Development Of Overweight In Children Research Articles

Mediation of the association between social environmental characteristics of family childcare home and weight status in children by diet quality

BackgroundThe food and beverages served in family childcare homes (FCCHs) may play an important role in the development of childhood overweight and obesity. This analysis examines whether children’s diet quality mediates the relationship between foods and beverages served in FCCHs and preschool-aged children’s weight status.MethodsTrained and certified staff conducted observations for two days in each FCCH, using the Environment and Policy Assessment and Observation (EPAO) measure to determine the foods and beverages served to children (N = 370) in FCCHs (N = 120). They also used the Dietary Observation in Child Care (DOCC) protocol to assess children’s food and beverage intake during childcare, from which we calculated the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI), a measure of diet quality. Height and weight were measured for each child with parent consent from which the child’s body mass index (BMI) z-scores were calculated. A multilevel mediation analysis was conducted to indicate whether children’s diet quality mediates the relations between food and beverage served in FCCHs and preschool-aged children’s weight status.ResultsChildren’s total HEI scores significantly mediated the relationship between the EPAO subscale Food Provided and children’s BMI z-scores (B=-0.01, p < .05, 95% CI = [-0.03, − 0.002]). Further, the EPAO subscale Food Provided was positively associated with the total HEI score (B = 0.75, p < .01, 95% CI = [0.32, 1.18]). Total HEI scores were negatively associated with BMI z-score (B=-0.01, p < .05, 95% CI = [-0.02, − 0.001]).ConclusionChildren’s diet quality did significantly mediate the relationship between the food served in FCCHs and children’s weight status. More longitudinal studies with longer follow-up periods need to be conducted to confirm these relationships. Further, future studies need to examine the relationships between a broader spectrum of FCCH environmental characteristics and home environment with children’s weight status, as well as other mediators including physical activity.

Likelihood of obesity in early and late childhood based on growth trajectory during infancy

BackgroundChildhood obesity rates have reached epidemic levels with Mediterranean countries reporting among the highest numbers globally. Evidence suggests early life factors, including infant growth rate, increase the likelihood of obesity later in childhood. However, optimal rates of infant growth associated with lower odds of future obesity still remain undetermined. The study aim was to determine the optimal infant growth rate associated with a lower likelihood of childhood overweight and obesity.MethodsPerinatal and anthropometric data collected from 1778 Greek preschool (2–5 years old) and 2294 Greek preadolescent (10–12 years old) children participating in the ToyBox and the Healthy Growth Study (HGS) respectively, was combined for examination. Logistic regression models and receiver operating curves were used to determine the association between infant growth rate and development of childhood overweight and obesity, as well as optimal infant growth rate, respectively.ResultsRapid weight gain during the first 6 months of life was positively associated with overweight and obesity in preadolescent children (OR:1.36, 95% CI: 1.13–1.63). Optimal cut-off points for several infancy growth rate indices (i.e., WAZ, WLZ, HAZ, BAZ) associated with a lower likelihood of overweight and obesity in preschool years and preadolescence were also identified.ConclusionsThe current findings could possibly set the basis for healthcare professionals and families to better monitor, assess, and control infant growth rates, thus providing another obesity prevention strategy from early life. These findings, however, and the recommended optimal cut-offs need to be confirmed through further prospective research.

A INFLUÊNCIA DO DESMAME PRECOCE NO RISCO DE DESENVOLVIMENTO DA OBESIDADE INFANTIL- REVISÃO SISTEMÁTICA

The growth of childhood obesity in recent years has been a major concern for society and the government. Studies show that shorter duration of breastfeeding and early introduction of solid foods or formulas before 5 months of age have been associated with faster rate of weight gain. This review analyzes, in recent literature, the impact of early weaning on the development of childhood obesity. The results showed an association between breastfeeding duration and exogenous factors such as physical activity, eating habits, area of origin, and obese family members on the nutritional status of the child. It can be concluded from the analyzed studies that the early abandonment of breastfeeding can corroborate the development of childhood obesity (p&lt;0.05). Only 1 article showed no statistical relevance between early weaning and development of childhood overweight. According to the evaluation of methodological quality based on the GRADE system, the articles found were found to be weak, thus indicating the need for more observational studies with greater accuracy and reduction of methodological flaws.

Having siblings promotes a more healthy weight status-Whereas only children are at greater risk for higher BMI in later childhood.

BackgroundBirth order and having at least one sibling are known to be associated with an increased risk for development of overweight. However, there are no studies assessing pre- and postnatal factors for developing overweight within families. Therefore, the present study aimed to analyse the association of the mother’s weight gain during pregnancy, prepregnancy BMI, mother’s age at birth, breastfeeding, age gap between siblings, and physical activity together with sibling-related characteristics on the development of overweight in children and adolescents.MethodsData were obtained from the longitudinal LIFE Child cohort. The study sample included n = 1932 children, stratified into first-born (n = 578), second-born (n = 608), third-or-later-born single-born siblings (n = 162), only children (n = 526), and twin children (n = 58). Children with chronic or syndromic diseases, born prematurely or from mothers with gestational diabetes were excluded. Data were adjusted for multiple children per family using mixed models. Pregnancy weight gain, prepregnancy BMI and mother’s age were considered prenatal co-variates. Postnatal factors included the duration of breastfeeding and the children’s physical activity level.ResultsParticularly until the onset of puberty, the BMI-SDS differed between single-born siblings, only children and twins, and increased with birth order. Compared to children with siblings, only children exhibited a strong increase in BMI-SDS starting at age nine. A higher age gap between siblings was associated with a higher BMI-SDS in second- and third-or-later-born children. Single-born siblings had the highest rate and duration of breastfeeding. Physical activity was highest in twins and third-or-later-born children and lowest in only children. In a multivariate model, being an only child showed a highly significant association with BMI-SDS.ConclusionThe present study demonstrated that siblings had a lower BMI-SDS than only children did. For single-born siblings, the association between birth order and increased BMI-SDS seemed to persist only up to 11 years of age.

Regional variation in lifestyle patterns and BMI in young children: the GECKO Drenthe cohort

BackgroundA better understanding of lifestyle behaviours of children < 7 years and the relation with childhood overweight is needed. The aim of our prospective study was to examine how lifestyle patterns in young children are associated with the development of childhood overweight. As ecological models suggest focusing on not only the child as an individual, but also their environment, we also considered the role of socio-economic status (SES) and spatial clustering of lifestyle and body mass index (BMI).MethodsIn 1792 children (aged 3–6 years) participating in the GECKO Drenthe cohort, diet, screen time, outdoor play and sleep were assessed by questionnaires and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sedentary time by accelerometry (Actigraph GT3X). At 10–11 years, height and weight were measured to calculate age- and sex-specific standardized BMI z-scores (zBMI). Lifestyle patterns were identified using principal component analysis. To assess spatial clustering for the lifestyle patterns and zBMI, we calculated the Global Moran’s I statistic. Linear- and logistic regression models, taking into account SES, were performed to examine the association between the lifestyle patterns and the development of overweight. For the spatial analyses, we added spatial terms for the determinants, the outcome, and the error term.ResultsThree lifestyle patterns were identified: (1) ‘high activity’, (2) ‘low screen time, high sleep and healthy diet’, and (3) ‘high outdoor play’. No associations were observed between the ‘high activity’ or ‘high outdoor play’ patterns at young age with the development of childhood overweight (all p > 0.05). In contrast, children who adhered to the ‘low screen time, high sleep and healthy diet’ pattern had lower odds to become overweight and a lower zBMI at 10–11 years (odds ratio [95% CI] = 0.766 [0.65; 0.90]). These findings remained similar after taking SES into account. Regarding the spatial analyses, we found spatial clustering of zBMI, but no spatial clustering of the lifestyle patterns.ConclusionsLow screen time, high sleep duration and a healthy diet cluster into a pattern that seems favourable in the prevention of childhood overweight, independent of individual SES. The spatial analyses suggest that there are likely other neighbourhood factors that contribute to the spatial clustering of childhood overweight.

Variants in proinflammatory genes IL1RL1, IL1B and IRF4 are associated with overweight in a pediatric Brazilian population

BackgroundObesity is a chronic complex disease with great prevalence for children all over the world. Characterized for low-grade inflammation associated with several comorbidities such as resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). ObjectivesTo investigate whether genetic variants in IL10, IL1RL1, IL1B, IRF4, TNF, IL6, and IL33 genes are associated with being overweight in children. MethodsWe performed the genotyping of 1004 children using Illumina 2.5 Human Omni bead chip, and association analysis on the genetic variants and the overweight through logistic regression adjusted for sex, age and components principal. ResultsOf the seven genes analyzed, 16 SNVs significantly associated. Eleven variants in IL1RL1, two in IL1B and one in IRF4 genes increased overweight risk and two SNVs in IL1RL1 were associated with protection against overweight. The rs2287047-A was negatively associated (OR: 0.66, CI95%: 0.19–0.45) and had a reduced IL1RL1 expression in whole blood (p 0.033) in silico eQTL. The rs12203592-T, in IRF4, was positively associated with being overweight, and led to an increased gene expression in whole blood (p < 0.001) and adipose tissue (p < 0.001). ConclusionThese results suggest that genetic variants in inflammatory genes may play an important role in the development of overweight in children.

Intake of Fibre-Associated Foods and Texture Preferences in Relation to Weight Status Among 9-12 Years Old Children in 6 European Countries.

Plant foods, rich in fibre, can offer textures that children find difficult to orally manipulate, resulting in low preferences but are important for a healthy diet and prevention of overweight in children. Our aim was to investigate preferences for food texture, intake of fibre-associated foods and the relation to BMI. Three hundred thirty European children (9–12 years, 54% female) indicated their texture preferences using the Child-Food-Texture-Preference- Questionnaire (CFTPQ), and their parents responded on fibre-associated food consumption and anthropometric information. BMI was significantly lower for children with higher intake of wholegrain alternatives of common foods; in addition to being significantly influenced by country and the wearing of a dental brace. Overall BMI-for-age-percentiles (BMI_pct) were negatively associated with the consumption of wholegrain cereals, white pasta and wholemeal products and positively associated with the intake of legumes and white biscuits. In males, BMI_pct were negatively associated with wholegrain products and dried fruits, and in females, positively with legume consumption. A few country-related associations were found for BMI_pct and wholegrain biscuits, seeds and nuts and refined products. No overall correlation was found between BMI_pct and the texture preference of soft/hard foods by CFTPQ, except in Austria. We conclude that this study revealed evidence of a connection between fibre-associated foods and children‘s BMI at a cross-cultural level and that sex is an important determinant of fibre-associated food intake and the development of overweight in childhood.

DEFINITION OF MEASURES TO REDUCE THE OBESITY LEVEL IN CHILDREN BASED ON RESEARCH RESULTS OF PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS

Purpose: to study prevalence and main risk factors for overweight and obesity in children and adolescents aged 6–17 and develop appropriate prevention measures. &#x0D; Materials and Methods. Bibliographic, statistical and sociological methods.&#x0D; Results. It is noted an insufficient level of registration of obesity among children. During the study it was found that true prevalence of obesity and overweight in children and adolescents in Kharkiv is significantly different from the official statistics in Kharkiv region ((151.0±5.2)‰). 22 factors of risk had a reliable impact on the development of overweight in children and adolescents. The main risk factors for the formation of the overweight were biological and social and hygienic. Based on the results of the research it was proved that the key measures to reduce the prevalence of obesity and its consequences should be aimed at modifying risk factors, namely: changing stereotypes and habitats that contribute to pathology and at improving the quality of health care, basically at the primary level. Thus priority measures for improvement the quality of health care for children and adolescents with obesity should include: mandatory monitoring of body mass index among children from the age of 3 and assessment of the harmony of physical development; introduction of an information system for accounting, monitoring of obesity and overweight and the main risk factors (electronic medical record of the patient); introduction of patient registers at the territorial and regional level; preferential supervision by the family doctor, involvement of all experts; raising public awareness at the group, individual level; timely identification of risk factors, formation of risk groups, organization of dynamic monitoring, creation of differentiated prevention programs and study of public awareness of the main risks of overweight; advanced training of doctors, conducting training seminars on nutrition.&#x0D; Conclusions. Thus, to solve the problem of obesity in children such structures as local governments, educational institutions, healthcare institutions and public organizations should be obligatory involved. Special attention is paid to measures to optimize medical care at the primary level for such children.

IDENTIFICATION OF PRIORITY MEASURES TO OPTIMIZE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF CHILDREN WITH OBESITY BASED ON THE STUDY OF THE MAIN ASPECTS OF THE PROBLEM

Purpose of the study. Identify measures to optimize the quality of life of children and adolescents with obesity.&#x0D; Materials and methods. Bibliographic, statistical and sociological methods.&#x0D; Results. It is noted an insufficient level of registration of obesity among children. During the study it was found that true prevalence of obesity and overweight in children and adolescents in Kharkiv was 151,0 ± 5,2. 22 factors of risk had a reliable impact on the development of overweight in children and adolescents. The main risk factors for the formation of the overweight were biological and social and hygienic. It was proved that the relative average life quality index of children and adolescents with obesity was 60,7 ± 0,5%, and the most significant were restrictions in the physical (Rx = –6,8) and psychological and emotional (Rx = –4,4) spheres. The revealed shortcomings of medical assistance were: insufficient level of timely detection of the disease, medical-diagnostic process, a very low level of coverage by clinical supervision (29,6 ± 2,7%), insufficient medical and hygienic education of the parents and, as a result and an unreasonable loading on specialized care. Based on the results of the research, the main measures to optimize the quality of life of obese children were identified.&#x0D; Conclusions. Thus, to solve the problem of obesity in children such structures as local governments, educational institutions, healthcare institutions and public organizations should be obligatory involved. In particular, leading measures to optimize medical care were identified.

Antibiotic exposure in infancy and development of BMI and body composition in childhood

BackgroundIt has been hypothesized that antibiotic usage in early life could contribute to development of overweight in childhood. Studies have seen association between antibiotic usage and overweight in childhood. We aimed to investigate the relationship between antibiotic exposure in infancy and development of body mass index (BMI) and body composition. MethodsA prospective mother–child cohort study of 738 pregnant women and their 700 children, Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood2010 (COPSAC2010). Information on antibiotic exposure was collected by interviews. Height/length and weight measures were collected at age 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 years and body composition was determined by a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan at age 3.5 and 6 years. Findings306 (46%) of the 661 children were exposed to antibiotics before 1 year of age. There were no differences in BMI z-score development at age 1–6 years between children exposed to antibiotics compared to unexposed: z-score difference, –0.06 (95%CI: –0.17;0.06), p = 0.33, and no sex-differences (p-interaction = 0.48). Children exposed vs. not exposed to antibiotics had comparable fat percentage at 6 years of age: log(mean difference), 0.60% (95%CI: −0.212 to 1.41), p = 0.15. InterpretationChildren exposed to antibiotics had similar BMI, BMI z-score and body composition between 1 and 6 years of life compared to unexposed children. Our study does not support the hypothesis that antibiotic exposure in infancy leads to development of obesity in the first 6 years of life. FundingThe Lundbeck Foundation, The Ministry of Health, Danish Council for Strategic Research and The Capital Region Research Foundation.

Family environment risk factors for overweight in childhood

Abstract Background One of the current public health problems in Bulgaria is the high prevalence of overweight and obesity in childhood. The family environment affects many aspects of children’s health and well-being. The unfavourable socio-economic characteristics of the family environment might be a risk for overweight and obesity in childhood. Methods A national representative survey was conducted in Bulgaria in 2016 as part of the WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI). 3379 schoolchildren were recruited. The average age of the sample was 7.7 years, equally distributed by gender - girls 50.11% (n = 1693) and boys 49.89% (n = 1686). The data from the filled in Family form was analysed with SPSS using descriptive statistical methods. Results The study identified the following risk factors of the family environment for the development of overweight in childhood: the proportion of parents with elementary or primary education was significant - about a quarter, nearly one third of the surveyed households were experiencing financial difficulties, 14.1% of the women and 11.6% of the men were unemployed in the last 1 year. There was a high incidence of co-morbidity among family members: hypertension - 27.7%, diabetes mellitus - 14.4% and hypercholesterolemia - 13.6%. Among the surveyed parents 28.4% of the women and 68% of the men were overweight. Only 13.5% of the parents estimated the weight status of their child as overweight (with objectively measured overweight among 29.2% of the recruited children). A significant proportion of the children were not breastfed (17.3%) or the duration of exclusive breastfeeding was not optimal for 67.8% of the exclusively breastfed children. Conclusions Identifying family risk factors associated with overweight in childhood is important for the public health and provides opportunities to develop policies for improvement of the nutritional and health status of children. Key messages To tackle the childhood obesity epidemic the family risk factors should be addressed. The awareness of the children and parents should be raised through targeted information materials and campaigns.

Infants under double attack. The role of toxicants, and the gut microbiome, and their potential interactions, in development of overweight in children

Infants under double attack. The role of toxicants, and the gut microbiome, and their potential interactions, in development of overweight in children

Executive function and probabilities of engaging in long-term sedentary and high calorie/low nutrition eating behaviors in early adolescence

PurposeConsumption of high calorie/low nutrition (HCLN) foods, as well as high levels of sedentary behavior (SB), may play a substantial role in the development of childhood overweight and obesity. However, the choice to engage or not engage in this behavior may be impacted by limits in executive functioning (EF) - a set of higher order functions related to decision making, planning, and inhibitory processes. MethodsThe present study, as part of a large multiple health risk behavior trial designed to prevent substance use and obesity, evaluated the relationship between specific subdomains of EF and long-term patterns of HCLN food consumption and SB among a population of elementary school students (n = 709). ResultsUtilizing a form of mixture modeling based on a latent transition analysis framework, subdomains of EF were found to influence the probability that students would report high levels of HCLN food consumption and SB over a thirty-month period. Gender and socioeconomic status further influenced the likelihood that students with poor EF would repeatedly engage in these unhealthy behaviors. ConclusionsHCLN food consumption and SB in childhood can lead to an increased risk of becoming overweight or obese. Findings suggest that long term EF training, as well as the creation of environments that support appropriate decision-making, could be an important focus of future health promotion and education.

The associations of air pollution, traffic noise and green space with overweight throughout childhood: The PIAMA birth cohort study

BackgroundAir pollution, traffic noise and absence of green space may contribute to the development of overweight in children. ObjectivesTo investigate the combined associations of air pollution, traffic noise and green space with overweight throughout childhood. MethodsWe used data for 3680 participants of the Dutch PIAMA birth cohort. We estimated exposure to air pollution, traffic noise and green space (i.e. the average Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and percentages of green space in circular buffers of 300 m and 3000 m) at the children's home addresses at the time of parental reported weight and height measurements. Associations of these exposures with overweight from age 3 to 17 years were analyzed by generalized linear mixed models, adjusting for potential confounders. Odds ratios (OR's) are presented for an interquartile range increase in exposure. Resultsodds of being overweight increased with increasing exposure to NO2 (adjusted OR 1.40 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12–1.74] per 8.90 µg/m3) and tended to decrease with increasing exposure to green space in a 3000 m buffer (adjusted OR 0.86 [95% CI 0.71–1.04] per 0.13 increase in the NDVI; adjusted OR 0.86 [95% CI 0.71–1.03] per 29.5% increase in the total percentage of green space). After adjustment for NO2, the associations with green space in a 3000 m buffer weakened. No associations of traffic noise with overweight throughout childhood were found. In children living in an urban area, living further away from a park was associated with a lower odds of being overweight (adjusted OR 0.67 [95% CI 0.52–0.85] per 359.6 m). ConclusionsExposure to traffic-related air pollution, but not traffic noise or green space, may contribute to childhood overweight. Future studies examining the associations of green space with childhood overweight should account for air pollution exposure.

Early maternal perceived stress and children\u2019s BMI: longitudinal impact and influencing factors

BackgroundMaternal perceived stress has been discussed to contribute to the development of childhood overweight. Our aim was to investigate the longitudinal relationship of early maternal perceived stress and BMI z-scores in preschool children (≤ five years).MethodsA longitudinal analysis was conducted in 498 mother-child pairs of the German prospective birth cohort LINA with information on maternal perceived stress during pregnancy, one and two years after birth. BMI z-scores were based on annual measurements of children’s weight/height and calculated based on WHO reference data. General estimation equations were applied to evaluate the impact of maternal stress on children’s longitudinal BMI z-scores. Potential stressors contributing to the perceived stress of the mother were assessed by linear regression models. Using mediation analyses we evaluated the relationship between stressors, maternal perceived stress, and children’s BMI z-score development.ResultsPostnatal maternal stress during the first year after birth had a positive longitudinal relationship with children’s BMI z-scores up to the age of five years. Gender-stratified analyses revealed that only girls showed this positive association while boy’s BMI z-scores were unaffected by maternal stress. We identified three neighborhood strains and two socio-demographic factors, which contributed to the maternal perceived stress level. Stressors themselves did not directly affect girl’s BMI z-scores but rather mediated their effect through the perceived stress level.ConclusionsWhile different stressors contribute to maternal stress, the perceived stress level - rather than the stressors themselves - is strongly positively associated with BMI z-score development in girls.

Breastfeeding and complementary feeding in relation to body mass index and overweight at ages 7 and 11 y: a path analysis within the Danish National Birth Cohort

Infant feeding may play an important role in the development of childhood overweight and obesity. The objective of this study was to examine whether duration of breastfeeding (BF), timing of introduction of complementary food, and protein intake at age 18 mo are associated with body mass index [BMI (measured in kg/m2)] and overweight at ages 7 and 11 y, independent of BMI during infancy. Children participating in the Danish National Birth Cohort were followed up at ages 7 and 11 y. Information on infant feeding, protein intake at age 18 mo, Ponderal Index at birth, child BMI (at ages 5 mo, 12 mo, 7 y, and 11 y), and several parental factors was available. Path analysis was used to assess the direct and indirect effects of infant feeding on BMI z scores (BMIz) at ages 7 (n=36,481) and 11 y (n=22,047). Logistic regression analyses were used to examine associations with overweight. Duration of BF was not associated with childhood BMIz at ages 7 and 11 y. Earlier introduction of complementary food (<4 mo old) was not associated with BMIz at age 7 y, but with a 0.069 (95% CI: 0.021, 0.117, P=0.005) higher BMIz at age 11 y and increased risk of overweight at age 11 y (OR 1.44; 95% CI: 1.04, 2.00; P=0.03). Protein intake from dairy products (per 5 g/d) was associated with higher BMIz only at age 7 y (OR: 0.012; 95% CI: 0.003, 0.021; P=0.007). Protein intake from meat and fish (per 2g/d) was associated with a 0.010 (95% CI: 0.004, 0.017; P=0.003) higher BMIz at age 7y, a 0.013 (95% CI: 0.005, 0.020; P=0.002) higher BMIz at age 11 y and increased odds of overweight at age 7y (OR: 1.07; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.10; P<0.001), but not at age 11 y. Intake of protein from meat and fish at age 18 mo was associated with higher BMIz and risk of overweight in childhood. However, the effect sizes were small. Early introduction of complementary food may be associated with child BMIz and child overweight. This study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03334760.

Childhood Overweight and Obesity: Maternal and Family Factors

Treatment programs for childhood overweight and obesity have highlighted the importance of the family in treatment. Considering this, it is surprising that few studies have examined the role of family factors in the development of childhood overweight and obesity. The objective of this study was to examine which family and maternal factors predict increases in weight in boys and girls during middle to late childhood. This study used longitudinal data from the childhood growth and development (GAD) Study. The GAD Study involved 286 healthy weight, overweight and obese children, aged 6–13 years at baseline, who completed baseline, 1-year follow-up and 2-year follow-up assessments. Overweight/obese children were recruited from clinical and community settings. A broad range of maternal and family factors were assessed. Linear mixed models were used to identify which factors predicted child Body Mass Index (BMI) z-scores over time. For community-based children, maternal BMI and single-parent family structure were significant longitudinal predictors of child BMI z-scores. For the clinical participants, low family income was the only significant multivariate predictor of child BMI z-scores. The strong association between child BMI, maternal BMI and family structure confirms the need to target prevention and intervention efforts for childhood overweight and obesity towards families with overweight parents, particularly single-parent families.

Maternal fatty acid intake during pregnancy and the development of childhood overweight: a birth cohort study.

Maternal diet during pregnancy may contribute to the risk of offspring adiposity. The objective of the study is to explore the associations between maternal antenatal dietary fatty acid intake and the risk of offspring overweight and obesity at the ages of 2 to 7 years. In a prospective Finnish birth cohort with 3807 mother-child pairs, maternal diet in late pregnancy was assessed with a food frequency questionnaire. Intakes of total fatty acids and individual saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were calculated. Generalized estimating equation models were used to study the associations of maternal dietary variables with repeatedly measured offspring overweight and obesity. In girls, maternal intake ratio of n-6:n-3 PUFAs had a U-shaped association with obesity (adjusted OR for the lowest 2.0 [95% CI 1.27-3.20] and the highest 1.7 [1.03-2.73] vs. the two middle quartiles of n-6:n-3 PUFAs, p = 0.01). In boys, arachidonic acid (20:4n-6): docosahexaenoic acid + eicosapentaenoic acid ratio was associated with obesity (adjusted OR for the lowest 1.0 [0.60-1.57] and the highest 0.5 [0.26-0.88] vs. the two middle quartiles, p = 0.02). Saturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids were not associated with overweight or obesity in either sex. Maternal intakes of PUFAs in late pregnancy were associated with risk of later obesity differently in girls and boys.

Parental correlations of physical activity and body mass index in young children--he GECKO Drenthe cohort.

BackgroundParental behavior can influence the development of overweight in children. The aim of this study is to examine whether parental BMI and parental physical activity are associated with BMI, waist circumference and physical activity in young children.MethodsIn 3–4 year old children, weight, height and waist circumference were measured. Children’s physical activity was measured in a subgroup (n = 299) using a tri-axial activity monitor, TracmorD. Data are represented as activity counts per minute (total physical activity) and as percentage of time in sedentary, light, moderate and vigorous intensity physical activity (generated from a subsample of Actigraph data using cut points from Butte et al.). Parental weight and height were self-reported and parental physical activity was assessed by the validated questionnaire SQUASH.ResultsIn total 1554 children (age 3.9 ± 0.1 years, BMI 15.8 ± 1.3 kg/m2 and waist circumference 52.4 ± 3.5 cm) were included. Eleven percent were overweight or obese. A higher maternal BMI was related to higher levels of children’s sedentary activity (r = 0.120, p = 0.04 and to lower levels of children’s total and moderate physical activity (r = −0.158, p = 0.007 and r = −0.154, p = 0.008, respectively). Parental BMI was positively correlated with children’s BMI and waist circumference (r = 0.20–0.27, p < 0.001). Higher maternal total physical activity levels were not related to children’s total physical activity level, but were related to higher levels of children’s moderate and vigorous physical activity (ρ = 0.132, p = 0.046 and ρ = 0.132, p = 0.046, respectively). No correlations between total, moderate or vigorous physical activity levels of the parents with the child’s BMI or waist circumference were found. Looking at physical activity domains maternal physical activity in active commuting, either walking or biking, showed a negative correlation with BMI of the child (ρ = −0.062, p = 0.042).ConclusionsHigher maternal BMI and lower maternal physical activity levels were related to lower levels of children’s physical activity. More active commuting by the mother and a lower parental BMI were related to a lower BMI of the children. Energy-balance related behavior of the parents may contribute to a healthier BMI of both preschool children and their parents.

Daytime sleep duration and the development of childhood overweight: the KOALA Birth Cohort Study

Reduced nighttime sleep is a risk factor for childhood overweight, but the association between daytime sleep and overweight is unknown. The aim of this study is to evaluate daytime sleep duration as an independent risk factor for childhood overweight. Data from the KOALA Birth Cohort Study on daytime and nighttime sleep at 2 years (N = 2322), and body mass index (BMI) around 2, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 years were used. Multivariable general estimating equation regression analyses were performed to examine the associations of sleep duration with BMI (linear) and overweight (logistic). No associations between daytime sleep and BMI or overweight were found, whereas longer nighttime sleep was associated with lower BMI and lower risk of overweight persisting up to age 9. Daytime sleep duration is probably less relevant for prevention of childhood overweight.