Obesity during adolescent development is a growing concern among Latino youth in the United States, with early identification and intervention critical for preventing serious health comorbidities. To address this problem, cumulative risk models (CRMs) have emerged as valuable tools for identifying youth at elevated risk for obesity. The present study assessed 119 Latino youth (ages 10-12) and their parents to examine how cumulative risk models predict obesity in youth, and whether protective daily routines (sleep duration, bedtime, family mealtimes, and physical activity) moderate this association. Results demonstrated that the CRM predicted higher obesity levels, with physiological risks having the strongest association with obesity outcomes. Adolescents with more protective factors tended to have lower BMIs, with health sleep routines providing the greatest benefit to those at higher levels of cumulative risk. This study highlights the importance of protective routines among Latino youth, particularly for individuals most at risk for developing obesity.

Authors:
Benjamin Seely, Brigham Young University, United States
Bethany Lundy, Brigham Young University, United States
Joshua Castro, Brigham Young University, United States
Tanya Chalk, Brigham Young University, United States
Zoe Taylor, Purdue University, United States
Blake Jones, Brigham Young University, United States

About the Presenter(s)
Benjamin David Seely is a PhD student in Psychology who is interested in child and adolescent health outcomes. He is currently researching how different risk factors, such as obesity, can impact the short- and long-term health of children.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminseely

See this presentation on the full schedule – Tuesday Schedule

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