Date of Graduation

12-2017

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Nursing

Advisor/Mentor

Vowell-Johnson, Kelly

Committee Member/Reader

Scott, Allison

Committee Member/Second Reader

Agana, Carol

Abstract

A child’s wellbeing is influenced by many factors related to the environment they are raised in. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between a child’s social and economic factors and his or her health. A convenience sample of 588 2nd and 4th grade children was taken from three elementary schools in Springdale Independent School District. Health status was represented by calculations of each child’s body mass index (BMI) and number of days counted absent from school. Socioeconomic and demographic factors examined include the child’s grade level, gender, ethnicity, number of parents over the household, number of parents employed, and income level as determined by participation in the free or reduced-price lunch program. Individual health condition was assessed based on BMI score and number of days absent from class. Correlations are analyzed among these variables, separated by grade level. The results show that children of non-white ethnicity and of lower-income homes are more likely to be overweight or obese. These results may serve to assist schools in providing targeted resources to children who display poor health outcomes.

Keywords

BMI; obesity; income; Springdale

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