A Comparison of Family Effects on the Overweight Status of Children and Adolescents

Mary H. Benin, Arizona State University
Jennie J Kronenfeld, Arizona State University

The National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) is used to compare the effects of family on the odds that children are overweight. Models are analyzed separately for children and teens. We find that being male, younger, Black, Hispanic, with less educated parents, and from poor and smaller families increase the chances that children and teens are overweight. Living in the south increases the chances that adolescents, but not children are overweight. Being a first generation immigrant decreases the chances that children, but not adolescents are overweight. Being a second generation immigrant or from a two parent family does not influence the chances that children or adolescents are overweight. Children and adolescents who exercise more and watch less television are less likely to be overweight. Having a mother who exercises more decreases the chance that a child or adolescent is overweight.