Children's and Families' Determinants of Health-Related Behaviors in an Italian Primary School Sample: The "Seven Days for My Health" Project.

Francesco Sanmarchi,Emilia Guberti,Domenico Tiso,Francesco Esposito,Susan Scrimaglia,Marilisa Rangone,Filippo Ferretti,Sofia Marini,Antonello Lorenzini,Laura Dallolio,Alice Masini,Francesca Celenza,Fabrizio Arrichiello,Angelo Capodici

doi:10.3390/ijerph19010460

Abstract

Childhood obesity is an established health problem, and there is a growing need for health promotion interventions focused on healthy behaviors in collaboration with parents and schools. The Mediterranean diet (MD) could help to tackle obesity, but it is essential to maintain a good level of physical activity (PA) and limit time spent in sedentary activities (ST). To explore family determinants, adherence to the MD and PA levels as potential predictors of a child’s health-related behaviors, we performed a cross-sectional analysis of 368 Italian primary school children with a mean age of 8.95 years (SD = 1.43). Data were collected from May to June 2017 using a weekly diary, an interactive tool to assess the child’s and parents’ lifestyle. The child’s degree of adherence to the MD was calculated using the KIDMED index. Adherence to the MD was high, medium and poor in 5.2%, 62.5% and 32.3% of children, respectively. Higher maternal educational level was positively associated with children’s MD and PA (p < 0.05) and negatively correlated to ST. Maternal fruit and vegetable consumption was positively related to the MD and negatively related to ST (p < 0.05). Maternal PA was positively associated with the MD (p < 0.001). Paternal PA, and fruit and vegetable consumption, were positively associated with children’s PA (p < 0.05). Our results underline the need for future studies, mainly focused on school-based and family-based interventions, to promote healthy lifestyles and nutritional habits.

Highlights

The prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents is an established health problem [1], in high income countries, as defined by the World Bank [2].Childhood obesity represents a major issue in these countries [3,4], where it has increased considerably over the last 30 years [5].Suitable interventions are needed to fight this global obesity pandemic
The results show that both the mother’s (p = 0.034) and father’s (p = 0.021) Body Mass Index (BMI) are positively related to a higher chance for the children of having an overweight/obesity condition (Table S2)
This could be explained by the higher physical activity levels and lower screen time recorded in our population in comparison to the ones reported in the 2019 “OKkio alla Salute”

Summary

Introduction

The prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents is an established health problem [1], in high income countries, as defined by the World Bank [2].Childhood obesity represents a major issue in these countries [3,4], where it has increased considerably over the last 30 years [5].Suitable interventions are needed to fight this global obesity pandemic. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents is an established health problem [1], in high income countries, as defined by the World Bank [2]. Childhood obesity represents a major issue in these countries [3,4], where it has increased considerably over the last 30 years [5]. Suitable interventions are needed to fight this global obesity pandemic. There is a need for a cultural shift in terms of food choice, and reconciliation of the idea of.

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Discussion

Conclusion