Multilevel Analysis of Body Mass Index Growth Trajectories of U.S. Schoolchildren: Features and Risk Factors

• In Event: Roundtable Session 4
  In Roundtable Session: Assessing Children's Physical, Language, and Cognitive Development and School Readiness

Abstract

Childhood obesity, which continues to be a concern in the U.S., can affect not only a child’s health, but also can negatively affect a child’s academic performance in school. In this study, a two-level hierarchical linear model was used to examine the relationship between body mass index and individual student and family characteristics. The study was guided by three research questions: 1) Is there any difference in the BMI growth trajectories between students who change schools from kindergarten to fifth grade and those who do not? 2.) Is being in a single/no parent family a risk factor for child obesity? 3.) For Black and Asian males, what is the BMI-SES relationship? Implications for policies and obesity prevention programs are discussed.

Authors

• Maria Stack, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

• Yasuo Miyazaki, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University