# Household Poverty and Obesity in Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Report From COG-AALL03N1

## TL;DR

This study finds that children with leukemia living in poverty are more likely to be obese compared to those not in poverty.

## Contribution

The study is the first to show a link between household poverty and obesity risk in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

## Key findings

- Children with ALL in poverty had 1.5-fold greater odds of obesity.
- The association was statistically significant (95% CI = 1.0–2.3, p = 0.04).
- Poverty-stricken children with ALL are identified as a vulnerable group for obesity.

## Abstract

Whether children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) living in household poverty are at an increased risk of obesity remains unknown. We address this gap using data from Children’s Oncology Group study AALL03N1. Study participants reported annual household income, which was used to categorize poverty from year-specific US Census Bureau thresholds. Obesity was determined using height and weight at study enrollment. Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated 1.5-fold greater odds of obesity (95% confidence interval = 1.0–2.3, p = 0.04) among children with ALL living in poverty. These findings identify a vulnerable group at risk of obesity.