Effect of SES vs Race on Childhood and Adulthood Weight
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Elizabeth Cancelliere
CoPIs:
Matthew Elko, Kevin Valcarcel, Jessica Stavar, Shreja Patel, Gabriella Herbert
College:
The College of Health Professions and Human Services
Major:
Physician Assistant Studies
Faculty Research Advisor(s):
Wendy Ritch
Abstract:
Abstract
Introduction
Childhood obesity is becoming more prevalent in the United States and has tripled since 1978. Based on information collected by the CDC between 2017 and 2020, approximately 14.7 million children and adolescents are obese. Previous research has identified various contributing factors, such as race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, education level, etc. Analyzed literature has indicated that low socioeconomic status influences childhood obesity more than just race alone. However, it remains unclear which of these variables have the greatest effect on the prevalence of childhood obesity and adult comorbidities.
Objectives
In this study, both socioeconomic status and race were analyzed as factors to obesity to determine which is more contributory. Along with this, the research analyzes these factors over the lifespan determining which factor is more contributory in childhood versus adulthood.
Methods
A survey was conducted asking individuals over the age of 25 questions about their race, childhood income, childhood weight, adult income, adult weight, and a variety of other questions about diet and obesity related illnesses. The survey was sent out online via craigslist, facebook, reddit, and other social media platforms. Flyers were distributed throughout Union, Secaucus, Ocean County, and Staten Island. A literature review was also conducted to analyze past research to determine if race or socioeconomic status contributes more to childhood obesity and higher rates of comorbidities in adulthood.
Results
The relationship between childhood weight and race was analyzed using a Kruskal-Wallis test. It determined that the mean rank of childhood weight was significantly different between races with a P value of 0.004. Statistical analysis of other factors included the relationship of childhood weight and income, adult weight and income, and adult weight and race did not show significance. This indicates that there were similar weights reported across differing levels of childhood and adult income as well as race. An Anova was also conducted and did not show statistical significance which indicated that adult BMI were similar among levels of race and SES.
Conclusion
In conclusion, our study shows that there were no significant findings to support our original hypothesis to determine if race or SES has a more significant role on childhood obesity and comorbid conditions in adults. Several limitations create gaps in our research including a limited sample size of 97 participants, limited diversity in participants of the study, recall bias, memory limitations, time and resource constraints, and the inability to conceptualize a standardized system for the measurement of childhood weight. Future research is required to effectively come to a conclusion of which factor plays a greater role in childhood obesity and the effects it can have on these individuals in adulthood.