoolchildren from an ethnically diverse low income urban population. A cross-sectional survey of 498 children aged 9-12 y from 24 schools in low income multiethnic neighborhoods in Montreal, Canada was undertaken. Height, weight, dietary intake, physical activity record, and lifestyle and demographic characteristics were measured. There was no evidence of undernutrition because linear growth was appropriate for age, but 39.4% of children were overweight (>85th percentile NHANES II). Dietary fat intake was higher in children from single-parent families (P < 0.001) and those with mothers born in Canada. Intake of vitamins A, C, iron and folate was directly related to income sufficiency. Children who did more physical activity had significantly higher intakes of energy, calcium, iron, zinc and fiber but were not heavier. Dietary intake was systematically underreported among overweight children, i.e., their reported intakes did not meet calculated energy needs. This underreporting makes it difficult to attribute the accumulated energy imbalance to either energy intake or expenditure.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. Maximova, J. O'Loughlin, G. Paradis, J. A. Hanley, and J. Lynch Declines in Physical Activity and Higher Systolic Blood Pressure in Adolescence Am. J. Epidemiol., November 1, 2009; 170(9): 1084 - 1094. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P Wileyto, J O'Loughlin, M Lagerlund, G Meshefedjian, E Dugas, and A Gervais Distinguishing risk factors for the onset of cravings, withdrawal symptoms and tolerance in novice adolescent smokers Tob. Control, October 1, 2009; 18(5): 387 - 392. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. L. Menning and S. D. Stewart Nonresident Father Involvement, Social Class, and Adolescent Weight Journal of Family Issues, December 1, 2008; 29(12): 1673 - 1700. [Abstract] [PDF]

				N. Darmon and A. Drewnowski Does social class predict diet quality? Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, May 1, 2008; 87(5): 1107 - 1117. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. C. Rodriguez, C. Hotz, and J. A. Rivera Bioavailable Dietary Iron Is Associated with Hemoglobin Concentration in Mexican Preschool Children J. Nutr., October 1, 2007; 137(10): 2304 - 2310. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. van der Horst, A Oenema, I Ferreira, W Wendel-Vos, K Giskes, F van Lenthe, and J Brug A systematic review of environmental correlates of obesity-related dietary behaviors in youth Health Educ. Res., April 1, 2007; 22(2): 203 - 226. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. K. Newby Are Dietary Intakes and Eating Behaviors Related to Childhood Obesity? A Comprehensive Review of the Evidence J. Law Med. Ethics, March 1, 2007; 35(1): 35 - 60. [PDF]

				R. Pabayo, J. O'Loughlin, L. Gauvin, G. Paradis, and K. Gray-Donald Effect of a Ban on Extracurricular Sports Activities by Secondary School Teachers on Physical Activity Levels of Adolescents: A Multilevel Analysis Health Educ Behav, October 1, 2006; 33(5): 690 - 702. [Abstract] [PDF]

				T. A. Barnett, J. O'Loughlin, L. Gauvin, G. Paradis, and J. Hanley Opportunities for Student Physical Activity in Elementary Schools: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Frequency and Correlates Health Educ Behav, April 1, 2006; 33(2): 215 - 232. [Abstract] [PDF]

				K. Eldeirawi and R. B. Lipton Predictors of Hemoglobin A1c in a National Sample of Nondiabetic Children: The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-1994 Am. J. Epidemiol., April 1, 2003; 157(7): 624 - 632. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. O'Loughlin, K. Gray-Donald, G. Paradis, and G. Meshefedjian One- and Two-Year Predictors of Excess Weight Gain among Elementary Schoolchildren in Multiethnic, Low-Income, Inner-City Neighborhoods Am. J. Epidemiol., October 15, 2000; 152(8): 739 - 746. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Tanasescu, A. M. Ferris, D. A. Himmelgreen, N. Rodriguez, and R. Pérez-Escamilla Biobehavioral Factors Are Associated with Obesity in Puerto Rican Children J. Nutr., July 1, 2000; 130(7): 1734 - 1742. [Abstract] [Full Text]