Children's Lifestyle Research Articles

Longitudinal growth of French singleton children born after in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Body mass index up to 5 years of age

BackgroundThe literature presents conflicting results on the epigenetic effect of in vitro fertilization (IVF) on the short-term and mid-term growth of children. These contradictory results may be related to the use of heterogeneous methodologies and non-longitudinal data. The goal of this study was to compare the body mass index (BMI) of children conceived via IVF and spontaneous conception (SC) children, using longitudinal data from birth to 5 years. MethodsThis study compared 118 singleton children born after in vitro fertilization, with or without intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), selected from a pre-existing single-center cohort to 320 SC children from the same geographic area. BMI and its evolution were analyzed using the mixed-effect model during three periods: before standing acquisition (from birth to 1 year of age), during standing acquisition, and the following period from 2 to 5 years of age. ResultsBMI means were not significantly different between groups regardless of the period, when adjusting for confounding factors related to parents, pregnancy, and children's characteristics and lifestyle. Nevertheless, during the standing acquisition period, children born after IVF-ICSI presented a less significant decrease in BMI (P<0.05). In addition, for each period we identified influencing factors (maternal BMI, level of wealth indicator) associated with BMI. ConclusionIn the study population, the suspected epigenetic influence of IVF reported in the literature was not observed for BMI from birth to 5 years of age. Further investigations need to be conducted to determine if the suspected influence of IVF on adiposity could be expressed through other parameters.

Plant Knowledge in Children Who Inhabit Diverse Socio-Ecological Environments in Northwestern Patagonia

In this study, we analyzed plant knowledge in children living in three environments of northwestern Patagonia. Given the differential socio-ecological circumstances of children's lifestyles that condition their daily activities and perception-action patterns, we hypothesize that their plant knowledge will differ according to their socio-ecological environments. We conducted semi-structured interviews, in which children were asked to mention which plants they knew, what they used them for, how and where they had learned about plants, and whether they gathered or cultivated plants. We interviewed 73 children who were 11 to 12 years old from urban, semi-urban, and rural contexts. Our results showed similarities in the plant knowledge of children inhabiting the same type of socio-cultural environment. Children from rural habitats mentioned a greater diversity of plants, more native species, more plants for medicinal and edible use, and more trees and herbs than children from semi-urban and urban areas. Additi...

Levels and sociodemographic correlates of accelerometer-based physical activity in Irish children: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to explore levels and sociodemographic correlates of physical activity (PA) over 1 week using accelerometer data.MethodsAccelerometer data was collected over 1 week from 1075...

Health-Related Quality of Life and Lifestyle Behavior Clusters in School-Aged Children from 12 Countries

To evaluate the relationship between children's lifestyles and health-related quality of life and to explore whether this relationship varies among children from different world regions. This study used cross-sectional data from the International Study of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and the Environment. Children (9-11 years) were recruited from sites in 12 nations (n = 5759). Clustering input variables were 24-hour accelerometry and self-reported diet and screen time. Health-related quality of life was self-reported with KIDSCREEN-10. Cluster analyses (using compositional analysis techniques) were performed on a site-wise basis. Lifestyle behavior cluster characteristics were compared between sites. The relationship between cluster membership and health-related quality of life was assessed with the use of linear models. Lifestyle behavior clusters were similar across the 12 sites, with clusters commonly characterized by (1) high physical activity (actives); (2) high sedentary behavior (sitters); (3) high screen time/unhealthy eating pattern (junk-food screenies); and (4) low screen time/healthy eating pattern and moderate physical activity/sedentary behavior (all-rounders). Health-related quality of life was greatest in the all-rounders cluster. Children from different world regions clustered into groups of similar lifestyle behaviors. Cluster membership was related to differing health-related quality of life, with children from the all-rounders cluster consistently reporting greatest health-related quality of life at sites around the world. Findings support the importance of a healthy combination of lifestyle behaviors in childhood: low screen time, healthy eating pattern, and balanced daily activity behaviors (physical activity and sedentary behavior). ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01722500.

Sociocultural Influence on Obesity and Lifestyle in Children: A Study of Daily Activities, Leisure Time Behavior, Motor Skills, and Weight Status

Background: Juvenile overweight is increasing, and effective preventive measures are needed. After years of arbitrarily assigning these measures disregarding socioeconomic and/or cultural differences, it has become necessary to tailor interventions more specific to these target groups. Providing data for such an intervention is the objective of this study. Methods: Influencing variables on children's weight status, motor skills and lifestyle have been analyzed among 997 first graders (53.2% male) involved in the Children's Health InterventionaL Trial (CHILT). Results: Median age was 6.9 years; 7.3% were obese, 8.8% were overweight. Children with low socioeconomic status (SES) were more likely to be obese (p = 0.029). Low SES (p ˂ 0.001), migration background (p = 0.001) and low sports activity levels (p = 0.007) contributed most to an increased consumption of television. Migration background (p = 0.003) and male gender (p < 0.001) were the strongest factors in predicting a greater consumption of computer/video games. Children with higher SES (p = 0.02), lower BMI (p = 0.035), and males (p = 0.001) performed better in motor tests. Conclusion: Children with a low SES and migration background were more likely to exhibit unfavorable health behavior patterns, higher BMI scores, and poorer motor skills. Interventions should integrate motivational and targeting strategies and consider cultural and educational differences to address these vulnerable groups.

School children's Lifestyle Behaviours and Their Predictors: Healthy Weight Development Model in Urban Indonesia

Objectives: Child obesity, a major risk factor of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes or heart diseases, has become a major health issue in Indonesia, especially in the wake of economic growth. Nevertheless, child obesity prevention programs and relevant information is limited. Our study aimed to investigate child obesity status, lifestyle behaviours (LSBs) and their predictors, and their structures, in order to develop a model to discuss a collaborative healthy weight development program for schoolchildren in urban Indonesia. There were two objectives of our study: (1) In order to investigate schoolchildren's obesity status, LSBs, and their predictors and (2) In order to examine relationships among schoolchildren's obesity status, LSBs, and their predictors in urban Indonesia. Methods: The design was a cross-sectional study using physical measurement tools and an 82 item selfdeveloped questionnaire based on interviews for 9 to 11 year old school children in 2015. Sampling included 5 schools resulting in 594 eligible students with 579 (97.5%) responding. Collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and a structural equation modeling. The Research Ethics Committee of St. Luke's International University (Approval Number 15-036) approved our study. Results: Physical measurement classified participants 40% as obese or overweight and 35% as underweight. Descriptive statistics revealed limited behaviours and environments in access to snacks, physical activity (PA), weight-monitoring, obesity education, and support. The models by type of schools and by sex (CFI=0.88-0.91) indicated; boys' trouble sleeping (β=-0.18), private schoolchildren's frequency of junk and outside foods (β=-0.18 and -0.19) predicted Body Mass Index. Safe-PA environment (β=0.17-0.48) and family support (β=0.36-0.59) predicted PA LSBs. For girls, PA-peer presence predicted PA LSBs (β=0.88). Conclusion: These findings could help developing the effective obesity-prevention programs such as healthy dietary environment, safe-PA-environment, PA-peer-group support for girls, family-involved dietary-PA interventions in urban Indonesia.

Continuity in the Kindergarten and Primary School in the Implementation of the Contents of Laying the Foundations of Individual Value Attitude to Their Own Health

In the article are highlighted the results of theoretical analysis of continuity in thekindergarten and primary school in the implementation of the contents of laying the foundationsof individual value attitude to their own health. Researcher reveals the pedagogical theories ofscientists to study the problem of succession. For depth scientific analysis and practicalimplementation of the process under study the emphasis is made on identifying scientific aspectsfor developing children's healthy lifestyle

The Influence of Health Behaviours in Childhood on Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder in Adolescence.

Attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents is a global public health burden. Identification of health-related behavioral risk factors including diet quality and physical and sedentary activities for ADHD is important for prioritizing behavioral intervention strategies to improve mental health. This study aimed to examine the association of diet quality, physical activity, and sedentary behaviours in childhood with ADHD throughout adolescence. We linked data from grade five students aged primarily 10 and 11 years old who participated in a population-based lifestyle survey in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia with their administrative health care data. We applied negative binomial regression methods to examine the associations between health behaviours and ADHD. Of the 4875 students, 9.7% had one or more diagnoses of ADHD between the ages of 10/11 and 18 years. The number of primary diagnoses with ADHD was statistically significantly lower among students with better diet quality, higher levels of physical activity, and those that spent less time playing computers and video games (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that health promotion programs aiming to improve children’s diets and active lifestyles may also reduce the public health burden of ADHD.

A multilevel analysis of lifestyle variations in symptoms of acute respiratory infection among young children under five in Nigeria.

BackgroundNigeria has the second highest estimated number of deaths due to acute respiratory infection (ARI) among children under five in the world. A common hypothesis is that the inequitable distribution of socioeconomic resources shapes individual lifestyles and health behaviors, which leads to poorer health, including symptoms of ARI. This study examined whether lifestyle factors are associated with ARI risk among Nigerian children aged less than 5 years, taking individual-level and contextual-level risk factors into consideration.MethodsData were obtained from the nationally representative 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. A total of 28,596 surviving children aged 5 years or younger living in 896 communities were analyzed. We employed two-level multilevel logistic regressions to model the relationship between lifestyle factors and ARI symptoms.ResultsThe multivariate results from multilevel regressions indicated that the odds of having ARI symptoms were increased by a number of lifestyle factors such as in-house biomass cooking (OR = 2.30; p < 0.01) and no hand-washing (OR = 1.66; p < 0.001). An increased risk of ARI symptoms was also significantly associated with living in the North West region and the community with a high proportion of orphaned/vulnerable children (OR = 1.74; p < 0.001).ConclusionsOur findings underscore the importance of Nigerian children’s lifestyle within the neighborhoods where they reside above their individual characteristics. Program-based strategies that are aimed at reducing ARI symptoms should consider policies that embrace making available basic housing standards, providing improved cooking stoves and enhancing healthy behaviors.

Health-Promoting Physical Activity of Children Who Use Assistive Mobility Devices: A Scoping Review.

Children with physical disabilities who use assistive mobility devices (AMDs) are at risk for obesity and other secondary health conditions. Habitual physical activity is one lifestyle factor that may prevent obesity and contribute to overall health, and an active lifestyle in childhood improves prospects for lifelong healthy behaviors. Child, family, and environmental facilitators and barriers influence health-promoting physical activity (HPPA) for children without disabilities, but comparable models and levels of understanding for children who use AMDs are lacking. In this scoping review, we identified a similar set of child, family, and environmental facilitators and barriers relevant to HPPA participation among children who use AMDs. Noted gaps in the literature included limited reporting of AMD use, inconsistent HPPA definitions, and inadequate measurement tools for children who are nonambulatory. The identified child, family, and environmental factors provide a framework for occupational therapy practitioners and interprofessional teams to develop HPPA opportunities and interventions for an underserved population.

Prevalence of underweight and overweight among school-aged children and it's association with children's sociodemographic and lifestyle in Indonesia

ObjectivesUnderweight remains a health problem among Indonesian children, and the incidence of overweight continuously increases. This study aims to determine factors associated with underweight and overweight in school-aged children in Indonesia. MethodsThis study is a cross-sectional investigation on parents and children aged 6–13 years in elementary schools in Makassar, Indonesia. The participants included 877 children and their parents. Anthropometric data were obtained using standardized equipment, and sociodemographic and lifestyle data were determined using a questionnaire. The nutritional status of the children was assessed based on the child growth standard prescribed by the WHO. ResultsThe prevalence rates of underweight and overweight among the children were 14.5% and 20.4%, respectively. Underweight was more prevalent in boys. Factors such as mother's level of education, having an underweight father, and playing outdoors on weekends for more than 2 h were significantly associated with underweight children. By contrast, mothers with high levels of education, overweight parents, sleeping for less than 9 h, and playing outdoors on weekends for less than 1 h were significantly associated with overweight children. ConclusionsThe prevalence of underweight and overweight among school-aged children in Makassar, Indonesia is high. These conditions are associated with the sociodemographic characteristics of children and parents, as well as the lifestyle of children. Parental characteristics and children's lifestyle should be considered when planning prevention and intervention programs for underweight or overweight children.

Empowering Parents of Obese Children (EPOC): A randomized controlled trial on additional long-term weight effects of parent training

Although inpatient lifestyle treatment for obese children and adolescents can be highly effective in the short term, long-term results are unconvincing. One possible explanation might be that the treatment takes place far from parents' homes, limiting the possibility to incorporate the parents, who play a major role in establishing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle in childhood and adolescence. The main goal was to develop a brief behaviorally oriented parent training program that enhances ‘obesity-specific’ parenting skills in order to prevent relapse. We hypothesized that the inclusion of additional parent training would lead to an improved long-term weight course of obese children. Parents of obese children (n = 686; 7–13 years old) either participated in complementary cognitive-behavioral group sessions (n = 336) or received written information only (n = 350) during the inpatient stay. Children of both groups attended multidisciplinary inpatient rehabilitation. BMI-SDS as a primary outcome was evaluated at baseline, post-intervention and at 6- and 12-month follow-up. Intention-to-treat (ITT) as well as per-protocol analyses (PPA) were performed. A significant within-group decrease of 0.24 (95% CI 0.18 to 0.30) BMI-SDS points from the beginning of the inpatient stay through the first year was found, but no group difference at the one-year follow-up (mean difference 0.02; 95% CI -0.04 to 0.07). We also observed an increase in quality of life scores, intake of healthy food and exercise for both groups, without differences between groups (ITT and PPA). Thus, while the inpatient treatment proved highly effective, additional parent training did not lead to better results in long-term weight maintenance or to better psychosocial well-being compared to written psycho-educational material. Further research should focus on subgroups to answer the question of differential treatment effects.

Barriers to Active Lifestyles in Children with Type 1 Diabetes.

To identify the main barriers to active lifestyles in children with type 1 diabetes based on known barriers in adults with type 1 diabetes. Children with type 1 diabetes (n=201) recruited from the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Sainte-Justine Diabetes Clinic answered a specific questionnaire, the Barriers to Physical Activity in Type 1 Diabetes (BAPAD1), which assesses perceived barriers and parental support in the children's adoption of active lifestyles. In younger individuals (those younger than 12 years of age), the highest barrier scores were loss of control of diabetes, fear of hypoglycemia, work schedule and external temperature. In the older group (those ≥12 years of age), fear of hypoglycemia, external temperature, loss of control of diabetes and low fitness levels were the most important. Greater parental support was associated with lower overall barrier scores in younger and older children alike (r=-0.71 and r=-0.65, respectively; p<0.001). There are some differences in barriers to active lifestyles between younger and older children with type 1 diabetes. Parental support appears to be the key to active lifestyles in their children.

Product Attributes and Purchasing Behaviour: How Parents' Food Choices Can Act on Their Children's BMI? Empirical Evidence from a Case Study.

Given the epidemic proportions and economic costs associated with nutrition related diseases in Western countries, an empirical study was carried-out between September and December 2014 in Campania, the Italian region with the highest prevalence of obese children. The survey was conducted in a secondary school and involved 145 children, aged 11 to 14, and their parents, with the ultimate aim of studying the relationship between the behaviour of parents regarding the use of nutrition labels, the attention to product quality and the body weight of their children. The results from our study showed that unhealthy diet concerned stems from the misguided food choices of their parents, who are responsible for their children's dietary habits, lifestyle and body weight. In order to incentivise adults and young people to change their food choices and eating behaviour in favour of healthy and sustainable lifestyles, some useful measures could involve the improvement of political marketing and advertising, labelling clarity and better information and awareness campaigns to do sport and eat healthily. Finally some recent patents related to healthy reformulated food products and communication strategies, with specific regard to healthy eating, have been reviewed.

Maternal perception of their children's weight and lifestyles

Maternal perception of their children's weight and lifestyles

Premature subclinical atherosclerosis in children and young adults with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. A review considering preventive measures.

Many studies show that Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is associated with early subclinical signs of atherosclerosis. Chronic inflammation per se may be an important driver but other known risk factors, such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, insulin insensitivity, a physically inactive lifestyle, obesity, and tobacco smoking may also contribute substantially. We performed a systematic review of studies through the last 20 years on early signs of subclinical atherosclerosis in children and adolescents with JIA with the purpose of investigating whether possible risk factors, other than inflammation, were considered.We found 13 descriptive cross sectional studies with healthy controls, one intervention study and two studies on adults diagnosed with JIA. Only one study addressed obesity, and physical activity (PA) has only been assessed in one study on adults with JIA and only by self-reporting. This is important as studies on PA in children with JIA have shown that most patients are less physically active than their healthy peers, and as physical inactivity in several large studies of normal schoolchildren is found to be associated with increased clustering of risk factors for cardiovascular disease. It is thus possible that an inactive lifestyle in patients with JIA is an important contributor to development of the subclinical signs of atherosclerosis seen in children with JIA, and that promotion of an active lifestyle in childhood and adolescence may diminish the risk for premature atherosclerotic events in adulthood.

An Assessment of Body Composition and Lifestyle in Children Aged from 8 to 10 years

Introduction: The high prevalence of childhood obesity is a public health problem across the world, because it is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate the lifestyle, body composition, and to detect any possible behavioral effects and potential repercussions on the body in children. Methods: 272 children of two primary schools underwent bioimpedence analysis (BIA) to assess their body composition. Information was also collects about their eating habits, exercise and lifestyle, by means of a questionnaire administered. Results: The 19% of children were obese and 32% overweight. In the first group, the fat mass constituted 48% of body weight, while in the second 40% . The 52% of females and 64% of males took part in sports 2-3 times a week. At lunch, pasta was the predominant food, mainly with sauce or vegetables, and 63% had a second dish as well. For evening dinner, a main course was the predominant food 95% and was eaten with bread in 61% of cases. The 18% of children did not eat green vegetables, and 61% did not eat fruit. The average daily intake of bread amounted to 80g and that of water to 1 liter. Discussion: The BMI calculated were in line with those reported in 2014 by the Italian Ministry of Health. The BIA revealed high fat mass, probably correlated to a greater differentiation of the cells into adipocytes, which occurs when excessive food intake happens during the growth phase.

OB CITY-Definition of a Family-Based Intervention for Childhood Obesity Supported by Information and Communication Technologies.

Childhood obesity is becoming one of the 21st century’s most important public health problems. Nowadays, the main treatment of childhood obesity is behavior intervention that aims at improve children’s lifestyle to arrest the disease. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have not been widely employed in this intervention, and most of existing ICTs systems are not having a long-term effect. The purpose of this paper is to define a system to support family-based intervention through a state-of-the-art analysis of family-based interventions and related technological solutions first, and then using the analytic hierarchy process to derive a childhood obesity family-based behavior intervention model, and finally to provide a prototype of a system called OB CITY. The system makes use of applied behavior analysis, affective computing technologies, as well as serious game and gamification techniques, to offer long term services in all care dimensions of the family-based behavioral intervention aiming to provide positive effects to the treatment of childhood obesity.

CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH EVALUATION: FORMER FACTORS — NOVEL MODEL

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) play leading roles among the main causes of death around the globe. In 2009 the American Heart Association developed the Model of Cardiovascular Health (CVHealth) and implemented the meaning of an "ideal", "average" and "poor" CVHealth. In assessment of CVHealth there are 7 parameters: glucose level, cholesterol level, blood pressure, smoking cessation, body mass index, physical activity and healthy food. After creation of this model, there were studies of its efficacy, and efficacy of the prevention procedures. It was revealed that the prevalence of an "ideal" CVHealth is very low, &lt;1%, and it is necessary to pay attention to these "ideal" parameters that might be a strong predictor of morbidity as mortality from CVD. Therefore, the implementation of this score can affect positively the morbidity and mortality from CVD, by development of procedures for healthy life style in children, adolescents and youths, as for an increase of sensitivity of the people to the meanings of healthy life style.

Active lifestyle in childhood and adolescence prevents obesity development in young adulthood.

ObjectiveTo test the hypothesis that individuals who are active but who decrease physical activity (PA) over time have a higher risk of becoming obese in young adulthood, when compared to individuals who are consistently active throughout childhood and adolescence.MethodsIowa Bone Development Study cohort members (242 males and 251 females) participated in accelerometry assessments, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans, and dietary questionnaire surveys at ages 5, 8, 11, 13, 15, 17, and 19 years. Group-based trajectory analyses identified distinct trajectory patterns of moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA), percentage of body fat (%BF), and energy intake. A multivariable logistic regression model was fit to estimate the odds of “becoming obese” based on the MVPA trajectories, adjusted for mother’s education, somatic maturation, and energy intake.ResultsAmong males, 74.7% had a “normal” body fat pattern, 14.6% had a “becoming obese” pattern, and 10.7% had a “consistently obese” pattern, while among females, the percentages were 58.6%, 28.6% and 12.8%, respectively. Participants who were active (≥45 minutes MVPA) as children but decreased MVPA with age were more likely to become obese, compared to consistently active participants (adjusted OR=2.77; 95% CI=1.16, 6.58).ConclusionsAn active lifestyle throughout childhood and adolescence could prevent obesity development in young adulthood.