Prevalence Of Obesity In Adolescents Research Articles

Effects of Responsiveness and Responsibility Parenting Factors on Family Mealtime Outcomes in Overweight African American Adolescents

Background/Objectives: Family meals have been shown to be an important protective factor for positive health outcomes. This study assessed the associations of parenting factors with family mealtime among overweight African American adolescents over a period of 4 months. It was hypothesized that increases in warm and responsive parenting (parental responsiveness, parental responsibility) would be associated with increased frequency and quality of family mealtimes, while more demanding and controlling parenting (parental demandingness, parental monitoring) would be associated with a reduced frequency and quality of family mealtimes over time. Methods: Data from baseline to 16 weeks were collected from 241 African American adolescent–parent dyads (adolescent: Mage = 12.8 ± 1.7 years; 64% female; MBMI%= 96.6 ± 4.2) that participated in the Families Improving Together (FIT) for Weight Loss randomized controlled trial. Results: Multilevel models revealed significant positive main effects of parental responsiveness and parental responsibility (p < 0.05) on the increased frequency of family meals (p < 0.01). Significant two-way interactions also showed that parental responsiveness (p < 0.05) predicted improved quality of family mealtimes, whereas parental demandingness (p < 0.01) predicted reduced quality of family mealtimes from baseline to 16 weeks. Conclusions: Results from this study have important implications for African American adolescent obesity prevention and future family-based intervention program guidelines.

Screen time and obesity prevalence in adolescents: an isotemporal substitution analysis.

We examined the associations between screen time and adolescent obesity and the associations of reallocating screen time to other activities using isotemporal substitution models. Understanding the association between screen time and obesity may provide additional insights into effective obesity prevention strategies in adolescents. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 5,180 adolescents (4th and 7th grade students) from the Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey 2018. Participants reported their height, weight, and average time spent watching television, using computer, using smartphone, and other after-school activities. Obesity was defined as BMI-for-age and -sex ≥ 95th percentile based on the 2017 Korean National Growth Charts. We performed multivariable logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations between screen time and obesity prevalence, adjusting for potential confounders. Prolonged smartphone use (≥ 180 vs. <60m/d: OR [95% CI] = 2.75 [2.06, 3.68]) was associated with a higher obesity prevalence. Television watching (≥ 120 vs. <60min/d) was positively associated with obesity prevalence among 4th grade students (2.09 [1.51, 2.89]) but the association was not observed among 7th grade students (0.97 [0.63, 1.49]). One-hour increments of any non-screen time activities, with a simultaneous 1-hour decrease in combined screen time, were associated with a lower obesity prevalence (physical activity: 0.75 [0.65, 0.85]; sleeping: 0.69 [0.62, 0.78]; hanging out with friends: 0.80 [0.71, 0.89]; reading: 0.82 [0.69, 0.97]; studying: 0.84 [0.78, 0.90]; chatting with parents: 0.89 [0.88, 0.98]). Our data suggest that public health strategies that reduce screen time and increase time for non-screen time activities, such as physical activity, may be effective in lowering adolescent obesity prevalence.

Relationship between Gadget Use, Sleep Patterns, Stress and the Incidence of Central Obesity in Adolescents in Jambi City

Obesity is a condition in which the body has excess body weight as measured by several measurements. The accumulation of fat in the body's subcutaneous tissue, or under the skin, around organs, and sometimes even in the tissues of those organs, is a sign of obesity. In the last five years, the prevalence of adolescent obesity in Indonesia has almost doubled. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors associated with the incidence of central obesity in adolescents in Jambi City. This descriptive quantitative research used a cross-sectional study. In this study, the Solvin formula was used to calculate the sample size, which consisted of 96 adolescents living in the working area of ??the Putri Ayu health center in 2024. Data collection used a questionnaire. Data processing was univariate and bivariate analysis. The analysis used was chi-square. The results showed that there was no relationship between the use of gadgets (p=0.219) with the incidence of central obesity in adolescents there was a relationship between sleep patterns (p = 0.000), stress (p = 0.001) with the incidence of central obesity in adolescents in Jambi City. Factors that can cause obesity in adolescents include unhealthy eating habits, it is important to maintain a balanced diet, rich in fiber, and frequently consume fruits and vegetables

Hubungan Aktivitas Fisik dan Durasi Tidur Dengan Status Gizi pada Remaja di SMA Negeri 7 Bandar Lampung Tahun 2024

According to the Indonesian Health Survey (2023), the prevalence data on nutritional status (BMI/U) in children aged 16-18 years consists of very thin 1.8%, thin 5.5%, Normal 84.5%, Overweight 6.4%, Obese 1.8% (SKI, 2023). Bandar Lampung City has a high prevalence of obesity in adolescents. Of the 10 districts in Lampung Province, 3 of them have high obesity problems with a prevalence above 10%, namely: West Lampung Regency 10.3% Bandar Lampung City 11.1% and Metro City 9.9%. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between physical activity and sleep duration with nutritional status in adolescents at State Senior High School 7 Bandar Lampung. This type of research uses the Descriptive Analytical method with a Cross-Sectional approach. The population of this study was all 90 students of class XI IPS at State Senior High School 7 Bandar Lampung. The sampling technique used the random sampling method with a total sample of 82 respondents. The results of the study showed the effect of physical activity on nutritional status with a p-value of 0.024 and no effect of sleep duration on nutritional status with a p-value of 0.908. It is hoped that students will be able to know the knowledge related to the relationship between physical activity and sleep duration on one nutrient so that it can be a positive encouragement in implementing healthy lifestyle habits.

The Effect of a Multidisciplinary Lifestyle Intervention Program on Apelin-12, Vaspin and Resistin Concentrations in Children and Adolescents with Overweight and Obesity.

Background: Obesity in childhood and adolescence has reached epidemic proportions in recent decades. Methods: In the present study, we determined the concentrations of apelin-12, vaspin and resistin in 106 children and adolescents with overweight or obesity before and after the implementation of a multidisciplinary, personalized lifestyle intervention program of diet, sleep and exercise for 1 year. All subjects attended our Center for the Prevention and Management of Overweight and Obesity in Childhood and Adolescence. Results: Following the lifestyle intervention, there were significant decreases in BMI (p < 0.01), apelin-12 (p < 0.05) and resistin (p < 0.01) concentrations, and an increase in vaspin (p < 0.01) concentration. Glucose was the best positive predictor of apelin-12 (b = 0.236, p < 0.05), and osteopontin was the best negative predictor of changes in apelin-12 (b = -0.299, p < 0.05). Vaspin correlated positively with adiponectin (b = 0.29, p < 0.05), while vitamin D (b = 0.621, p < 0.05) was the best positive predictor of vaspin. BMI z score (b = -0.794, p < 0.05), HDL (b = -0.284, p < 0.05) and HbA1C (b = -0.262, p < 0.05) were the best negative predictors of changes in vaspin. BMI z score was the best positive predictor of resistin (b = 0.437, p < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggest that apelin-12, vaspin and resistin correlate with indices of obesity, glucose, lipids and bone metabolism, while interaction with other proteins, such as osteopontin and adiponectin, was also noted. Therefore, apelin-12, vaspin and resistin may be used as biomarkers in children and adolescents with overweight and obesity.

Addressing disparities: A systematic review of digital health equity for adolescent obesity prevention and management interventions.

Adolescence is a high-risk life stage for obesity. Digital strategies are needed to prevent and manage obesity among adolescents. We assessed if digital health interventions are contributing to disparities in obesity outcomes and assessed the adequacy of reporting of digital health equity criteria across four levels of influence within the digital environment. The systematic search was conducted on 10 major electronic databases and limited to randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or cluster-RCTs for prevention or management of obesity among 10-19 year olds. Primary outcome was mean body mass index (BMI), or BMI z-score change. The Adapted Digital Health Equity Assessment Framework was applied to all studies. Thirty-three articles (27 unique studies with 8483 participants) were identified, with only eight studies targeting adolescents from disadvantaged populations. Post-intervention, only three studies reported significantly lower BMI outcomes in the intervention compared to control. Of the 432 digital health equity criteria assessed across 27 studies, 82% of criteria were "not addressed." Studies are not addressing digital health equity criteria or inadequately reporting information to assess if digital health interventions are contributing to disparities in obesity outcomes. Enhanced reporting is needed to inform decision-makers and support the development of equitable interventions to prevent and manage obesity among adolescents.

The Return on Investment for the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood and Adolescent Overweight and Obesity in Beijing: A Modeling Study.

Background: The increasing prevalence of child and adolescent overweight and obesity (CAOAO) in Beijing poses significant health and economic challenges. This study assesses the potential health and economic outcomes of implementing specific interventions to address CAOAO in Beijing. Methods: A deterministic Markov cohort model was used to estimate the impact of five interventions from 2025 to 2115: restrictions on unhealthy food marketing to children, mandatory front of package labeling (FOPL), family-based nutrition and exercise education, school-based nutritional health education, and nutritional counseling in primary healthcare. The model evaluated societal costs, healthcare savings, wages, and economic productivity in adulthood, calculating the return on investment (ROI) for each intervention and their combined effect. Result: Without intervention, Beijing is projected to experience a loss of 13.4 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) due to CAOAO. The health and economic impact of childhood obesity in Beijing is projected to be CNY 14.6 trillion (USD 2.1 trillion), or a lifetime loss of CNY 6.8 million (USD 0.96 million) per affected child, exceeding the sum of Beijing's GDP from 2021 to 2023. Restrictions on unhealthy food marketing to children and nutrition counseling in primary healthcare are projected to yield the highest returns, with benefits accruing within one year of implementation. Owing to the substantial upfront costs, including personnel, materials, and training, school-based and family-based interventions require a longer time horizon to realize significant health and economic benefits. Conclusions: Effective management of CAOAO in Beijing demands a multifaceted approach. The combination of restrictions on unhealthy food marketing to children, mandatory front of package labeling, nutrition counseling in primary healthcare, school-based intervention, and family-based intervention presents the most substantial health and economic returns. This comprehensive strategy aligns with global best practices and addresses the unique challenges faced by Beijing in combating childhood obesity.

An innovative educational approach to teach high school students the physiological mechanisms and nutrition concepts associated with the development of obesity.

An interdisciplinary team-teaching session was introduced to high school students who participated in the Oakland University William Beaumont Future Physician Summer Enrichment Program. The rising prevalence of adolescent obesity necessitates innovative educational strategies that effectively engage high school students in understanding the complex physiologic mechanisms and nutrition concepts underlying its development. This submission presents a session that is designed to integrate the physiological concepts and nutrition that are associated with the development of obesity. Foundational information about the different food ingredients and physiology of the gastrointestinal organ system followed by concepts associated with the development of obesity and its complications were introduced. The session was delivered using combined educational approaches such as a dialogical-narrative approach and hands-on application activities by two discipline experts, physiology and nutrition. This innovative approach was well received, as evidenced by high satisfaction rates among participants. While direct measures of critical thinking and practical skills development were not captured, the positive feedback suggests that students appreciated the engaging, hands-on application of theoretical concepts. The sessions fostered an awareness of personal health responsibilities, with students actively participating and connecting learned material with practical scenarios. We believe that using combined educational approaches in interdisciplinary team-teaching sessions promotes inclusiveness and interactive engagement and enhances long-life learning.NEW & NOTEWORTHY An interdisciplinary team-teaching session was introduced to high school students who participated in the Oakland University William Beaumont Future Physician Summer Enrichment Program. The session aimed to integrate physiological concepts and nutrition that are associated with the development of obesity. The session was delivered using combined educational approaches including a dialogical-narrative approach and hands-on application activity that are guided by combined learning theories such as dialogism, narrative, theories of engagement, and multimedia active learning.

Weight Management Package Based on Knowledge, Attitude, Behavior, and Barriers of Obese Youth in China

This study explored the knowledge, attitudes, behaviors and barriers of obese adolescents in Erqi District, Zhengzhou City, China, in terms of weight loss management. The study adopted a cross-sectional design, collected data through a questionnaire survey, and used statistical analysis methods to explore the relationship between these factors and their association with socio-demographic characteristics. The study found that participants generally had misconceptions about health knowledge, had a negative attitude towards weight, rarely adopted weight-loss behaviors, and faced some barriers to health management. The study revealed a negative correlation between health knowledge and attitudes, a finding that challenges traditional ideas and suggests that simply increasing health knowledge may not be sufficient to change attitudes and behaviors. In addition, the study found that economic factors had a small effect on health-related dimensions, while BMI had a significant effect on knowledge and behavior dimensions. These findings highlight the need to consider the interaction of multiple factors when designing interventions for adolescent obesity, and to fully consider the local socio-cultural context. The results of the study provide a new perspective on understanding the problem of adolescent obesity in China, and also raise questions about current health education and intervention strategies. Future research can further explore the underlying reasons behind these findings, providing a scientific basis for the development of more effective strategies for the prevention and management of adolescent obesity.

Effectiveness of a nurse-led mHealth approach in preventing obesity in adolescents: an intervention study.

Obesity prevention in adolescents is a public health priority given its increasing prevalence and health impact of obesity. To evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention in overweight and obesity using a mHealth app in improving nutritional and sports knowledge, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, physical activity and anthropometric measurements in adolescents. A randomised controlled trial with parallel groups that included 305 adolescents. The app includes the use of effective behavioural strategies to achieve habit change. Primary outcome variables were nutritional and sports knowledge score (GeSNK), adherence to a Mediterranean diet (KidMed) and level of physical activity (PAQ-A). The study included 154 participants in the mHealth group and 151 in the control group. The level of nutritional and sports knowledge was significantly higher in the mHealth group, 47 points versus 42 points. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet improved in both groups, 9 points in the mHealth group versus 8 points in the control group. Physical activity was statistically higher in the intervention group, 160 minutes/week versus 120 minutes/week. The mHealth intervention showed a significant improvement in the level of nutritional and sports knowledge, adherence to the Mediterranean diet and time spent on physical activity.

Risk factors for exogenous-constitutional obesity and possibilities of its prevention in children and adolescents

The problem of obesity becomes more and more urgent due to its rising incidence and unfavourable effects on health of both children and adults. Various factors leading to an increased energy consumption while its output is reduced at different periods of life (from conception to adulthood) are considered in the article. Different ways of exogenous-constitutional obesity prevention in children and adolescents are described. Influence of phones/television/computers on the formation of hypodynamia and inadequate nutrition which can result in an excess body weight and obesity is characterized. The significance of behavioral response in the pathogenesis of obesity which should be considered while developing preventive methods is stressed. Thus, the problem of obesity requires further studies and discussion.

The association between parental body mass index and the risk of adolescent obesity

This study aimed to examine the prevalence of adolescent obesity in urban areas and the potential association with parental body mass index (BMI). A cross-sectional design was used and participants were selected from institutions of higher education in Jakarta City. Anthropometric data were obtained by trained volunteers while other variables were acquired through a self-administered questionnaire completed using a Google online form. Among the 420 questionnaires distributed, 370 (88%) were retrieved and completed. Data were analyzed by bivariate and multivariate analysis using chi-square and logistic regression adjusted for lifestyle covariates. The results showed that 59.65% and 63.16% of participants had a father or mother who was overweight and obese. The tendency to acquire obesity was higher when the father was obese compared to the mother (OR=1.42; 95% CI=0.92-2.19). A correlation was found between parental BMI and overweight/obesity in adolescents, with the father being a stronger predictor than the mother. Although there was no significant association, this study underscored the significance of adolescent obesity and overweight as a public health issue, suggesting the need for urgent preventive measures.

The effect of health literacy-grounded web-based education on nutrition and exercise behaviours in adolescents: A randomized controlled trial.

The research was conducted to measure the effect of health literacy-grounded web-based education program on health literacy, nutrition and exercise behaviours in adolescents. The increasing prevalence of obesity in adolescents is explained by a sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diet. Health literacy is essential for adolescents to maintain their healthy behaviours. The research was conducted as a parallel group randomized controlled trial. The study was completed by 114 adolescents (experimental = 42, control = 72). The Personal Information Form, the Health Literacy Scale for School-Age Children and the Nutrition and Exercise Subscales were used to collect data. A web-based education program was implemented. Two-way mixed design ANOVA with Bonferroni test was used to examine the group, time and group*time interaction of the measurements. There was no statistically significant difference between the experimental and control groups regarding health literacy level, nutrition and exercise behaviours pre-test mean scores (p > 0.05). In the post-test, the mean scores of health literacy and nutrition behaviours in the experimental group were higher than the control group (p < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in exercise behaviours (p > 0.05). The power and effect size in mean scores changes for health literacy (99.8%, η2 = 0.039) and nutrition (99.8%, η2 = 0.039) were moderate. The study concluded that health literacy-grounded web-based education program increased the health literacy levels of adolescents and improved their nutritional behaviours; however, there was no sufficient change in exercise behaviours.

Weight excess among high-school students: Relation with mental health and sociodemographic factors.

The escalating prevalence of adolescent obesity represents a complex public health challenge, influenced by interactions of environmental, socio-economic, and behavioral factors. Recent studies reveal a surge in addictive substance use among adolescents, with non-substance addictions. Overweight adolescents are particularly susceptible to risky behaviors. Tunisia is not exempt from this issue, facing a rapidly increasing prevalence. Our work aimed to assess the prevalence of obesity among adolescents and to explore the connections between sociodemographic factors, mental health, and overweight in this demographic group. A cross-sectional study was led among sample of Tunisian high school adolescents from Sousse. We enrolled study participants through proportional stratified sampling. Our study included 1399students, predominantly female, with an average age of 17±1.5 years. The average BMI (Body Mass Index) was 22.7±4.1 kg/m². According to the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF), 20.4% were overweight, and 7% were obese, resulting in an overall weight excess prevalence of 27.4%. Girls exhibited a higher weight excess prevalence compared to boys. Multivariate analysis identified factors associated with overweight and obesity, including maternal self-employment(aOR=2.13,[1.35-3.35];p<0.001), regular physical activity (aOR=0.61,[0.47-0.8];p<0.001), internet usage ≥2 hours (aOR=0.70,[0.50-0.99];p=0.045), daily fruit-vegetable consumption (aOR=1.51,[1.15-1.97]; p=0.003), possible alexithymia (aOR=1.55,[1.07-2.22];p=0.018), probable anxiety (aOR=1.28,[0.87-1.89]; p=0.007), very probable anxiety (aOR=1.61,[1.14-2.2]; p=0.037), and problematic Facebook-use (aOR=0.67,[0.50-0.89]; p=0.006). Understanding factors tied to excess weight in our social and cultural context is crucial in shaping effective public health strategies. Interventions should adopt a multisectoral approach specifically targeting working mothers within the adolescent's socio-familial environment. It is fundamental also to address mental health concerns, with a particular focus on alexithymia and anxiety.

Preoperative Feeding Fortification Among Infants with Congenital Heart Disease is Associated with Higher Growth Velocity in the First 30 Days Post-repair and Lower BMI Percentile for Age at 10 Years: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

It remains unclear how preoperative nutrition fortification impacts postoperative growth trajectories and nutritional status among infants with congenital heart disease. A single center retrospective cohort study was performed to evaluate measures of growth among patients who underwent cardiac repair at 0-18months of age for atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, atrioventricular septal defect, or tetralogy of Fallot. Cohorts were analyzed at 0-30 and 31-60days post-repair as well as at 2, 5, and 10years of age. Records of 24 patients who received fortified nutrition and 60 patients who received unfortified nutrition preoperatively were reviewed. Those with fortified nutrition had higher growth velocities in the first 30days post-repair compared to those with unfortified nutrition: 28.4 (23.8-83.3) grams per day versus 16.7 (7.1-21.4) grams per day, p = 0.004. Weight percentile for age was higher in the unfortified group at 2, 5, and 10years of age (p = 0.02, p = 0.045, and p = 0.01). Body mass index (BMI) percentile for age was higher in the unfortified group at 5 and 10years of age (p = 0.045 and p = 0.02) with a trend toward higher prevalence of either overweight or obesity compared to the fortified group (p = 0.13). reoperative nutrition fortification among infants with congenital heart disease is associated with higher growth velocity in the first 30days post-repair and lower BMI percentile for age at 10years. Further studies are needed to evaluate the association between preoperative nutrition fortification and postoperative outcomes, nutritional status, and prevalence of obesity in adolescence and adulthood.

Nutrition and Health in Arab Adolescents (NaHAR): Study protocol for the determination of ethnic-specific body fat and anthropometric cut-offs to identify metabolic syndrome.

The prevalence of adolescent obesity in the Middle-East is considered among the highest in the world. Obesity in adolescents is associated with several cardiometabolic abnormalities, the constellation of which is referred to as the metabolic syndrome (MetS). This multi-country cross-sectional study aims to determine the optimal cut-off values for body fat (BF); body mass index (BMI) z-score; waist circumference (WC) percentile, and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) for the prediction of MetS among adolescents from Kingdom of Saudi-Arabia (KSA), Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. A secondary objective is to examine the validity of Bioelectrical Impendence Vector Analysis (BIVA) in estimating BF against the deuterium dilution technique (DDL). In each country, a sample of 210 adolescents will be recruited. Data collection will include demographics, socioeconomic, lifestyle and dietary data using a multi-component questionnaire; anthropometric measurements will be obtained and body composition will be assessed using the DDL and BIVA; blood pressure and biochemical assessment will be performed for the identification of the MetS. Receiver operating characteristic analyses will be undertaken to determine optimal cut-off values of BMI, WC, MUAC and BF in identifying those with MetS. Odds ratios (OR) and their respective 95% confidence interval (CI) for the association of the anthropometric measurements with MetS will be computed based on multiple logistic regression analysis models. The Bland and Altman approach will be adopted to compare BIVA against the reference DDL method for the determination of body composition parameters. This study responds to the need for ethnic-specific anthropometric cut-offs for the identification of excess adiposity and associated cardiometabolic risks in the adolescent population. The adoption of the generated cut-offs may assist policy makers, public health professionals and clinical practitioners in providing ethnic-specific preventive and curative strategies tailored to adolescents in the region.

Childhood obesity - risk factors and prevention strategies

Introduction and purpose: Obesity is one of the most serious health challenges in modern society. Over the last 40 years, the number of obese school-age children has increased tenfold. This not only has significant consequences for physical health, but also affects psychosocial aspects and the quality of life of the young generation. The aim of this study is to conduct a comprehensive review of the literature on obesity among children and adolescents, focused on identifying the main risk factors and analyzing effective forms of prevention. Materials and methods: A review of the literature available in the "PubMed" database and books was conducted. The search was performed by using the following keywords: "childhood obesity", "childhood obesity risk factors", “childhood obesity prevention” State of knowledge: The risk factors for obesity in children and adolescents include genetic factors, endocrine diseases, improper diet, low physical activity, low socioeconomic status, stress, psychological factors, short sleep time, medications, hypothalamic obesity and H. pylori. As part of the prevention of obesity in children and adolescents, it is recommended to develop appropriate habits in children and adolescents. The influence of parents on health behaviors in children is important. Top-down activities such as health campaigns and legal regulations also have a significant impact. Summary: Due to research conducted over the years, awareness of obesity risk factors has increased. To effectively prevent this disease, an integrated approach is necessary, taking into account both education and changes in the social environment. Implementing these strategies requires cooperation at local, regional, national and international levels.

Insights from Multiple Stakeholders Regarding Adolescent Obesity in China: An Exploratory Qualitative Study.

With a significant increase in the obesity epidemic in China, addressing adolescent obesity should be highlighted as a priority. The current qualitative study aims to explore the perspectives of key stakeholders regarding adolescent obesity, providing guidance for developing effective obesity interventions for Chinese adolescents. A total of 12 focus group discussions were convened with a range of representative stakeholders including adolescents (n = 37), parents (n = 28), and school staff (n = 21) from sample schools. Semi-structured topic guides were used for data collection. All data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically. From multiple stakeholder perspectives, we finally identified 3 overarching themes (Understanding adolescent obesity, Key healthy lifestyles, and Barriers to obesity prevention practices) and 8 sub-themes. While participants had mixed perceptions of status and prevalence of adolescent obesity, all acknowledged the serious health consequences associated with it. As significant modifiable risk factors, unhealthy diet and physical activity were identified to be prevalent among Chinese teenagers and lead to excessive weight gain. However, a variety of individual, environmental and sociocultural factors hindered the implementation of healthy lifestyles, affecting adolescent obesity prevention and control. Given adolescent obesity is a complex, multifactorial and multilevel public issue, comprehensive lifestyle interventions are recommended that synergistically engage multiple stakeholders across key communities to fight the ongoing obesity epidemic.

Development, Validity, and Reliability of a Food Frequency Questionnaire Eliciting the Dietary Advanced Glycation End Product Consumption among Obese Adolescents Aged 10-19 Years.

Obesity has reached an alarming rate affecting all categories of the population. A tremendous rise in obesity has been observed in children and adolescents. In India, the prevalence of adolescent obesity is more than 30% of the population. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are a diverse group of compounds formed by the amalgamation of glucose and a protein moiety. These glycated compounds are found in processed foods subjected to high-temperature cooking techniques contributing to the formation of dietary AGEs (dAGEs). The enormous consumption of dAGE attributes to the development of metabolic diseases. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) among obese adolescents aged 10-19 years to gauge their dAGE consumption. This questionnaire was developed from previous literature (15 articles), validated using the content validity ratio (CVR) by Lawshe, and estimated for reliability using the test-retest method. A pilot study was done among 50 obese adolescents aged 10-19 years, who completed the questionnaire twice, with a gap of 15 days. A total of 54 items were validated (CVR ≥0.99) from the 60 food items. A reliability score >0.7 was observed, and a significant correlation (P ≥ 0.01) between the test and retest results was determined. Hence, this FFQ is reliable and can be used for future research studies to elicit dAGE consumption among obese adolescents.

Effectiveness of utilizing step-monitoring devices to prevent and treat obesity in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Children and adolescents who are overweight and obese represent a growing public health issue. The use of step-monitoring devices as an intervention tool may be a simple, cost-effective, and easily replicable solution for addressing obesity in children and adolescents. No prior systematic reviews have evaluated the effectiveness of utilizing step-monitoring devices as an intervention method for obesity in children and adolescents. Previous studies on using step-monitoring devices to prevent and treat obesity in children and adolescents were identified in the following databases: Web of Science, EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane Library, SPORTDiscus, and SCOPUS. The search period for each database ranged from the year of their inception to 8 March 2023 (updated in June 2024). Meta-analyses were performed for mean differences (MDs) in body mass index (BMI), BMI z-score (BMI-Z), body fat, waist circumference, and body weight. From 12,907 relevant records, 23 studies were included in this meta-analysis. The included studies were mainly at low risk of bias, except for blinding. Step-monitoring device-based interventions had significant effects in reducing BMI-Z (MD -0.06; 95% CI -0.10 to -0.02), body fat (MD -0.95%; 95% CI -1.35 to -0.54), and body weight (MD -1.23 kg; 95% CI -2.36 to -0.10). However, there was no significant effect on BMI (MD -0.16 kg/m2; 95% CI -0.55 to 0.22) and waist circumference (MD -0.33 cm; 95% CI -1.23 to 0.58). Subgroup analyses indicated that participants who were overweight or obese showed greater intervention effects on BMI and BMI-Z compared to participants with normal weight. The programs with an intervention duration of ≤6 months presented a greater intervention effect on BMI-Z than those with an intervention duration of more than 6 months. The programs that established goals had a greater intervention effect on body fat than those that did not. Step-monitoring devices may be an effective and generalizable intervention tool for the prevention and treatment of obesity in children and adolescents. Future studies should further explore how to set step goals and the duration of interventions to achieve better intervention effects.