Body Mass Index Model Research Articles

Relationship between body mass index and residential segregation in large cities of Latin America

BackgroundObesity is a global health problem, and its connection with social and environmental factors is well-established. Social factors, such as urban segregation, may impact obesity through various mechanisms, including food and physical activity environments, as well as social norms and networks. This multilevel study aims to examine the effect of socio-economic residential segregation of Latin American cities on the obesity of individuals within those cities.MethodsWe analyzed data from national surveys for a total of 59,340 individuals of 18–70 years of age, conducted in 156 cities across Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico between 2007 and 2013. We adjusted two-level linear mixed models for body mass index (BMI) stratified by sex and country, controlling for age, educational level and poverty. Separate models were built for dissimilarity and isolation segregation indices.ResultsThe relationships between segregation indices and BMI were mostly not statistically significant, and in some cases, they were opposite to what was expected. The only significant relationships were observed in Colombian men, using the dissimilarity index (-7.5 [95% CI: -14.4, -0.5]) and in Colombian women, using the isolation index (-7.9 [95% CI: -14.1, -1.7]).ConclusionsWhile individual-level factors cannot fully explain differences among people in the same city, segregation indices may help. However, we found that in some cases, the relationship between BMI and segregation indices is opposite to what is expected based on prior literature. This should be considered in examining the phenomenon. Further research on obesogenic environments in segregated neighborhoods could provide valuable evidence.

A twin-driven analysis on early aging biomarkers and associations with sitting-time and physical activity.

Current physical activity guidelines may be insufficient to address health consequences in a world increasing in sedentary behavior. Physical activity is a key lifestyle factor to promote healthy aging, but few studies examine activity in conjunction with sitting. We examine how activity intensity and sitting behavior influence health and the extent to which physical activity might counter sitting. We analyzed data from the Colorado Adoption/Twin Study of Lifespan behavioral development and cognitive aging (CATSLife) in adults aged 28-49 years (M = 33.16, SD = 4.93). We fit a linear mixed-effect model for body mass index (BMI) and total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein ratio (TC/HDL). Leveraging the co-twin control approach, we explore the trade-off between sitting and physical activity. Across established adulthood, TC/HDL and BMI demonstrated increasing age trends with prolonged sitting and vigorous activity inversely associated. Moreover, after considering sitting time, we found an age-equivalent benefit of vigorous exercise where those performing 30 minutes daily had expected TC/HDL and BMI estimates that mirrored sedentary individuals 5 and 10 years younger, respectively. Co-twin control analysis suggests partial exposure effects for TC/HDL, indicating greater vigorous activity may counter sitting-health effects but with diminishing returns. Our findings support the counteracting influence of prolonged sitting and physical activity on indicators of cardiovascular and metabolic health. A compensating role of vigorous activity on sitting health links is indicated while reducing sitting time appears paramount. Public health initiatives should consider sitting and vigorous activity in tandem in guidelines to promote health maintenance and combat accelerated aging.

Tenofovir alafenamide significantly increased serum lipid levels compared with entecavir therapy in chronic hepatitis B virus patients.

Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) has a serum lipid-raising effect in patients with HIV; however, its effect on serum lipids and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) risk in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is unclear. To compare the effects of TAF and entecavir (ETV) on serum lipid levels in patients with CHB. In this retrospective cohort study, the data including the clinical features, serum lipids, and metabolic factors of patients with CHB at baseline and approximately 1 year after TAF or ETV treatment were collected and analyzed. We used propensity score-matched models to assess the effects on high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, and total cholesterol (TCHO). A total of 336 patients (75.60% male) were included; 63.69% received TAF and 36.31% received ETV. Compared with the ETV group, the TAF group had significantly higher TCHO levels after treatment (4.67 ± 0.90 vs 4.36 ± 1.05, P = 0.006). In a propensity score-matched model for body mass index, age, sex, smoking, drinking, presence of comorbidities such as NAFLD, cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension, TAF-treated patients had significantly increased TCHO levels compared to that at baseline (P = 0.019). There was no difference for the ETV group. Body mass index, sex, hypertension, baseline TCHO, and creatine kinase-MB isoenzyme levels were significantly associated with elevated TCHO levels in logistic regression analysis. However, 1-year TAF treatment did not increase the incidence of NAFLD. A greater increase in TCHO was observed in patients with CHB receiving TAF compared to those receiving ETV. However, TAF-induced dyslipidemia did not increase the incidence of NAFLD.

U-shaped link of health checkup data and need for care using a time-dependent cox regression model with a restricted cubic spline

We explored risk indicators likely to result in older adults needing certified long-term care in Japan and ascertained whether this relationship forms a U-shaped link. We analyzed a community-based cohort of residents in Kitanagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Participants were 3718 individuals aged 65 years and above who underwent health examinations between April 1, 2011 and March 31, 2012. For continuous clinical variables, we applied a time-dependent Cox regression model. Two types of models were applied—a linear and nonlinear model with restricted cubic splines—to assess the U-shaped association. Statistical significance (set at 0.05) for the nonlinearity was tested by comparing the spline and linear models. Among the participants, 701 were certified as needing Level 1 care or higher during a follow-up. Among the continuous clinical variables, the nonlinear model for body mass index, systolic blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase revealed significant U-shaped associations as compared with the linear model in which the outcome was a certification of the need for nursing care. These results provide an important insight into the usefulness of nonlinear models for predicting the risk of such certification.

Folliculin-interacting protein FNIP2 impacts on overweight and obesity through a polymorphism in a conserved 3′ untranslated region

BackgroundOverweight and obesity are defined by an anomalous or excessive fat accumulation that may compromise health. To find single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) influencing metabolic phenotypes associated with the obesity state, we analyze multiple anthropometric and clinical parameters in a cohort of 790 healthy volunteers and study potential associations with 48 manually curated SNPs, in metabolic genes functionally associated with the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway.ResultsWe identify and validate rs2291007 within a conserved region in the 3′UTR of folliculin-interacting protein FNIP2 that correlates with multiple leanness parameters. The T-to-C variant represents the major allele in Europeans and disrupts an ancestral target sequence of the miRNA miR-181b-5p, thus resulting in increased FNIP2 mRNA levels in cancer cell lines and in peripheral blood from carriers of the C allele. Because the miRNA binding site is conserved across vertebrates, we engineered the T-to-C substitution in the endogenous Fnip2 allele in mice. Primary cells derived from Fnip2 C/C mice show increased mRNA stability, and more importantly, Fnip2 C/C mice replicate the decreased adiposity and increased leanness observed in human volunteers. Finally, expression levels of FNIP2 in both human samples and mice negatively associate with leanness parameters, and moreover, are the most important contributor in a multifactorial model of body mass index prediction.ConclusionsWe propose that rs2291007 influences human leanness through an evolutionarily conserved modulation of FNIP2 mRNA levels.Graphical

Built environment as a risk factor for adult overweight and obesity: Evidence from a longitudinal geospatial analysis in Indonesia.

Indonesia has nearly doubled its urban population in the past three decades. In this period, the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Indonesia has also nearly doubled. We examined 1993-2014 panel data from the Indonesian Family Life Survey (IFLS) to determine the extent to which the increase in one's built environment contributed to a corresponding increase in adult overweight and obesity during this period. We estimated longitudinal regression models for body mass index (BMI) and being overweight or obese using novel matched geospatial measures of built-up land area. Living in a more built-up area was associated with greater BMI and risk of being overweight or obese. The contribution of the built environment was estimated to be small but statistically significant even after accounting for individuals' initial BMI. We discuss the findings considering the evidence on nutritional and technological transitions affecting food consumption patterns and physical activity levels in urban and rural areas.

Evaluation of a Flexible Weight and Height Interaction Versus Body Mass Index for Mortality Prediction After Adult Heart Transplant.

Body mass index (calculated as kilograms body weight divided by the square of heightin meters) is a known predictor of mortality after adult heart transplant but has limitations.We investigated whether inclusion of an explicit weight-height interaction effect improves prediction of mortality after heart transplant compared with body mass index. We included a cohort of 46424 adults who had undergone heart transplant as documented in the United Network for Organ Sharing database. Risk-adjusted prediction models for 1-year and 5-year mortality were constructed, one with the flexible weight-height interaction and the other with the body mass index. Overall model performance (R2) and discrimination (the Harrell concordance probability C index and the Somers Dxy rank correlation) were calculated. Compared with the body mass index model, the weight-height model had slightly improved overall performance (R2, 0.316 vs 0.313) and 1-year mortality discrimination (optimism- corrected Harrell C, 0.642 vs 0.640; Somers Dxy, 0.284 vs 0.281). Compared with the body mass index model, the weight-height model had improved overall performance (R2, 0.232 vs 0.224) and similar discrimination (optimism-corrected Harrell C, 0.600 vs 0.599; Somers Dxy, 0.200 vs 0.197) for 5-year mortality. Allowance for a flexible relationship between height and weight did not appreciably improve mortality prediction after heart transplant, versus body mass index, although additionalresearch is warranted.

Multilevel study on the effects of dietary nutrients on body mass index of Chinese children and adolescents aged 7-17

Analyze the relationship between dietary nutrients and body mass index of children and adolescents aged 7-17 in China. The data comes from the "China Health and Nutrition Survey", and 5562 children and adolescents aged 7-17 who participated in at least one round(2000, 2006, 2011 and 2015) of the survey and had complete dietary and physical measurement survey data were selected as the research objects. A three-level(community-individual-observation level) linear random intercept mixed effect model of body mass index was constructed to analyze the influence of dietary nutrient intake of children and adolescents of different genders in urban and rural areas on their body mass index(BMI).24 hours for 3 consecutive days and family weight accounting were used to evaluate the dietary nutrient intake. BMI of urban children and adolescents is higher than that of rural children and adolescents. The BMI of children and adolescents aged 12-17 is higher than that of children and adolescents aged 7-11. BMI of boys was higher than that of girls, but the difference was statistically significant only in 2011 and 2015. After controlling for confounding factors such as individual level(survey year, age, physical activity and family per capita income) and community level(community urbanization index), the three-level model showed that the BMI of rural boys increased with the increase of cholesterol intake(P<0.01). BMI of urban girls increased with the increase of vitamin B_1 intake(P<0.05) and iron intake(P<0.01). BMI of rural girls increased with the increase of vitamin E intake(P<0.001) and sodium intake(P<0.05). There are some differences in dietary nutrients that affect the BMI level of 7-17 years old children and adolescents between urban and rural areas.

Metabolomic and microbiome profiling reveals personalized risk factors for coronary artery disease.

Complex diseases, such as coronary artery disease (CAD), are often multifactorial, caused by multiple underlying pathological mechanisms. Here, to study the multifactorial nature of CAD, we performed comprehensive clinical and multi-omic profiling, including serum metabolomics and gut microbiome data, for 199 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) recruited from two major Israeli hospitals, and validated these results in a geographically distinct cohort. ACS patients had distinct serum metabolome and gut microbial signatures as compared with control individuals, and were depleted in a previously unknown bacterial species of the Clostridiaceae family. This bacterial species was associated with levels of multiple circulating metabolites in control individuals, several of which have previously been linked to an increased risk of CAD. Metabolic deviations in ACS patients were found to be person specific with respect to their potential genetic or environmental origin, and to correlate with clinical parameters and cardiovascular outcomes. Moreover, metabolic aberrations in ACS patients linked to microbiome and diet were also observed to a lesser extent in control individuals with metabolic impairment, suggesting the involvement of these aberrations in earlier dysmetabolic phases preceding clinically overt CAD. Finally, a metabolomics-based model of body mass index (BMI) trained on the non-ACS cohort predicted higher-than-actual BMI when applied to ACS patients, and the excess BMI predictions independently correlated with both diabetes mellitus (DM) and CAD severity, as defined by the number of vessels involved. These results highlight the utility of the serum metabolome in understanding the basis of risk-factor heterogeneity in CAD.

Gender differences in the relationship between dietary energy and macronutrients intake and body weight outcomes in Chinese adults

BackgroundTo explore the gender differences in the relationship between dietary energy and macronutrients intake and body weight outcomes in Chinese adults.MethodsData from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS, 2015) for10,898 participants aged 18–64 years. Three consecutive 24-h dietary recalls was used to assess the dietary intake. Quantile regression models for body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were performed separately for each sex.ResultsAdult males showed greater absolute intakes of energy and macronutrients as compared to females as per the body weight outcomes. A 10% increase in BMI resulted in an additional intake of 0.002–0.004 kcal/d of dietary energy, 0.032–0.057 g/d of fats, 0.039–0.084 g/d of proteins, and 0.018–0.028 g/d of carbohydrates across all quantiles in males (p < 0.05). A 10% increase in WC lead to an additional intake of 0.004–0.008 kcal/d of dietary energy, 0.051–0.052 g/d of carbohydrates across the entire quantile in males (p < 0.05), and an increased intake of 0.060–0.150 kcal/d of fat in females (p < 0.05).ConclusionsDietary fat intake could be the risk factor of abdominal obesity in women. The importance of gender-specific evidence should be considered before promoting macronutrient allocation for the prevention and treatment of obesity.

Adolescent caffeine consumption and mammographic breast density in premenopausal women.

Previous studies suggest that coffee and caffeine intake may be associated with reduced breast cancer risk. To date, there is limited and inconsistent epidemiologic evidence for associations of adolescent diet with mammographic breast density, a strong and consistent predictor of breast cancer. We investigated the association of adolescent caffeine intake with mammographic density in premenopausal women. This study included 751 cancer-free women within the Nurses' Health Study II cohort. Percent breast density (PD), absolute dense (DA) and non-dense areas (NDA) were measured from digitized film mammograms using a computer-assisted thresholding technique; all measures were square root-transformed. Energy-adjusted adolescent caffeine intake was estimated using the data from a food frequency questionnaire. Information regarding breast cancer risk factors was obtained from questionnaires closest to the mammogram date. We used generalized linear regression to quantify associations of caffeine intake with breast density measures. In multivariable analyses, adolescent caffeine intake was not associated with any of the density phenotypes (caffeine 4th vs. 1st quartile: β = - 1.27, 95% CI - 4.62; 2.09, p-trend = 0.55 for percent density; β = - 0.21, 95% CI - 0.76, 0.34, p-trend = 0.65 for absolute dense area, and β = 0.23, 95% CI - 0.28, 0.74, p-trend = 0.50 for non-dense area). Additional adjustment of the models for body mass index at age 18 resulted in attenuation of the risk estimates. Our findings do not support the hypothesis that adolescent caffeine intake is associated with premenopausal mammographic breast density.

Obesity-Related Genetic Variants and Hyperuricemia Risk in Chinese Men.

Objective: Obesity/metabolic syndrome and hyperuricemia are clinically associated; however, the association of obesity/metabolic syndrome-related genetic variants with hyperuricemia is not clear. Therefore, we assessed this association in Chinese men diagnosed with hyperuricemia in comparison to a non-hyperuricemia group.Methods: We genotyped 47 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously identified to be associated with obesity or metabolic syndrome in 474 adult males (aged ≥ 18 years) using multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Multivariate logistic regression was used to investigate the association between the genetic variations and hyperuricemia. Stratified analyses were applied to further assess the associations.Results: The obesity-related SNP in MSRA rs545854 significantly affected serum uric acid levels. In addition, the G-allele of rs545854 was positively associated with the risk of hyperuricemia [odds ratio (OR) = 2.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.19–6.64, P = 0.0188]. After adjusting the model for body mass index and central obesity, rs545854 was shown to be an independent factor increasing the risk of hyperuricemia (OR = 2.81, 95%CI = 1.18–6.70, P = 0.0196). Stratified analyses also showed a significant association between rs545854 and hyperuricemia among meat eaters (OR = 2.62, 95%CI = 1.09–6.26, P = 0.0308).Conclusion: The obesity-related SNP rs545854 was correlated with the serum uric acid level and risk of hyperuricemia in a male Chinese population. Therefore, men carrying this SNP could benefit from limiting their meat consumption to prevent hyperuricemia. These findings suggest an underlying genetic link between obesity and hyperuricemia worthy of further exploration.

ACE inhibitor use and risk of cataract: a case–control analysis

Background/AimUse of ACE inhibitors (ACEIs) has been associated with an increased risk of cataract in a previous observational study in humans. In contrast, ACEIs were associated with beneficial effects on...

Changes in adiposity and other factors in relation to age at natural menopause: analyses from the coronary artery risk development (CARDIA) study.

The age at natural menopause has subsequent health implications. Earlier age at natural menopause is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, and stroke. Despite extensive study, no clear and conclusive association between anthropometric measures and age at natural menopause has emerged. This study aims to assess whether baseline and/or longitudinal changes in adiposity are associated with age at natural menopause. In all, 2,030 premenopausal women from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study-a prospective study with 25 years follow-up-were included for analysis from 1985 to 1986 until menopause was attained. Anthropometry included body mass index and waist circumference. Discrete-time survival analysis was then used to determine the association between anthropometric measures at baseline, and also their changes with age at natural menopause, while adjusting for various time-varying and invariant covariates in separate models for body mass index and waist circumference. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that baseline body mass index (hazard ratio [HR] 0.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.94-0.98) and baseline waist circumference (HR 0.98, 95% CI 0.97-0.99) significantly increased the risk of later age at natural menopause. Neither time-varying body mass index nor waist circumference indicating change across time associated with age at natural menopause. Premenopausal hypertension was strongly associated with an earlier age at natural menopause. These findings show that age at natural menopause is partly determined by modifiable factors such as premenopausal hypertension and baseline adiposity. These results highlight the importance of both control and prevention of cardiovascular risk factors such as excess weight in early to mid-adulthood before menopause onset.

Actividad física y calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en escolares: análisis mediante ecuaciones estructurales

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Garamond;"&gt;The aim of this research was to develop an explanatory model of body mass index (BMI), health-related quality of life, and physical activity, and to analyse the effects of the physical variables on the levels of physical activity, self-esteem and health-related quality of life. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 631 Spanish schoolchildren (12.5 ± 1.4 years old).&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;They completed questionnaires on self-esteem (Rosemberg test), physical activity (PAQ-C), Mediterranean diet (KIDMED), quality of life (KIDSCREEN-27) and had their BMI and maximum oxygen uptake measured. Structural equations constituted the statistical analyses. A correlation was found between lower BMI and fewer hours of self-reported screen time which was also conducive to higher cardio-respiratory levels and greater engagement in physical activity. More physical activity and better dietary care were related generally with higher health-related quality of life and self-esteem. The model demonstrated acceptable goodness of fit. Findings of the study suggest physical activity and positive dietary behaviours should be promoted in Spanish schools as incremental improvements have the potential to concordantly improve a large range of healthful outcomes including health-related quality of life, self-esteem and BMI.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Health Belief Model Offers Opportunities for Designing Weight Management Interventions for College Students

ObjectiveIdentify weight-related beliefs of college students and test the predictive power of the Health Belief Model for body mass index (BMI). DesignCross-sectional online survey with beliefs measured on 5-point scales. SettingUniversity in North Carolina. ParticipantsUndergraduates (n = 516; 91.9%), females (n = 399; 71.3%), white non-Hispanic students (n = 507; 86.2%), and 20.3% of overweight or obese status. Variables MeasuredPerceived severity, susceptibility, barriers, benefits, and internal and external cues to action. AnalysisOne-way ANOVA and regression. Significance was P < .05. ResultsStrongest beliefs concerned benefits of healthy eating and physical activity (mean, 4.1 ± 0.7); weakest beliefs concerned barriers to adopting such behaviors (mean, 2.6 ± 0.9). The regression model was statistically significant (P < .001) and explained 17% of variance in BMI (multivariate coefficient = 0.177). Perceived severity, susceptibility, external cues, barriers, and benefits predicted BMI. Conclusions and ImplicationsSeveral beliefs were identified that could serve as the basis for weight-related interventions addressing specific concerns, needs, and goals of college students.

PENGARUH MODEL PEMBELAJARAN KOOPERATIF NHT DAN STAD TERHADAP HASIL BELAJAR PENGETAHUAN BIOLOGI SISWA SMA NEGERI 2 GERUNG

This study aims to determine differences of knowledge biology student learning outcomes between groups of students who receive NHT cooperative learning model and STAD cooperative learning model treatment for digestive system. This research was conducted at SMAN 2 Gerung in class of XI. This study is a quasi-experimental research using modified of Type Between Group Design with Pre-posttest design. The number of population was 44 students that using simple random sampling in order to obtain two classes of experiments. Data were analyzed using inferential statistical analysis and hypothesis was tested using t-test analysis with SPSS version 20 for Windows. The results showed: First, there was no significant difference about knowledge learning outcome between the group the of students using NHT cooperative learning model and group of students using STAD cooperative learning model in the substance of Food, Food Healthy Menu, Structure and Function of Cells Network of Human Digestive System, Network Structure System of Ruminant Digestion, and Digestive Disorders Bioprocess Systems that gained tcount ≤ ttable (p&gt; 0.05). Second, a group of students using STAD cooperative learning model has an average value of knowledge learning outcome that is significantly higher than the group of students that use NHT cooperative learning model for Body Mass Index (BMI) and Basal Metallic Rate (BMR) that gained value ttable &lt; tcount (p ≤ 0.05).Keyword: NHT cooperative learning model, STAD cooperative learning model, student’s knowledge learning outcome of biology

The Association Between Central Fat Distribution and Recurrent Cardiovascular Disease Events in Female Survivors of Nonfatal Myocardial Infarction

Visceral fat has been shown to be an important predictor of metabolic alterations that lead to increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, morbidity, and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between central fat distribution and the risk of recurrent coronary events among a cohort of female myocardial infarction (MI) survivors. Participants included 356 women (mean ± SD age, 55 ± 8.71 years) discharged alive after an incident MI from hospitals in Erie and Niagara (New York) counties between 1996 and 2004. A recurrent cardiovascular event was any nonfatal or fatal International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision-coded diagnosis between 390 and 450. The mean ± SD follow-up time was 4.01 ± 2.6 years. Interviews and self-administered follow-up surveys were used to collect pertinent information, and a search of the National Death Index Plus database was completed. Eighty-five women experienced a recurrent cardiovascular event. Using Cox proportional hazards analyses, the crude model for body mass index suggested that after incident MI, women had a 39% risk of a recurrent CVD event (hazard ratio [HR], 1.39; confidence interval [CI], 0.76-2.54; P = .293), whereas crude models for waist circumference and sagittal abdominal distention showed the risk to be more than twice as high (HR, 2.12; CI, 1.08-4.16; P = .010; and HR, 2.16; CI, 1.09-4.28; P = .037, respectively). Both measures of central fat distribution appeared to be better predictors of recurrent cardiovascular events when compared with body mass index, whereas sagittal abdominal distention was the better predictor compared with waist circumference, even after multivariate adjustment. After adjusting for secondary prevention interventions-statin, aspirin, β-blocker use, and physical activity-the risk of recurrent event was observed to decrease by about 1%. These results suggest that central fat distribution is positively associated with a recurrence of cardiovascular events after incident MI in women. The absence of decreased risk with secondary prevention interventions suggests that more investigation into the association of central abdominal fat and secondary prevention management is warranted.

Building a Quantitative Evidence Base for Population Health Modelling to Address Childhood Overweight and Obesity

In 2010-11, Statistics Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) collaborated to develop a dynamic Population HEalth Microsimulation model for Body Mass Index (POHEM-BMI) of the impact of BMI and health outcomes and costs averted for Canada to estimate the relative effectiveness (net health outcomes and costs avoided) of obesity interventions. To guide decisions to address trends in childhood obesity in Canada, PHAC required evidence of child interventions and quantitative estimates of their effect. This research report will introduce participants to POHEM-BMI as an accessible planning tool for evidence-based policy on childhood obesity in Canada. It will also introduce participants to a project that aimed to compile a preliminary quantitative evidence base of interventions for addressing childhood obesity to be used to specify a set of alternative scenarios for POHEM-BMI, and to consider future needs for the application of POHEM-BMI as an accessible planning tool for evidence-based policy action. Evidence was prioritized to include intervention evidence reviews (vs. correlation research or single studies) with BMI as an outcome measure. A total of 14 study findings fell within five broad types of interventions: reducing food advertising to children (2), reducing screen time (3), school-based (4) and non-school-based (4) interventions to increase physical activity and healthy eating, and a school-based intervention to reduce consumption of carbonated drinks (1). Future needs for strengthening the capacity of the POHEM-BMI model to contribute to evidence-based policy relate to search strategies, reporting intervention characteristics, developing child population databases, and creating a POHEM-BMI user guide.

Parental and early childhood influences on adolescent obesity: a longitudinal study

The influence of parental and early childhood factors on adolescent obesity was investigated using a longitudinal model of body mass index (BMI) from birth to 14 years. Trajectories of BMI using linear mixed model (LMM) analysis were used to investigate the influence of early parental and childhood factors on BMI at 14 years in the Raine birth cohort study over eight follow-ups (n = 1403). An inverse relationship between parental education attainment and BMI was found (mothers χ 2 = 21.75, p = 0.016; LMM p = 0.043; fathers χ 2 = 21.19, p = 0.020; LMM p > 0.05). More overweight adolescents had mothers who smoked during pregnancy (χ 2 = 12.60, p = 0.002). Parental birth weight and BMI across years (p < 0.001) were strongly associated with adolescent obesity (LMM p < 0.05). Obese adolescents visited the park or playground infrequently as toddlers (p < 0.05). Results for early home environment factors were mixed. Maternal education, parental birth weight, and parental BMI were the strongest influences on their child's BMI from birth to adolescence.