Predictors of Overweight and Obesity in Early Care and Education Teachers during COVID-19

Susan B. Sisson (), Adrien Malek-Lasater, Timothy G. Ford, Diane Horm and Kyong-Ah Kwon
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Susan B. Sisson: Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 1200 N. Stonewall Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA
Adrien Malek-Lasater: Department of Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum, College of Education and Human Services, University of North Florida, 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
Timothy G. Ford: Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, The University of Oklahoma, 4502 E. 41st Street, 4W101, Tulsa, OK 74135, USA
Diane Horm: Early Childhood Education Institute, The University of Oklahoma-Tulsa, 4502 E. 41st Street, Tulsa, OK 74135, USA
Kyong-Ah Kwon: Department of Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum, University of Oklahoma, 820 Van Vleet, Norman, OK 73019, USA

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 3, 1-16

Abstract: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to determine individual, sociocultural, policy, and economic predictors of overweight/obesity in early care and education (ECE) teachers to identify modifiable opportunities to enhance the health of this critical workforce. ECE teachers (n = 1434) in the U.S. completed an online survey in late spring to mid-summer 2020. Teachers self-reported height and weight; body mass index (BMI) and weight status were calculated. Teachers reported micro-environment variables including age, race, gender, obesogenic lifestyle behaviors, well-being, food security, personal health, stress, job stress, type of ECE, COVID-19 teaching modality, and age of children in the classroom. Logistic regression predicting overweight/obesity and linear regression predicting BMI were conducted. Teachers with more years of teaching experience (OR: 1.022: 95% CI 1.005, 1.039) and higher consumption of fast food (2.038: 1.310, 3.169) had higher odds of overweight/obesity. Teachers with higher levels of education (0.58: 0.407, 0.828) and higher physical health (0.836: 0.775, 0.902) had lower odds of overweight/obesity. Other variables were not associated with overweight/obesity. Variables significant in logistic regression were also associated with higher BMI. Additionally, Native American race (β = 2.467 SE = 1.206) and sedentary hours/day (β = 0.152 SE = 0.075) were associated with higher BMI. Implications for enhancing workplace health for these ECE teachers are emerging.

Keywords: early childhood teachers; teacher well-being; obesity; teacher health; COVID-19; social-ecological model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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