Chapter 8 Accounting for Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Children's Obesity Status at 2 Years of Age

Obesity in children in many developing countries has increased substantially over the last several decades. This change has implications for population health and human capital due to the strong persistence in weight through adulthood and the large social costs of a growing number of unhealthy individuals. As suggested by many educational interventions, targeting health status during early childhood may be more efficient and equitable due to accumulation of effects. Thus, examining the primary sources of obesity and obesity disparities is important, including focuses on school, family, and community factors, among others. Recent evidence has suggested that racial differences in obesity status occur before school age and are difficult to explain. However, this chapter shows that with nationally representative data, the differences can be explained and point to poverty, family structure, and home language rather than race as focal factors for future interventions. Suggestive evidence is also provided that parental investments in physical activities are associated with early-childhood weight status.