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Abstract

<p><b>OBJECTIVE: </b>The objective of this study is to use a machine learning approach to identify predictors of BMI percentile among Hispanic/Latino youth in the United States.</p><p><b>METHODS: </b>Participants were Hispanic/Latino 8- to 16-year-olds from the cross-sectional Study of Latino Youth (SOL Youth; n = 1466). A supervised machine learning approach, LASSO regression, was used with BMI percentile as the outcome. A total of 102 predictor variables were examined spanning parent and child demographics; health behaviors; and psychological, sociocultural, and environmental measures.</p><p><b>RESULTS: </b>Mean age of participants was 12 years, 50% were female, and 44.2% were of Mexican heritage. A 36-variable LASSO model yielded the optimum mean squared error (R  = 0.42), but a 10-variable solution was selected for parsimony. Six associations were significant. Dieting 1-4 or ≥ 5 times/year (β = 8.69 [95% CI: 10.25 to 14.52] or 10.86 [95% CI: 13.14 to 18.33], respectively) and having a parent of Dominican heritage (β = 3.48 [95% CI: 4.05 to 9.90]) or with obesity (β = 2.96 [95% CI: 2.99 to 6.85]) were associated with a higher BMI percentile. Perception of being smaller than the "ideal" body size (β = -1.65 [95% CI: -6.84 to -1.35]) and use of the food/activity parenting practice Control (β = -1.17 [95% CI: -3.63 to -1.69]) were associated with a lower BMI percentile.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS: </b>Family-based approaches and focusing on dieting and body image satisfaction may be important for weight management in Hispanic/Latino youth.</p>

Year of Publication
2026
Journal
Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)
Volume
34
Issue
1
Number of Pages
209-218
Date Published
01/2026
ISSN Number
1930-739X
DOI
10.1002/oby.70089
Alternate Journal
Obesity (Silver Spring)
PMID
41402991
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