Diabetes Risk, Low Fitness, and Energy Insufficiency Levels among Children from Poor Families

Abstract Background Low-income populations have higher rates of type 2 diabetes and it is the hope of the investigators to increase support for the dissemination of evidence-based prevention programs aimed at children from poor families. Objective To determine the prevalence of high blood glucose, obesity, low fitness, and energy insufficiency levels among children from poor families. Design The cross-sectional study conducted in fall 2001 used fasting capillary glucose, body mass index, body fat, step test, and three 24-hour dietary recalls to assess diabetes risk factor levels. Subjects Participants were 1,402 fourth-grade students aged 8 to 10 years. The racial/ethnic backgrounds were 80% Mexican American, 10% African American, 5% Asian American, and 5% non-Hispanic white. Statistical analysis performed All data were analyzed for descriptive statistics and frequencies of distribution. Means were computed by sex for all diabetes risk factors and t test conducted to determine differences between sexes. Results Nearly 75% of participants lived in households with