Hispanic Children and
Overweight: Causes
And Interventions
Andrea Centrella-Nigro
Topic:The incidence and prevalence of overweight is increasing to alarming rates in children and adolescents in
the United States. Hispanic children are one of the highest risk groups for overweight. Many different factors
are positively correlated with childhood overweight in Hispanics: lower socioeconomic status, lacking
health insurance or being under-insured, poor diet, decreased physical activity, overweight status of parents,
mother’s perception of overweight, and degree of acculturation. Pediatric nurses are in a pivotal position to
assist in curtailing the epidemic. Various evidence-based practices to prevent and treat pediatric overweight
are discussed with recommendations to intervene, particularly with Hispanic youth. |