Screening for Overweight and Diabetes in Rural Hispanic and Caucasian Fifth-Grade Children

Fifth-grade children were screened for overweight and diabetes and comparisons between Hispanic and Caucasian children in this rural setting are presented. Hispanic children had a significantly higher mean Body Mass Index percentile and waist circumference than Caucasians but blood glucose differences were not significant. Twenty-six percent of all children had slightly elevated glucose levels (100-125 mg per dL) and 2% had elevated levels (equal to or greater than 126 mg per dL) but none of the children were found to have diabetes. There were significant positive correlations between random blood glucose, Body Mass Index percentile and waist circumference. Researchers concluded that a two-step screening process is appropriate.