Risk and protective family factors during childhood on youth violence among African American males: The role of mothers and nonresident fathers

Associations between Paternal Co-residence and Child Health among African American Children

We investigated the associations between paternal co-residence and asthma, obesity, and blood pressure among children aged 3-5 years. Mother/child dyads (N = 250) self-identified as African American or Black. Mothers reported on father's co-residence and child's asthma diagnosis. Height, weight, and blood pressure were measured. Regression models were used to examine paternal co-residence with child health outcomes (i.e., asthma, obesity, and blood pressure). Confounders included maternal and child age, child sex, maternal smoking, and insurance status. Children who lived with their fathers were less likely to have asthma (OR = 0.39, 95% CI 0.18-0.79), though this association was not significant after adjustment for confounders (aOR = 0.47, 95% CI 0.22-1.01). Paternal co-residence was not significantly associated with child obesity (aOR = 0.78, 95% CI 0.35-1.73), systolic (β = 0.57, SE = 1.2, p = .64), or diastolic (β = 1.91, SE = 1.0, p = .07) blood pressure. More research is necessary to understand the diversity of family living situations and how they affect child health.

The Relationships between Childhood Bullying, School Connectedness, and Adolescent Adiposity, the Fragile Families Child and Wellbeing Study

BACKGROUND

School environments are important to consider for children's health. This study aims to determine if childhood peer bullying and school connectedness are associated with adolescent adiposity.

METHODS

A total of 3377 children from the age 9 child interview of the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study had self-reported bullying and school connectedness data at age 9, height and weight measured at ages 9 and 15, and waist circumference was measured during an age 15 home visit. Linear regression models estimated the association between bullying and school connectedness and (1) change in BMI between age 9 and 15, and (2) waist circumference at age 15. Models were stratified by sex.

RESULTS

Girls had larger increases in body mass index (BMI) when experiencing low school connectedness, and students that experienced both bullying and low school connectedness had larger increases in BMI. Girls had larger waist circumferences for increased levels of bullying, low connectedness, and experiencing both.

CONCLUSIONS

School environments may play a role in the development of increased adiposity and there may be gender differences in the types of factors that are important to consider, particularly for central adiposity. Positive and engaging school environments can help support students' development and healthy behaviors.