# Psychosocial Correlates of Childhood Body Mass Index: Racial and Ethnic Differences

## TL;DR

The study finds that different racial and ethnic groups of children have unique psychosocial and socioeconomic factors linked to their body mass index.

## Contribution

The study reveals race/ethnicity-specific psychosocial and socioeconomic correlates of BMI in children, highlighting the need for tailored interventions.

## Key findings

- Non-Latino White children with higher family income and parental education had lower BMI.
- Latino and Asian children showed strong negative associations between family income and BMI.
- Tailored interventions are needed due to significant racial/ethnic differences in BMI correlates.

## Abstract

To examine racial/ethnic differences in the associations of family socioeconomic status (SES), neighborhood SES, and inhibitory control with body mass index (BMI) in 9–10-year-old children using data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study.

This cross-sectional study included a diverse sample of children aged 9–10 years, representing non-Latino White, Black, Latino, Asian, and Other racial/ethnic groups. BMI was the primary outcome. Key predictors were family SES, neighborhood SES, and inhibitory control. Multivariable regression models were stratified by race/ethnicity to identify group-specific associations.

Race/ethnic groups differed in psychosocial correlates of childhood BMI at age 9 and 10. Among non-Latino White children, higher family income (B = −0.086, p < 0.001), higher parental education (B = −0.069, p < 0.001), and living in a married household (B = −0.079, p < 0.001) were associated with lower BMI. Additionally, the presence of healthy food options in the zip code (B = −0.030, p = 0.032) was linked to lower BMI, while lack of planning (B = 0.032, p = 0.030) was associated with higher BMI. For non-Latino Black children, positive urgency (B = −0.068, p = 0.022) was negatively associated with BMI, while other factors such as family SES and neighborhood SES did not show significant associations. For Latino children, higher family income (B = −0.093, p = 0.001) and parental education (B = −0.099, p < 0.001) were associated with lower BMI. In this group, male gender (B = 0.043, p = 0.033) was associated with higher BMI. Among Asian children, higher family income (B = −0.199, p = 0.006) and parental education (B = −0.144, p = 0.037) were significantly associated with lower BMI. For children in the “Other” racial/ethnic category, higher family income (B = −0.101, p = 0.023), living in a married household (B = −0.076, p = 0.026), and higher median income in the zip code (B = −0.083, p = 0.013) were associated with lower BMI. In this group, male children had lower BMI compared to females (B = −0.089, p = 0.001).

The findings highlight substantial racial/ethnic differences in the psychosocial and socioeconomic correlates of BMI in children. There is a need for tailored interventions that target social determinants of childhood high BMI. One size does not fit all.