Citation

Sisson SB, Sheffield-Morris A, Spicer P, Lora K, Latorre C. Prev. Med. 2014; 61: 48-53.

Affiliation

University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ypmed.2014.01.010

PMID

24440163

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relation between family structure and obesogenic attributes. METHODS: Publicly available data from the 2007 National Survey of Children's Health (n=55,094; 11.6±0.04years; 51.2% male) was analyzed in Fall 2012. Predictor variables included marital status (two-parent biological [referent], two-parent blended, single-mother, and other) and number of children. Outcome variables included the presence of a bedroom TV (BTV), elevated television (TV) viewing time, insufficient physical activity, and infrequent family meals. RESULTS: Analysis of family structure revealed 63% biological, 11% blended, and 20% single-mother families. Twenty-three percent of children did not have siblings. When family structure variables were considered independently, children in blended (OR: 1.75; 95% CI 1.45, 2.10) and single-mother homes (1.49; 1.28, 1.74) had higher odds of BTV. Children in blended families had higher odds of elevated TV viewing time (1.28; 1.08, 1.51). Single-mother homes had higher odds of infrequent family meals (1.28; 1.07, 1.52). Families with ≥2 children were less likely to have BTV (0.60; 0.54, 0.66) or elevated TV viewing time (0.74; 0.67, 0.82), and to irregularly dine together (0.89; 0.80, 0.99). CONCLUSION: Diverse family structure was associated with more obesogenic behaviors and environments. The presence of siblings diminished, but did not eliminate, the risk.

Language: en