Physical activity and dietary practices are well-documented in the etiology of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). While it is suspected that the behavioral roots of obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and clinical CVD are present in childhood, there have been relatively few attempts to study the early development of dietary and physical activity behaviors. A three-year grant has been devoted to developing the methology and recruiting the cohort in preparation for a longitudinal study. Numerous new measures have been developed and evaluated. Continuation of the current project will add significantly to the growing knowledge base because half of the sample consists of Hispanic children and half are Anglo. The proposed project will study the determinants of dietary and physical activity behaviors in 350 4 year old Hispanic and Anglo children. The primary aims of the 5 year prospective observational study are as follows: (a) to describe the development and degree of tracking (relative stability over time) of physical activity and dietary intake of saturated fat, sodium, and calories in preschool children over a 5 year period; (b) to identify important determinants of physical activity and dietary habits in young children, with an emphasis on family determinants; (c) to describe the development and determinants of salt taste preference in young children; and (d) to determine relationships between dietary and physical activity habits in young children and physiological indicators of risk, such as blood pressure, body fat, and body mass. The preschoolers and their families will be measured every 6 months for 5 years over a critical period of development. Children are observed during free play periods and meals during school visits and evening home visits. Determinants were selected based on social learning theory, and include sociodemographic variables (e.g., ethnic group, education, acculturation of Hispanics); parental risk status; parental modeling, prompts and knowledge; teacher and peer prompts, salt taste preference of parents and children; child variables (e.g., ponderosity, dietary and physical activity knowledge and preferences); television influences; and opportunities for physical activity and food choice. The growth curve model will be used in the analysis of data. Results of the study will add significantly to the data base on health habits in Mexican, American and Anglo preschool children. Such data can guide priorities for intervention among this high risk group.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01HL035109-04
Application #
3348685
Study Section
(SRC)
Project Start
1986-07-01
Project End
1991-06-30
Budget Start
1989-07-01
Budget End
1990-06-30
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
1989
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California San Diego
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
077758407
City
La Jolla
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92093
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Elder, J P; Broyles, S L; McKenzie, T L et al. (1998) Direct home observations of the prompting of physical activity in sedentary and active Mexican- and Anglo-American children. J Dev Behav Pediatr 19:26-30
Zive, M M; Frank-Spohrer, G C; Sallis, J F et al. (1998) Determinants of dietary intake in a sample of white and Mexican-American children. J Am Diet Assoc 98:1282-9
McKenzie, T L; Sallis, J F; Elder, J P et al. (1997) Physical activity levels and prompts in young children at recess: a two-year study of a bi-ethnic sample. Res Q Exerc Sport 68:195-202
Sallis, J F; Berry, C C; Broyles, S L et al. (1995) Variability and tracking of physical activity over 2 yr in young children. Med Sci Sports Exerc 27:1042-9
McKenzie, T L; Sallis, J F; Nader, P R et al. (1992) Anglo- and Mexican-American preschoolers at home and at recess: activity patterns and environmental influences. J Dev Behav Pediatr 13:173-80
Zive, M M; McKay, H; Frank-Spohrer, G C et al. (1992) Infant-feeding practices and adiposity in 4-y-old Anglo- and Mexican-Americans. Am J Clin Nutr 55:1104-8
Calfas, K J; Sallis, J F; Nader, P R (1991) The development of scales to measure knowledge and preference for diet and physical activity behavior in 4- to 8-year-old children. J Dev Behav Pediatr 12:185-90

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