International Joumal of Applied Sports Sciences

2011, Vol. 23, No. 2, 371-382.

frj Korea Institute of Sport Science

High Fat Caloric Consumption and Low Levels of

Physical Activity May Induce Prevalence of Obesity
in Hispanic American Qiildren
Suk-Ho Lee", Cordelia R. Rodriguez'', & Kwangseok Hong"
Texas A&M International University", & Laredo Independent School District'', USA

Abstract
The number of obese youth has increased dramatically in recent decades, yet
very little data has assessed how children's lifestyles have led to this increase in
obesity. This study inxxstigated possible factors (media viewing, dietary patterns,
and levels of physical activity) contributing to the prevalence in obese Hispanic
American children. Twenty-four Hispanic boysaged 6-13 years uvre recruited. Based
on initial body ntass index screenings, the stibjects uvre assigned to either a control
or obese group (obese > 25% by % fat). Both groups were administered assessments
on ntedia viewing, dietary patterns, and levels of physical activiti/ by tising a daily
log and pedometer. Tliere was no significant difference in media viewing between
the obese group and the control group. The total amount of caloric intake in the
obese group was not different from that of the control group. However, the
percentage of fat calories in the obese group was significantly higher tlian that of
the cotttrol group. The average steps per day in the control group were sigttificantly
higlier than that in the obese group. It was assunted that the dominant
detemtinants in obese Hispanic boysmight be heavily infitienced by a high
percentage of fat calories consumption and ou> levels of physical activity, not media
vievnng and total amount of caloric intake.
Key VJords: Dietary patterns. Levels of physical activity. Media viewirtg. Obese;
Percentage of fat calories. Total amount of caloric intake

Introduction
Preliminary data revealed startling restilts that the obesity rate was more than
50% among approximately 2,200 third-graders in Texas-Mexico border region (Lee
Submitted : 2 May 2011, Revised : 15 June 2011, Aeeepted : 28 June 2011
Correspondence : Suk-Ho Lee (slee@tamiu.edu)

372 Suk-Ho Lee et al

et a l , 2005; Richards, 2007). The pervasiveness of overweight/obesity becomes a

greater aspect between African American and Hispanic groups in comparison to
those of Caucasians (Bray, 2003; Rich et al, 2005). In children 6 ?o7/-year-old,
22% of Hispanic children were overweight, compared to 14% of non-Hispanic/
White children and 18.8% average for all other ethnic groups (Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, 2007). The number of overweight and obese youth has
increased dramatically in recent decades. However, the underlying mechanisms and
factors inducing fatness in Hispanic youth are poorly understood.
There is the likelihood that obesity begins in early childhood, and will persist
throughout a general life span (Epstein et al, 1987). Long-term prospective studies
have determined that obesity is closely related to the onset of several varying
diseases; including stroke, hypertension, type II diabetes, and coronary/artery disease
(Katzmarzyk & Janssen, 2004). Furthermore, obese children and adolescence may
suflfer disturbances in psychosocial functioning, for iastance, low self-image or poor
relationship with peers (Makara-Studzinska & Zaborska, 2009).
Children who watched more television were more likely to be overweight than
children who watched less television (Gortmaker et al, 1996; Jago et a l , 2005).
This not only displaces time spent in physical activity, but by also attracting high
calorie food intake (Lowry et al, 2002). Page (2007) reported a total of 147
commercials promoting consumption of unhealthy foods with high fat and sugar
content that were broadcast during prime time children's TV programs in U.S. It
was also reported that there was a high conelation between TV viewing and
unhealthy food consumption (Taveras et al, 2006). Modification of sedentary
lifestyle, reduction of TV viewing time, has been shown to contribute to lowering
rate of overweight and obesity in children (Gordon-Larsen et a l , 2002).
The consumption of energy density food and dietary fiber has been identified as
an essential factor for determining overweight and obesity risks (World Health
Organization, 2003). The significant rate of obesity has been found to link with the
amount of carbohydrate intake, especially from chips/crackers and soft drinks during TV
viewing (Stunn, 2005). Therefore, finding different patterns of food consumption would
provide valuable information for determining the factors affecting obese Hispanic
American children, and altogether altering the crisis of an overweight society.
Only 30% of students fulfill the recommended physical activity of at least 60
minutes per day/ 5 days a week (Vadiveloo et al, 2009). Mier et al. (2007)
reported that the majority of border Mexican/American children (52%) did not

High Fat Caloric Consumption and Low Levels of

Fysical Avity Nfey Indu Ftevalen of Obesity in Hispanic American Qiildren

373

exercise at all. These low levels of physical activity are clasely related to this trend
in obesity. The obese status can be modified by high levels of moderate to vigorous
physical activity (Hamilton et al., 2007).
The purpose of this study was to compare media viewing, dietary pattems, and
levels of physical activity between a control group and obese group. The identifying
major factors contributing to the plight of obese Hispanic boyswould be the essential
step for developing treatment and/or prevention programs for obese children.

Methods
Subjects and experimental design
After initial screening and using body mass index, fifty-eight healthy Hispanic
boysaged from 6 to 13 years who participated in summer swimming class at a
recreational center in Laredo, Texas were recruited for this study. Among those, a
total of twenty-four subjects completed the experiment and successfully retumed all
data. The subjects were assigned to either a control group (n=12) or an obese group
(n=12) based on the data from the percentage of body fat (%body fat) (obese group
> 25% by Skin fold method). The characteristics of subjects in both groups are
shown in Table I. Subjects in both groups were required to have written consent.
This study was approved by an Institutional Review Board.

T>k 1. Owracteristics of subjects (=24).

Group & Variables Age (year)

Height (inch)

Weight (lbs)

BMl (kg/m") %body fat (%)

Control Group
(n=12)

9.33 2.60 55.47 5.23

97.33 34.20 22.57 5.68

18.37 1.50

Obese Group
(n=12)

9.83 2.04 53.83 5.48

134.75 38.75 29.01 + 5.61

28.48 3.20

* Significantly different from control group (p<.05).

374 Suk-Ho Lee et al

Measurements
Body Composition
The Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated by an equation [BMI=Weight (kg)/
Height" (m)]. The %lxxly fat was estimated using the data obtained by skin fold
caliper (Beta Technology Incorporated, Cambridge, MD). The %body fat was
calculated based on previous research (Jackson & Pollock, 1985). The triceps and
supraspinale were the following areas assessed for %body fat. For the measurement
of the triceps, distance between lateral projection of acromial process and inferior
margin of olecranon process was measured on lateral aspect of the arm with elbow
flexed at 90 degrees using a tape measure. Midpoint was marked on the lateral side
of arm. Fold was lifted 1 cm above the marked line on posterior aspect of the arm.
Caliper was applied at marked level. For the supraspinale, fold was along natural
cleavage line of skin just inferior to inferior angle of scapula, with caliper applied
1 cm below fingers. The skin fold measurements and equations used for this study
were as follows; 1) if SK < 35mm, %body fat =1.21 (SK) - 0.008 (SK)^ - 3.2
and 2) if SK > 35mm, %body fat = 0.783 (SK) + 1.6 ('SK' indicates the sum of
triceps and supraspinale, obesity > 25%) (Slaughter et al., 1988). The data were also
collected using a body fat analyzer (Omron Healthcare, Vemon Hill, IL) as a
substitute for the subjects who were not comfortable with skin fold methods.

Media Viewing
In this study, TV viewing, video game playing, and computer using are
collectively considered as the media viewing. A total hour of media viewing for
seven consecutive days was recorded by parents or legal guardiatis using a daily
time log. Total hours for each category (TV viewing, video game playing and
computer using) and average hours of overall media viewing per day were
calculated.

Dietary Patterns
Personal diet logs were developed based on previous researches and given to the
subjects. The parents or legal guardians of the subjects were asked to record all food
consumptions including drinks and snacks of their children for seven consecutive

FSgJi Fat Caloric Consumpticn and Low Levels of

Activity Vfay Induce FVevalence of Obesity in Hspanic American Children

days. Also,
by subjects
fat calorie)
called Diet

375

the parents or legal guardians were instructed to record all food consumed
throughout the whole day. Diet patterns (total caloric intake, percentage of
were assessed by the researcher based on the daily log using software
Power (Diet Power, Inc., 7 Kilian Drive, Danbury, CT 06811).

Levels of Physical Activity

A pedometer was used to assess the levels of physical activity (Omeron Health,
Inc., Illinois, HJ-150). A pedometer is a beeper sized device that clips onto the
subjects belt or waistband and counts the number of stejjs the subject takes while
walking or jogging. It has been used in numerous research studies and has shown
accuracy to estimate the levels of physical activity (Beets et al., 2005). A personal
physical activity log (recording form for steps using Pedometer) was given to the
subjects. The subjects were instructed to wear the pedometer all day (from moming
to immediately before bed time). At the end of the day, the subjects were able to
remove the pedometer from their body and then should record the niunber of steps
taken for that day on their physical activity log. This procedure was conducted for
seven days. An average steps per day was calculated based on the total number of
steps for seven days.

Statistical Analysis
Numerical data were expressed as means ^ S D . In order to verify differences
between two groups in each variable, the independent t-test was performed. A p
value of less than .05 was considered statistically significant. The SPSS software
(SPSS 15.0) was used for all statistical analyses.

Results
Body Composition
The average %body fat in the obese group was significantly higher than the
average in the control group (28.48% 3.2 vs 18.37% 1.5) (p<.05). The range
of %body fat in control group was from 10.17% to 24.41%. In contrast, it was from

376 Suk-Ho Lee et al

25.3% to 37.7% in the obese group. Therefore, all subjects in the obese group in
this study were categorized as overweight or obese.

Media Viewing
The mean daily reported for media viewing in the control group was as follows:
TV viewing (2.76 hours 0.9); video game playing (1.0 hours 0.1); and
computer usage (0.84 hours 0.2). Additionally, there was TV viewing (2.11 hours
0.5); video game playing (1.8 hours 0.5); and computer usage (0.32 hours
0.1) in the obese group. However, there was not a significant difference in the
overall media viewing between the control group (4.66 hours 1.3) and obese
group (4.22 hours 1.1).

Dietary Patterns
The total amount of caloric intake in the obese group (2,398.3 Kcal + 302) was
not different from that of the control group (1,986.1 Kcal + 254). However, the
percentage of fat calories in the obese group (39.83% + 2.2) was significantly
higher than that of the control group (33.62% 1.5) (p<.05) (Figure 1).

Control

Obese

Total caloric intake except fat calorie a Fat calorie

Figure 1. Total amount of caloric intake and percentage of fat calorie.
There was no difference in the total amount of caloric intake between both groups.
However, the percentage of fat calories in the obese group (39.83% 2.2, 955.24 Kcal)
was significantly higher than that of the control group (33.62% 1.5, 667.69 Kcal),
* Significantly different from control group (p<.05).

Fat Caloric Gonsunpticn and Low Levels of

Physical Activity fvfey Indu Pfevalenoe of Cbesity in Hspanic American Children

377

Levels of Physical Activity

Tlic average steps per day in the control group was significantly higher than that
in the obese group (5,565 steps 332 vs 3,612 steps 432) (p<.05) (Fig. 2).

steps

(num)
6,000
S.QOO
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
Control

Obese

Figure 2. The average steps per a day,

The cavrage steps per day in the control group were signifieantly higher than that in the
obese group (5,565 steps 332 i>s. 3,612 steps 432),
* Significantly different from control group (P < .05).

Discussion
TTiis study sought to identify contributing factors (tnedia viewing, dietary
patterns, and levels of physical activity) that were associated with obese Hispanic
American children. The recommended daily TV viewing for children is 2 hours per
day. The study found that 58.9% of the children spent more than 2 hours per day
for viewing TV (Swinbum & Shelly, 2008). In addition, the percentage of Hispanic
students who watched TV for more than 2 hours/day (52%) was greater than that of
white students (34%) (Lowry et a l , 2002).
It is likely for children watching more television during kindergarten and first
grade to be overweight by third-grade (Gable et al., 2007). The excessive TV
viewing seems to decrease time spent in physical activity, and also decrease resting
metabolic rate, yet increase food intake (Robinson, 2001). In contrast, children who
were assigned to a television reduction group in an intervention study showed

378 Suk-Ho Lee et al

significant decrease in body mass index and fatness (Gable et al., 2007). Swinbum
and Shelly (2008) and also demonstrated that there was a reductioti of body mass
index (0.45 kg/m^) per hour of TV viewing also decreased. However, based on
other studies, TV viewing did not corresfXDnd to children's weight status
(Vandewater et al., 2004; Choi et al., 2006). This study also did not coincide with
previous studies identifying a positive relationship between being obese and TV
viewing, and found the obese group in this study did not to be influenced by media
viewing. Consequently, the relationship between being obese and media viewing is
extremely complicated and not clear. Possible mechanisms explaining the association
between being obese and TV viewing increase food intake while watching TV and
lowers physical activity.
It is possible for an energy imbalance to cause pdiatrie diseases threatening
children's healthy lifestyles. Children tend to enjoy consuming high caloric foods
with excessive fat and sugar. In this study, there was no significant difference in
total amount of caloric intake between groups, but percentage of fat calorie in the
obese group was significantly higher than that in the control group. This implies
that high fat caloric consumption may contribute to being obese. The Dietary
Guidelines for Americatis encourages children to consume 25% to 35% of the fat
calorie from the total amount of caloric intake (U.S. Department of Health and
Htiman Services, 2005). However, only 2% of school-aged children have shown to
follow these guidelines (Vadiveloo et al., 2009). In this study, the obese group
showed a higher consumption of the total amount of caloric intake (2,398. 3 Kcal
302) than the recommended intake (2,000 Kcal) by the Dietary Guidelines for
Americans (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2005). Furthermore,
percentage of fat calorie (39.83% 2.2) in the obese group was in excess of the
Dietary Guideline for Americans (25-35 %), whereas the control group (33.62%
1.5) was in the recommended range.
Even though genetic factors play a significant role in inducing overweight or
obesity, excessive food intake and a sedentary lifestyle also are strong contributing
components (Gable et al., 2007). Moreover, frequent TV viewing makes children
increase snacking and constimption of food high in fat because TV programs
broadcast aggressive advertising and marketing of high calorie food (Page, 2007). In
this study, media viewing in the obese group might not affect direct aspects of
dietary patterns. Time spent media viewing in the obese group was not higher than
that of the control group. Therefore, this study found a component causing

Fat Caloric Ccnsumption and Low Levels of

Ftiysical Activity May Induce ftevalerce of Obesity in Hspianic American Children

379

overweight/obesity was more likely to be due to an effect of higher fat caloric

intake. A study of dietary patterns showed unhealthy dietary patterns in 5-year-old
children including more fast foods consumption elevated the risk of overweight
(Shin et a l , 2007), which supported the result of this study.
There have been numerous studies showing that low levels of physical activity
closely relate to obesity and have a similar relationship with chronic diseases as
mentioned already, including diabetes, coronary heart disease, and high blood
pressure, etc. (Hamilton et al, 2007). Adopting a formal exercise program or simply
becoming more active is valuable to bum much fat, increase energy expenditure,
and maintain weight loss. Thus, physical activity plays a significant role in
preventing children from becoming obese.
This study reported that children in the obese group had lower levels of physical
activity than those of the control group, meaning that lower levels of physical
activity may give rise to being obese. As this study was conducted in the summer,
it was considered that the levels of physical activity in both groups were relatively
low (control group: 5,565 stepys 332 and obese group: 3,612 steps 432).
However, even with above consideration, average steps per day from both groups
were significantly lower than values (12,270 + 3,350) from similar age group
(McCormack et al, 2011). A value of 10,000 steps/day is gaining popularity with
the media and in practice. However, 10,(XX) steps/day as a universal step goal is
probably too low for children (Tudor-Locke & Bassett, 2004). Based on pedometerdetermined physical activity (Tudor-Locke & Bassett, 2004), the obese and control
groups in this study could be categorized in a "sedentary lifestyle" and "low
active", respectively. It is recommended that optimal cut points of daily steps are
12,000 for younger males 5-16 years old (Dollman et al, 2010).
The obese group may be affected by low levels of physical activity along with
high f)ercentage of fat calorie intake despite no difference in media viewing. In a
large pan, the levels of physical activity in children are determined by parents or
legal guardians (Gable et al, 2007); thus, it is suggested that intervention of parents
or legal guardians should be examined further to identify causes of factors affecting
obese children.
In the end, it is important to mention that this study has a few limitations. First,
the conclusions in this study may not be fully accepted because a cross-sectional
design was applied to this study. Second, the dietary patterns were not measured
while the subjects watched TV or used video games and the computer. Third, the

380 Suk-Ho Lee et al

levels of physical activity of the subjects was limited because this study was
conducted in a specific period (summer season) which may restrict the subjects'
out-door activities. Fotuth, we used skin fold method for measuring % body fat.
Even though, one person who has more than 20 years of experience completed all
measurements using research grade caliper, the validity and reliability may be a
limitations. Also, this study used equation developed for black and white children
by (Slaughter et al., 1988) because age specific equation for Hispanic American
children is not available. Lastly, other factors (e.g., level of parents' intervention)
affecting media viewing, weight status, and dietary pattems were not considered.

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