Associations of Various Family Characteristics and Time Use With Children's Body Mass Index

Abstract

This study used multiple regression models to estimate associations of various family characteristics and time use with the body mass index (BMI) z-scores of 734 boys and 725 girls aged 5–18y from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics Child Development Supplement 2003. The strongest relationship in the data was between the BMI of the head of household and a child's BMI z-score (p < 0.001). Time spent sleeping, performing sedentary behaviors, and participating in physical activities was not associated with a child's BMI z-score. This suggests that a family-oriented approach to prevent and treat childhood and adolescent overweight is required.

Notes

This project was supported by a grant from the American Beverage Association. The authors retained complete control of the study design, analysis of data, and interpretation of results. All authors were affiliated with the University of Maryland at the time the research for this manuscript was conducted, but they are now affiliated with other organizations. One author accepted a position with the sponsor after the project began. The views expressed in the article represent those of the authors and may not represent the views of any organizations with which they are currently affiliated. The data used in the analysis are publicly and freely available from the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan (psidonline.isr.umich.edu/CDS/).

Note. *p < 0.05.

**p < 0.01.

***p < 0.001.