Individual, family, and environmental factors related to park use intent and fast food consumption among Latino adults and their children in San Diego

Title from first page of PDF file (viewed November 19, 2010)Includes bibliographical references (p. 44-50)Childhood obesity rates have substantially increased in the last thirty years, especially in Latinos, The Latino population is the fastest growing minority population in California, and with a significantly elevated prevalence of obesity it is important to understand the social determinants of obesity among Latinos. To better understand the predictors of overweight and obesity rates, varying levels of the environment, including, individual, family and community environment and their impact on nutrition and physical activity must be considered. This cross-sectional analysis used baseline data from the physical activity intervention Cambios con Fe/Changes with Faith, surveying 75 participants from 5 churches in Chula Vista, San Diego. This paper examines the association between the individual child, the parents' role in physical activity and diet choices, the community environment, park use, and fast food consumption. This study will expand on the existing research examining the association between the varying levels of a child's environment and the impact the environment has on the development of childhood obesity