Prevalence Of Excess Weight Research Articles

A 2.5-Year Weight Management Program Using Noom Health: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundOverweight and obesity are serious public health concerns. As the prevalence of excess weight among individuals continues to increase, there is a parallel need for inexpensive, highly accessible, and evidence-based weight loss programs.ObjectiveThis weight loss trial will aim to examine the efficacy of the Noom weight loss program in comparison to a digital control after a 6-month intervention phase and a 24-month maintenance phase, with assessments continuing for 2 years beyond the intervention (to 30 months—after the baseline). The secondary outcomes include quality of life, psychosocial functioning, sleep quality, physical activity, diet, and health status. This trial will also examine the severity of obesity-related functional impairment, weight loss history, and demographic moderators, along with adherence and self-efficacy as mediators of the outcome.MethodsA total of 600 participants were randomized in a parallel-group, controlled trial to either Noom Healthy Weight Program (intervention) or Noom Healthy Weight Control (control) for a 6-month intervention. Both intervention and control groups include diet and exercise recommendations, educational content, daily logging capabilities, and daily weigh-in entries. The Noom Healthy Weight Program also includes a coach support for weight loss. Remote follow-up assessments of eating, physical activity, psychosocial factors, app use data, and weight will be conducted at 1, 4, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 30 months after baseline. Weight is measured at each follow-up point during a Zoom call using the participants’ scales.ResultsEnrollment began in March 2021 and the 6-month intervention phase ended in March 2022. Data collection for the final assessment will be completed in March 2024.ConclusionsThis study tests commercially available digital lifestyle interventions for individuals with overweight and obesity seeking weight loss support. Data obtained from the study will evaluate whether the Noom Healthy Weight Control Program can help individuals overcome weight loss, achieve long-term maintenance, adhere to lifestyle changes, and feature use barriers that are present in other traditional weight loss treatments.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT04797169; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04797169International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/37541

Characterization of the prevalence of excess weight in Brazil

Introduction/BackgroundThis work aims to analyse the prevalence of excess weight in Brazil to demonstrate the nutritional transition that is occurring. The data mobilized in the research are from the Food and Nutritional Surveillance System (FNSS).Materials and methodsThis study employed a quantitative approach from the FNSS online secondary data survey through reports of nutritional status in different phases of life (child, adolescent, adult, elderly and pregnant), in different macroregions of the country (South, Southeast, Midwest, Northeast and North) and with a 12-year historical series (2008 to 2019).ResultsIn the adult life stage, there was a time trend of increasing excess weight in all regions of this historical series. The southern region of Brazil and the adult life stage had the highest national percentage of excess weight (69,1%) in 2019 and had the lowest percentage of eutrophy (29.3%) in the region in 2019. In the elderly life phase, in the South, Southeast and Midwest regions, excess weight was higher than the other outcomes in the time series, with the highest annual prevalence in the South region (58,6%) in 2019. In the adolescent life stage, there was a time trend of increasing excess weight in all regions, and excess weight had the highest prevalence in 2019 in the South (35,8%). The lowest prevalence rates of excess weight were in the following age groups: children aged 0 to < 2 years old and children aged 2 to < 5 years old. Additionally, it was in Group 5 to < 10 years old that the most critical prevalence of excess weight (35,07%) was found in 2018. However, malnutrition (low weight) persists, especially in the elderly and children. In the pregnancy life stage, there was a temporal trend of increase in excess weight in all regions, with higher percentages in 2019 in the South (53.5%) and Southeast (50.8%).ConclusionExcess weight has shown increasing time trends in the adolescent, adult, elderly and pregnant life stages in all regions of Brazil, suggesting that public FNS policymakers should be more assertive in the planning and management of programs and actions to reduce the percentages of diseases.

Asociación entre el tiempo de pantalla recreativo y el exceso de peso y la obesidad medidos con tres criterios diferentes entre residentes en España de 2-14 años

Introduction and objectiveStudies that assess the association between excess weight and screen time in childhood and adolescence are methodologically heterogeneous, and few studies have analysed the exposure to smartphones and tablets. Our study aimed to assess the association between daily recreational screen time and excess weight (overweight+obesity) and obesity in children aged 2-14 years residing in Spain using different sets of standards. MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the 2017 Spanish National Health Survey (N=4528). We assessed the prevalence of overweight and obesity applying the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO), International Obesity Task Force (IOTF), and Orbegozo 2011 study. We categorised daily recreational screen time in minutes as 0–59, 60–119, 120–179, and ≥180. We calculated crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) of excess weight and obesity based on the daily minutes of recreational screen time with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Moreover, we calculated crude and adjusted change (aΔ) in the expected number of fulfilled excess weight/obesity criteria based on the minutes of daily recreational screen time with the corresponding 95% CI. We adjusted the association analyses for potential confounders. ResultsWe found that spending 180min or more a day of recreational screen time was associated with an increase in the adjusted prevalence of excess weight (e.g. Orbegozo 2011 aPR≥180, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.02–1.42) and of obesity (e.g. IOTF aPR≥180, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.06–1.86) as well as an increase in the adjusted number of fulfilled criteria for excess weight (aΔ≥180, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.06–1.31). ConclusionsLonger periods of recreational screen time were associated with excess weight and obesity in children aged 2–14 years. Cohort studies are required to confirm these findings, as this may be a determinant of health in children.

Brazilian Food Handlers' Years of Work in the Foodservice and Excess Weight: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study.

This study aimed to evaluate the association between the years of work of food handlers in the foodservice and excess weight among Brazilian low-income food handlers. A total of 559 food handlers from all Brazilian regions were characterized using a questionnaire. Weight and height were measured to estimate the Body Mass Index and classify the individuals. The association between food handlers' years of work in the foodservice, anthropometric status, and other variables (gender, age group, educational level, participation in a government program and per capita income at home and energetic consumption) were performed using Pearson's chi-square test (p < 0.05). Multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed (p < 0.05) as well as sensitivity tests using the outcome continuously and transformed, excluding underweight individuals, in a multivariate linear regression model. Most of the sample was female (63.1%), aged between 21 and 40 years old (63.5%), and 53.3% had studied up to complete elementary school. Almost 41% of the food handlers had less than half the minimum wage per capita income. Of the evaluated individuals, 59.9% presented excess weight. There was an association with family per capita income (Odds Ratio - OR: 1.73; Confidence interval - CI95%: 1.09–2.75); handlers whose per capita income was ≤0.5 minimum wage had a 73% higher chance of obesity than those with higher income. Working in foodservive ≥3 years increased the chance of being overweight by 96% compared to those who work for <3 years (OR: 1.96; CI95%: 1.11–3.49). No significant association was found between the years of work of food handlers in the foodservice and obesity. Since work-related factors may contribute to the high prevalence of excess weight, including working in a food handling environment, the government and employers should consider workplace interventions. These would guide the food handlers in avoiding high rates of excess weight and their consequences on public health. Excess weight is an important driver of costs in the workplace associated with absenteeism, job change, and diseases. More studies are necessary to clarify the relationship between the factors related to work and the anthropometric status of food handlers since excess weight is multifactorial.

Prevalence of food addiction using the Yale-C scale in Mexican children with overweight and obesity.

BackgroundThe prevalence of excess weight and obesity in children has increased significantly worldwide. The concept of food addiction (FA) has been associated with eating-related problems and obesity. Studies on this topic have primarily examined adult samples and little is known about addictive-like eating among Mexican children and adolescents.MethodsWe conducted this study to examinate the prevalence of FA in a group of 291 overweight and obese children and adolescents using YFAS scale for children (YFAS-C) in Mexico.ResultsAccording to the YFAS-C approximately 14.4% of participants met for FA diagnosis. Forty-two (14.4%) received a FA diagnosis: 14 children and 28 adolescents. The number of FA symptoms in participants who received an FA diagnosis (M = 4.35, SD = 1.07) compared to participants with no FA diagnosis (M = 1.70, SD = 1.53) was significantly higher (p ≤ 0.001). There were no statistically significant gender differences and the proportion of subjects with an FA diagnosis did not differ by age between children and adolescents. FA is a focus of interest in attempting to explain certain behaviors that may contribute to the development of obesity and explain the failure of the weight loose programs in children.

Excess Weight among Survivors of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Survivors Treated at a Center in Northeast Brazil

Therapeutic advances in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have increased the number of survivors but have promoted the development of long-term side effects, the best documented of which is obesity. The present retrospective case series analyzed data collected at diagnosis, end of treatment, and last follow-up visit of 210 ALL survivors treated between August 2005 and October 2014. Clinical and anthropometric data were collected from medical records. The nutritional diagnosis was based on z-scores of height-for-age (H/AZ) and body mass index-for-age (BMI/AZ) for males and females provided by the World Health Organization. H/AZ decreased and BMI/AZ increased between baseline and end of treatment, followed by H/AZ catch-up at follow-up. The prevalence of excess weight on the three occasions was 24.3%, 38.3, and 43.3%, respectively. Baseline excess weight (adjusted OR: 12.2; 95% CI: 5.5–27.0) and the ALL risk group (adjusted OR: 2.89; 95% CI: 1.1–7.6) were independently associated with excess weight at the end of treatment, whereas baseline excess weight (adjusted OR: 8.50; 95% CI: 3.93–18.40) and linear growth (adjusted OR: 2.02; 95% CI: 1.05–3.88) were independently associated with excess weight at follow-up. The frequency of excess weight had increased significantly by the end of treatment and persisted at follow-up. Baseline excess weight was the main factor associated with excess weight at the end of treatment and follow-up.

Role of Diet Quality in the Association Between Excess Weight and Psychosocial Problems in a Large Sample of Children in Spain

The role of healthy eating in the association between excess weight and psychosocial health among children is unknown. To investigate whether a diet based on healthy eating habits moderates the association between excess weight and psychosocial problems in a large sample of children in Spain. This population-based cross-sectional study used data on a representative sample of 3772 children collected in 2017 through the Spanish National Health Survey. Statistical analysis was conducted from September 21 to October 27, 2021. Body mass index was calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared; body mass index z scores were computed following the sex and age criteria of the International Obesity Task Force and were used to determine excess weight. Diet quality was assessed using the Spanish Healthy Eating Index (S-HEI; a higher score denotes greater adherence to the guidelines of the Spanish Society of Community Nutrition and, therefore, a higher quality of diet). Psychosocial problems were assessed with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire completed by parents or guardians. All analyses were adjusted for major confounders. Among the 3772 participants (1908 boys [50.6%]; mean [SD] age, 9.5 [3.1] years), the prevalence of excess weight (ie, overweight or obesity) was 38.4% (n = 1448). Diet quality moderated the association between excess weight and psychosocial problems (β = -0.06; 95% CI, -0.09 to -0.02). Moderation analysis revealed 2 different regions of significance according to the S-HEI score. First, the association between excess weight and psychosocial problems was greater for children with an S-HEI score lower than 67.5. Second, the association of excess weight with psychosocial problems was lower for children with an S-HEI score higher than 84.9. In addition, a neutral area was found, indicating that the association between excess weight and psychosocial problems neither increased nor decreased in those with an S-HEI score between 67.5 and 84.9. The results of this study suggest that the association between excess weight and psychosocial problems is moderated by diet quality among children in Spain. These findings are clinically relevant because psychosocial problems are a major concern among children with excess weight. Because obesity is a chronic disease, it requires ongoing counseling and treatment throughout life.

The Analysis of the Correlations between BMI and Body Composition among Children with and without Intellectual Disability.

Background: Compared to the great volume of studies focusing on children and adolescents without intellectual disability, research regarding body mass index among young populations (13–17 years old) with intellectual disability is scarce, mostly when we refer to the comparisons between various degrees of intellectual disability and gender. Methods: The purpose of this study was to assess a series of morphofunctional parameters among children with and without intellectual disability to characterise the morphofunctional normality and its perturbations. Within the study, we included 101 subjects from several educational institutions, distributed on five groups, by their gender and degree of intellectual disability. Results: The average values of body mass index exceed the values recommended by the WHO among all the five groups (boys and girls with and without intellectual disabilities) prone to obesity. Upon analysing the values of BMI by gender and type of intellectual disability, we note that the prevalence of obesity among boys is 28.07% (BMI > 24), while 19.29% are overweight (BMI ranging between 21.5 and 24). Conclusions: The prevalence of excess weight and obesity among persons with intellectual disabilities was similar among the male and female subjects. It shows an increasing trend by age.

"GENYAL" Study to Childhood Obesity Prevention: Methodology and Preliminary Results.

ObjectiveThis article describes the methodology and summarizes some preliminary results of the GENYAL study aiming to design and validate a predictive model, considering both environmental and genetic factors, that identifies children who would benefit most from actions aimed at reducing the risk of obesity and its complications.DesignThe study is a cluster randomized clinical trial with 5-year follow-up. The initial evaluation was carried out in 2017. The schools were randomly split into intervention (nutritional education) and control schools. Anthropometric measurements, social and health as well as dietary and physical activity data of schoolchildren and their families are annually collected. A total of 26 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were assessed. Machine Learning models are being designed to predict obesity phenotypes after the 5-year follow-up.SettingsSix schools in Madrid.ParticipantsA total of 221 schoolchildren (6–8 years old).ResultsCollected results show that the prevalence of excess weight was 19.0, 25.4, and 32.2% (according to World Health Organization, International Obesity Task Force and Orbegozo Foundation criteria, respectively). Associations between the nutritional state of children with mother BMI [β = 0.21 (0.13–0.3), p (adjusted) <0.001], geographical location of the school [OR = 2.74 (1.24–6.22), p (adjusted) = 0.06], dairy servings per day [OR = 0.48 (0.29–0.75), p (adjusted) = 0.05] and 8 SNPs [rs1260326, rs780094, rs10913469, rs328, rs7647305, rs3101336, rs2568958, rs925946; p (not adjusted) <0.05] were found.ConclusionsThese baseline data support the evidence that environmental and genetic factors play a role in the development of childhood obesity. After 5-year follow-up, the GENYAL study pretends to validate the predictive model as a new strategy to fight against obesity.Clinical Trial RegistrationThis study has been registered in ClinicalTrials.gov with the identifier NCT03419520, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03419520.

The Eating Healthy and Daily Life Activities (EHDLA) Study.

Background: Childhood obesity is one of the greatest public health concerns facing advanced societies, Spain being one of the countries with the highest incidence. In this sense, the Region of Murcia has been pointed out as the Spanish autonomous community with the highest prevalence of excess weight among young people. More specifically, the Valle de Ricote has shown an even greater proportion of excess weight among young people. Several sociodemographic, environmental, lifestyle, health-related, cognitive, and psychological factors are related to excess weight. Based on the lack of information, this research project will try to provide relevant information to design intervention programs, as well as to implement effective public policies to try and reverse this alarming situation. Therefore, this research project aims (1) to obtain cross-sectional and longitudinal data on the excess weight and their potential sociodemographic, environmental, lifestyle, health-related, cognitive, and psychological factors associated among adolescents from the Valle de Ricote (Region of Murcia, Spain) (aged 12–17 years), and (2) to examine the association between excess weight and their potential sociodemographic, environmental, lifestyle, health-related, cognitive, and psychological factors associated among this population. Methods: A cross-sectional study and follow-up study will be performed. This research project will involve adolescents using a simple random sampling technique. A total of three secondary schools from the Valle de Ricote (Region of Murcia, Spain) will be included in this project. The minimum sample size will be 1138, establishing a 95% confidence interval, a 40% prevalence of excess weight, a 3% margin of error, and a non-response rate of 10%. Primary outcome measures will be: (1) anthropometric measurements, (2) sociodemographic factors, (3) environmental factors, (4) lifestyle factors, (5) health-related factors, (6) cognitive factors, and (7) psychological factors. Conclusion: This research project will aim to determine the prevalence of excess weight and interrelate their potential sociodemographic, environmental, lifestyle, health-related, cognitive, and psychological factors associated. The obtained results will help to manage and propose possible multidisciplinary interventions and strategies in order to prevent and reduce the excess weight in adolescents from the Valle de Ricote. Furthermore, orientations will be given to transfer the obtained results to the public sector to evaluate or change the adopted policies.

Recent trends in adult body mass index and prevalence of excess weight: Data from the Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance Network.

To explore recent body mass index (BMI) trends over time among Canadian adults seen in primary care to identify the best target groups for preventive interventions. Retrospective descriptive cohort design. Data for this study were derived from the Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance Network database. All patients aged 18 years and older who had BMI measurements available between 2011 and 2016 were identified. A closed cohort (N = 243 078 unique patients) with a start date of January 1, 2011, was defined. Patients were excluded if key variables were missing or if BMI measurements were 15 kg/m2 or less or 50 kg/m2 or greater. The dependent variable for this study was BMI (kg/m2). Measured BMI values recorded in electronic medical records were used. A linear mixed-effect estimate was fit to model changes in BMI over time with control of baseline age and sex. Patients in the Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance Network database experienced a modest increase in mean (95% CI) BMI by 2.1% from 28.5 (28.4 to 28.6) kg/m2 in 2011 to 29.1 (28.9 to 29.2) kg/m2 in 2016 (P < .0001). This increase is not a measured difference in BMI in the same individual but reflects the difference in the average BMI of the population in 2011 versus 2016. Male patients had BMI values that were on average 1.02 kg/m2 higher than those of female patients (P < .0001). Mean BMI values increased most rapidly in young adults (18 to 34 years) compared with older adults. The findings indicate that current obesity management in primary care is failing to moderate weight trajectories in different groups by age and sex. The results also suggest that younger age groups, in whom accelerated weight gain occurred, should be the target of prevention initiatives.

Rural characteristics associated with excess weight among adolescents

ABSTRACT Objective This study aimed to verify the association between rural characteristics and the nutritional status of adolescents from the rural area of Macaé, a municipality in Rio de Janeiro, Southeast Brazil. Methods This is a cross-sectional study based on secondary anthropometric data, collected at the Macaé Municipal Department of Education between 2013 and 2014. The database refers to the total number of adolescents in the only high school in the rural area of the city. Poisson logistic regression was performed, having excess weight (overweight or obesity- Body Mass Index-for-age equal to or greater than one Z-score) as the dependent variable, used dichotomously. The independent variables were sex, socioeconomic status and three “yes or no” variables that express rural characteristics. Results The adolescents (total=109) were between 14 and 18 years old (mean=16.6 years), 64.2% were girls, 52.3% had vegetable gardens or orchards in their household, 19.4% had animal breeding for consumption purposes and 17.6% had parents/guardians working in the agricultural sector. The prevalence of excess weight was 18.0% in boys and 20.0% in girls. Having a garden/orchard implied a significantly higher chance of having excess weight, both in the bivariate analysis and in the sex-adjusted model (Prevalence Ratio=2.95; Confidence Interval=1.17-7.44). Conclusions Based on a significant association at the municipal level, the results highlight nutritional differences between local and large-scale studies, as well as variations within the same rural area. These findings point out the need to evaluate rural aspects in more detail in studies on underlying determinants of nutritional status.

Association between acanthosis nigricans and overweight with hypertension in children and adolescents from low-income families.

This study aimed to describe the prevalence of acanthosis nigricans and high blood pressure in children and adolescents from low-income families, and to verify the association of elevated blood pressure with nutritional status and the presence of acanthosis nigricans. This is a cross-sectional and controlled study with 232 children and adolescents from an institution for low-income families. Pubertal stage, body mass index Z-score, waist-to-height circumference ratio (increased waist-to-height circumference ratio >0.5), the presence of acanthosis nigricans, and blood pressure were assessed. The prevalence of excess weight and the change in waist-to-height circumference ratio was 37.9%. Acanthosis nigricans and increased blood pressure occurred in 20.3 and 34.8%, respectively. The prevalence of acanthosis nigricans and hypertension was higher in individuals with excess weight (p<0.001; p<0.001) and with an increased waist-to-height circumference ratio (p=0.009; p<0.001). Logistic regression showed a significant and independent association of body mass index Z-score (OR 2.35; 95%CI 1.52-3.65; p<0.001) and the presence of acanthosis nigricans (OR 2.43; 95%CI 1.12-5.23; p=0.023) with elevated blood pressure. Acanthosis nigricans and elevated blood pressure occurred in one-fifth and one-third of the individuals in an institution for children from low-income families. Overweight and the presence of acanthosis nigricans increased the risk of high blood pressure more than twofold.

OBESIDAD INFANTIL, CONOCIMIENTOS Y ACTITUDES MATERNAS EN UN CENTRO DE ATENCION PRIMARIA DE SALUD DE LA PROVINCIA DE JUJUY

Introduction: worldwide, obesity is a prominent manifestation of malnutrition among children. Objectives: to determine the nutritional status of children and to evaluate maternal knowledge and attitudes regarding childhood obesity, among clients of a Primary Health Care Clinic (PHC) in a locality of the lowland regions of the province of Jujuy. Methods: a questionnaire was administered to 100 mothers of children 2 to 5 years of age, attending the healthy children control program in a PHC. During October-November 2014 we obtained information regarding sociodemographic factors, maternal knowledge and attitudes regarding childhood obesity and measures of children's weight and height. We calculated children's body mass index (BMI) with the World Health Organization's standards. Results: 83% of the children had normal nutritional status, 6% had overweight and 8% had obesity. Among mothers, 60% did not acknowledge that excess weight can cause diabetes, only 1% perceived that their children were "fat" and 72% reported that their children were 'active"; 85% of the mothers considered important for their children to be active, 89% agreed with the statement "if a child eats normally, it is not important to be physically activite in order to be healthy", and 64% agreed with the statement "a fat child is a health child". Conclusions: Our results indicate a high prevalence of excess weight among children and a considerable level of inadequate maternal knowledge and attitudes regarding childhood obesity. There is a need to implement health education interventions to strengthen maternal abilities. Key words: childhood obesity; maternal knowledge and attitudes; primary health care setting; Argentina.

Prevalence of Childhood Short Stature, Underweight, Overweight, and Obesity Among Primary School Children.

BackgroundThis study, the first of its kind in Morocco, was conducted to compare the prevalence of growth disorders among children enrolled in public, private, urban, and rural schools in Oujda-Angad Province.MethodsA cross-sectional observational study was conducted among primary schools in Oujda-Angad Province from November 2017 to April 2018, with a stratified random cluster sampling of public, private, urban, and rural primary schools.ResultsA representative sample of 1582 students aged from five to 15 years old was selected. The sample included 779 females (49.2%) and 803 males (50.8%), with an average age of 9.3 ± 1.96 years. The average weight of the students was 29.3 ± 9.6 kg (range: 12-130 kg), the average height was 133.7 ± 12.16 cm (range: 104.5-175.5 cm), and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 16.05 ± 3.31 kg/m2 (range: 8.33-76.9 kg/m2). Overall, short stature (SS) and underweight were significantly more prevalent in the public and rural schools, while obesity was highest in the urban private schools that ranked as the schools with the highest socioeconomic status (SES) students (p < 0.01). Female students were more likely to be overweight and obese, while male students were more likely to be underweight.ConclusionOur study provides an estimate of the prevalence of excess weight, underweight, and short stature in a primary school population. Our results reflect the importance of the problem, the need to monitor the nutritional status at both the individual and the community level, and the need to put in place preventive, diagnostic, and early management strategies before the problem worsens.

Time-trend in excess weight in Brazilian adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This review aimed to estimate the time-trend prevalence of excess weight, overweight and obesity in the Brazilian adult population, from the 1970s-2020, through systematic review and meta-analysis (Protocol: CRD42018091002). A search for articles was conducted in the databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and LILACS up to June 2021. Studies that assessed excess weight, overweight and obesity in the adult population were eligible. Two authors selected studies, collected data and assessed the methodological quality of the studies. The primary outcomes were the prevalence of excess weight, overweight, and obesity by sex and period of years. Pooled prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated in the meta-analysis of the random effects model. Heterogeneity (I2) was investigated by meta-regression and publication bias was investigated by Egger's test. A total of 7,938 references were identified in the search strategies, of which eighty-nine studies and nine national surveys, conducted from 1974-2020, were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of excess weight in Brazilian adults increased from 33.5% (95% CI: 25.0; 42.6%) in 1974-1990 to 52.5% (95% CI: 47.6; 57.3%) in 2011-2020. The pooled prevalence of overweight in Brazilian adults was 24.6% (95% CI: 18.8; 31.0%) from 1974-1990 and 40.5% (95% CI: 37.0; 43.9%) from 2011-2020. The pooled prevalence of obesity in Brazilian adults increased by 15.0% from 1974-1990 to 2011-2020. The increases were observed for both men and women in almost all periods. The prevalence of excess weight and obesity remained higher among women in all periods. A continuous increase in the prevalence of excess weight, overweight and obesity were observed over the years. The prevalence of excess weight affected half of Brazilian adults in the period from 2011-2020 and both sexes.

Prevalence of Excessive Weight and Underweight and Its Associated Knowledge and Lifestyle Behaviors among Urban Private School-Going Adolescents in New Delhi.

With rapid urbanization and the Indian nutrition transition, Indian adolescents face a high risk of developing an energy imbalance. This study aims to assess the prevalence of excessive weight, underweight, and associated knowledge and lifestyle behaviors among private school-going adolescents in Delhi. A cross-sectional study was conducted in students (6th–7th grades) of eight randomly selected private schools in Delhi, India in 2019. A self-administered survey was used to assess students’ dietary-and-physical-activity-related knowledge and behavior. Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, and waist circumference) were also conducted. Out of 1567 participants, 7.2% were underweight, 61.3% normal, and 31.5% excess in weight. Underweight was associated with significantly more eating whilst studying for exams (relative risk ratio (RRR) 1.7 (1.0–2.9)). Excessive weight was associated with less incorrect knowledge on behaviors causing overweight (RRR 0.7 (0.5–0.9)), more often reading nutritional labels of packed food items (RRR 0.6 (0.4–0.9)), and less frequent vegetable-intake (RRR 0.7 (0.4–0.9)). Underweight students showed more suboptimal knowledge and unhealthy behaviors, whilst students with excessive weight showed more correct knowledge and healthy behaviors. This study highlights the immediate need for effective health-promoting interventions focused on the importance of healthy lifestyle at least in underweight adolescents.

The food environment in schools and their immediate vicinities associated with excess weight in adolescence: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The present study systematically reviewed the characteristics of the food environment in schools and their immediate vicinities associated with excess weight in adolescents. We searched for relevant articles in seven databases. No restrictions were applied on language, publication date, and status of publication. The study selection process and data extraction were conducted by two authors independently. For meta-analyses, the random-effects model and the maximum-likelihood method were applied. A total of 9327 publications were identified from the initial search. Of these, 20 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the systematic review. The sale of food in school or immediate vicinity was associated with high BMI [Odds ratio (OR)= 1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01, 2.06]. The availability of healthy food provided by school significantly decreased the odds of obesity [OR= 0.89, 95%CI 0.82, 0.96]. However, the presence of nutrition policies or programs at school was not associated with obesity (OR= 0.81, 95%CI 0.57, 1.16). This study highlights the need for improvement in school food environment, including restricting students' exposure to unhealthy foods. The quality of food (healthy vs unhealthy) provided or made available to adolescents in the school food environment influences their weight status. Therefore, promotion of healthy food programs and availability of healthy food at school would limit the prevalence of excess weight in adolescents.

Food intake, physical activity and body composition of adolescents and young adults: data from Brazilian Study of Nutrition and Health

BackgroundLifestyle acquired in youth can determine the individual’s health. Constant vigilances in all aspects related to the health of the young population is essential, and evaluate their health parameters is important. The objective of this study was to describe and to compare food intake, physical activity (PA) practice, nutritional status and body composition between adolescents and young adults.MethodsFour hundred seventy-six individuals from the Brazilian Study of Nutrition and Health (EBANS) were analyzed. Food intake was evaluated by applying two 24-h Dietary Recall. The PA and sitting time (ST) were measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire in minutes/week and metabolic equivalent task (METs). Body weight and waist circumference (WC) were measured. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference to height ratio (WHtR) were calculated. Mann-Whitney and Chi-Square tests were used.ResultsEnergy and macronutrients intake, number of meals, and breakfast skippers weren’t different between age groups. 48% of adolescents and 53% of young adults didn’t meet the PA recommendation, and adolescents practiced more PA than young adults (total PA: p = 0.006; METs: p < 0.001; leisure PA: p = 0.001); the individuals who studied practiced more PA (total PA: p = 0.034; METs: p = 0.029; leisure PA: p < 0.001) and had ST significantly higher (p = 0.009) than those who worked. Almost 30% of adolescents and 45% of young adults had excess weight; presenting difference according to nutritional status, WC and WHtR (p < 0.001).ConclusionThere is a high prevalence of excess weight among young Brazilians and differences were observed between age groups regarding nutritional status, body composition and PA practice.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.Gov NCT02226627. Retrospectively registered on August 27, 2014.

Genetic and Epigenetic Contributions to Child Heath Outcomes in the STRONG Kids 2 Cohort Study

ObjectivesChildhood obesity is becoming a significant health concern in the United States, and the prevalence of excess weight increases continuously throughout the growing years. It has been proposed that genetic variation partly contributes to the susceptibility of obesity and its development during the early onset. Thus, this study focuses on the determination of the genome-wide signatures (GWAS) and epigenomic signatures (EWAS) of divergent weight for length z scores (WFLZ) in the first year of life. In addition, it attempts to relate the molecular findings to body composition, BMI, adipose tissue deposition, in the first 5 years of life. Our objective is to generate novel preliminary data on the contributions to child health outcomes. Our approach involves integrating genetic and epigenetic variations with factors such as diet and growth. MethodsInitially, saliva samples of 426 children from SKP cohort were collected. Next, height and weight measurements were collected at intervals of 6 weeks, 3, 12, and 18 months, and 2, 3, 4 and 5 years. Measures such as maternal height and weight were also collected at the time points mentioned above. Furthermore, children were separated into three groups based on their WFLZ score trajectories (low-slow raising growth, mid stable growth and low-high rising growth) and it was demonstrated that there was a biological variation within the groups to investigate the genetic regulation of development in early life. For genomic analysis, DNA was extracted from infant saliva samples, fixed and quantified to used for genomic analysis. ResultsAfter statistical analysis 96 samples were chosen and genotyping were carried out using Illimuna Systems. Further results will be discussed at Nutrition 2021 Online. For the epigenetic analysis, EWAS analysis will be conducted and 850,000 methylation sites further will be investigated. We hypothesize that divergent growth factors in the first year of life will represent a unique epigenomic pattern and reveal new genetic targets modified by environmental variables. ConclusionsThis cohort study will provide valuable information about growth trajectories and genome and epigenome in the first 5 y of life. Funding SourcesUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, FIRE Grant