Childhood Obesity Research Articles

The Relationship between Consumption Patterns of Macronutrients, Fiber, and Physical Activity with the Incidence of Obesity at Nuris Jember High School

Obesity is one of the global health problems whose incidence is expected to continue to increase every year. Obesity in adolescents is caused by many factors including changes in lifestyle, physical activity, diet with food intake that exceeds the body's needs, improper eating behavior by consuming more fast food, packaged food, and food with unbalanced nutrients. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between macronutrient diet, fiber, and physical activity with the incidence of obesity at Nuris Jember High School. This method is an observational study with a case-control design. Sample selection using purpose sampling of as many as 81 respondents consisting of 27 cases and 54 controls. The research instruments used were weight measurement, height, SQ-FFQ form, and PAL. Data were processed using statistical applications using the chi-square test and if not eligible, the Fisher's exact test was performed with a significant value of p less than 0.005. The results of macronutrient consumption patterns and physical activity have a significant relationship with the incidence of obesity (p less than 0.005). While the study could not analyze fiber consumption patterns due to homogeneous results, the existing findings provide a solid foundation for targeted nutrition education programs and public health strategies. This study concludes that there is a relationship between macronutrient consumption patterns and physical activity with the incidence of obesity. This conclusion underscores the importance of balanced diets and regular physical activity in preventing and managing obesity among adolescents.

Alternate-day fasting delays pubertal development in normal-weight mice but prevents high-fat diet-induced obesity and precocious puberty

Background/ObjectivesChildhood obesity, particularly in girls, is linked to early puberty onset, heightening risks for adult-onset diseases. Addressing childhood obesity and precocious puberty is vital to mitigate societal burdens. Despite existing costly and invasive medical interventions, introducing lifestyle-based alternatives is essential. Our study investigates alternate-day fasting’s (ADF) impact on pubertal development in normal-weight and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese female mice.MethodsFour groups of female mice were utilized, with dams initially fed control chow during and before pregnancy. Post-parturition, two groups continued on control chow, while two switched to an HFD. Offspring diets mirrored maternal exposure. One control and one HFD group were subjected to ADF. Morphometry and hormone analyses at various time points were performed.ResultsOur findings demonstrate that ADF in normal-weight mice led to reduced body length, weight, uterine, and ovarian weights, accompanied by delayed puberty and lower levels of sex hormones and growth hormone (GH). Remarkably, GH treatment effectively prevented ADF-induced growth reduction but did not prevent delayed puberty. Conversely, an HFD increased body length, induced obesity and precocious puberty, and altered sex hormones and leptin levels, which were counteracted by ADF regimen. Our data indicate ADF’s potential in managing childhood obesity and precocious puberty.ConclusionsADF reduced GH and sex hormone levels, contributing to reduced growth and delayed puberty, respectively. Therefore, parents of normal-weight children should be cautious about prolonged overnight fasting. ADF prevented HFD-induced obesity and precocious puberty, offering an alternative to medical approaches; nevertheless, further studies are needed for translation into clinical practice.

Influence of the consumatory behavior onto the risk of obesity and its complications in primary school children

Objective. To identify the relationship of eating behavior and clinical and metabolic status of 6–11-year-old children in order to develop effective methods for prevention and treatment of obesity and its complications. Materials and methods. 94 children aged 6 to 11 participated in the research. They formed 2 groups: group I (n = 64) – obese children (standard deviation score (SDS) of body mass index (BMI) ≥ +2.0), group II (n = 30) – children with normal body weight (SDS BMI –1.0 … +1.0). Clinical and laboratory parameters were studied and eating behavior was assessed using the Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire. Results. As a result of the study, it was determined that average values of triglycerides (TG), uric acid (UA), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), fasting glycemia (FG), p = 0.001, p = 0.002, p 0.001, p 0.001 were higher in obese children. The following features of the eating behavior in obese children have been revealed: a more active reaction to food and emotional overeating, p = 0.016, p = 0.004 Statistically significant direct moderate correlations between SDS BMI and the level of TG, UA, TSH and FG under the influence of eating behavior according to the “eating approach” type were established. Conclusions. An association between the pattern of eating behavior in obese children aged 6–11 and their clinical and metabolic status, which determines the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases in the future was revealed. The results obtained are a justification for identifying the nature of children`s eating behavior in order to prevent the development of obesity and associated complications, as well as to increase the effectiveness of therapy.

The Role of Mothers’ Varied Parenting Styles in Childhood Obesity

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of mothers' democratic, authoritarian, permissive, and overprotective parenting styles in childhood obesity and mothers' perception of their children's body weight. Method: The research was cross-sectional in design, and a total of 94 children aged between two and six years were included, together with their mothers. Mothers were administered the Parental Attitude Scale, and children's Body Mass Index (BMI) was classified using age- gender-specific tables of the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF). The effect of mothers' parental attitudes on their children's BMI groups was evaluated. However, mothers matched their child's appearance to the appearance they thought corresponded to the age and gender-specific weight plot and mothers' weight perceptions were evaluated. Results: The prevalence of overweight-obesity among children was found to be 19.2%. There wasn’t statistically difference between democratic, authoritarian, overprotective and permissive parenting styles and BMI categories of children (p=0.819, p=0.878, p=0.319, p=0.494). The mothers of overweight-obese children perceived their children as significantly overweight compared to other children (p

The Metabolic Programming of Pubertal Onset.

There is increasing evidence that maternal factors such as nutritional status (both under and over-nutrition) and diabetes, alongside prenatal exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), are associated with early pubertal onset in offspring. Such children are also at increased risk of the metabolic syndrome during adolescence and young adulthood. This literature review focuses on the role of the prenatal environment in programming pubertal onset, and the impact of prenatal metabolic stressors on the declining average age of puberty. A review of all relevant literature was conducted in PubMed by the authors. The mechanism for this appears to be mediated through metabolic signals, such as leptin and insulin, on the kisspeptin-neuronal nitric oxide-gonadotropin releasing hormone (KiNG) axis. Exposed children have an elevated risk of childhood obesity and display a phenotype of hyperinsunlinaemia and hyperleptinaemia. These metabolic changes permit an earlier attainment of the nutritional "threshold" for puberty. Unfortunately, this cycle may be amplified across subsequent generations, however early intervention may help "rescue" progression of this programming.

A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Loss versus Gain Incentives to Improve Adherence to an Obesity Treatment Intervention in Adolescents.

Adherence to pediatric obesity treatment can be challenging. Monetary incentives improve adherence to lifestyle interventions, with incentives framed as loss often more effective than those framed as gain. The objectives of this study were to determine if monetary incentives in the form of gift cards would improve adherence to an obesity treatment intervention and whether framing the incentive as either loss or gain affected adherence. Sixty adolescents with obesity (body mass index of ≥95th percentile for age and sex) were recruited from our pediatric obesity treatment program. They were randomized into one of three groups and given a monthly adherence score (AS) of up to 100 points. These points were based on completing a medical visit, reporting on diet intake, and measuring daily steps on a wearable tracker. The Gain Group (GG), N = 20, started each month with USD 0 in a virtual account and increased their monetary reward up to USD 100 depending on AS. The Loss Group (LG), N = 21, began each month with USD 100 in their virtual account, which decreased based on adherence. The Control Group (CG), N = 19, received USD 10 monthly. Adherence was highest in the GG, with 66.0 points, compared to the LG, with 54.9 points, and CG, with 40.6 points, with p < 0.01. The GG had greater adherence to their step goal (14.6) and dietary reporting (18.7) compared to the LG (10.0 and 13.9) and the CG (3.9 and 8.1), p < 0.005. Gain-framed incentives are superior to loss-framed ones in improving adherence to pediatric obesity treatments.

Metabolic surgery in severely obese adolescents: which technique provides the best benefits?

Obesity is a public health and global health problem due to the disease burden it generates across all age groups, as well as being a pandemic due to its high prevalence worldwide. Bariatric surgery has traditionally been described as an aggressive option in the adolescent population. However, as the evolution of these patients over time and the improvement in health outcomes have been rigorously analyzed, it is positioned as an effective and safe intervention. Recently, novel high-quality evidence has emerged, sparking international scientific discourse on which techniques provide the most benefits and are safer in bariatric surgery for adolescents with severe obesity. Then, the aim of this review was to analyze the most recent clinical evidence, based on study designs, regarding clinical and surgical outcomes obtained by surgical techniques used during bariatric surgery in the management of severe obesity in adolescents. After the literature review, it was identified that surgical resolution for severe obesity in adolescents is effective and safe, with better benefits observed when using Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. There is a similar frequency of adverse events compared to sleeve gastrectomy and gastric banding. Micronutrient deficiency is the primary adverse event, which is potentially preventable and treatable.

NUTRIÇÃO E PREVENÇÃO DA OBESIDADE INFANTIL: UMA REVISÃO ABRANGENTE DA LITERATURA

Childhood obesity is a global public health problem due to its high epidemic levels. Many overweight children have easy access to sugary foods and pasta, and consume little vegetables and fruits, resulting in an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure. In order to explore this topic, the general objective of this study is to review the literature on nutritional interventions for preventing childhood obesity. The methodology corresponds to a narrative literature review, where 16 scientific publications were selected for analysis from the PubMed, Scielo, PubMed and Bireme databases. The evidence indicates that childhood obesity is caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, socioeconomic and behavioral factors, constituting a multifactorial cause. This contributes to a sedentary lifestyle, chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. It is concluded that nutritional interventions are essential to prevent pediatric obesity and include healthy eating habits associated with physical activity. The role of schools, families and educational programs in this process is also highlighted.

Mapping between measurement scales in meta-analysis, with application to measures of body mass index in children.

Quantitative evidence synthesis methods aim to combine data from multiple medical trials to infer relative effects of different interventions. A challenge arises when trials report continuous outcomes on different measurement scales. To include all evidence in one coherent analysis, we require methods to "map" the outcomes onto a single scale. This is particularly challenging when trials report aggregate rather than individual data. We are motivated by a meta-analysis of interventions to prevent obesity in children. Trials report aggregate measurements of body mass index (BMI) either expressed as raw values or standardized for age and sex. We develop three methods for mapping between aggregate BMI data using known or estimated relationships between measurements on different scales at the individual level. The first is an analytical method based on the mathematical definitions of z-scores and percentiles. The other two approaches involve sampling individual participant data on which to perform the conversions. One method is a straightforward sampling routine, while the other involves optimization with respect to the reported outcomes. In contrast to the analytical approach, these methods also have wider applicability for mapping between any pair of measurement scales with known or estimable individual-level relationships. We verify and contrast our methods using simulation studies and trials from our data set which report outcomes on multiple scales. We find that all methods recreate mean values with reasonable accuracy, but for standard deviations, optimization outperforms the other methods. However, the optimization method is more likely to underestimate standard deviations and is vulnerable to non-convergence.

A-227 One Step Toward Implementation of Advanced Lipoprotien Testing in Children: A Pilot Study on Pediatric Reference Ranges

Abstract Background Abnormal serum lipid levels in childhood are associated with dyslipidemia and increased risk of cardiovascular disease in adulthood. High prevalence of childhood obesity in the US has increased concerns about the adverse effects of abnormal lipids in children, prompting recommendations for universal lipid screening in adolescents. While specialized analysis of lipoproteins by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has been predominately used in adults with risk factors for CVD, our laboratory also receives pediatric samples for NMR testing, most commonly associated with diagnostic codes for hyperlipidemia and/or abnormal weight gain. Currently adult-based reference ranges for the NMR lipoprotein measurements are used in children. The objective of this pilot study was to compare lipoprotein profiles of healthy adults and children and to assess the impact of reference intervals for children on clinical interpretation of pediatric results. Methods Serum samples were collected from 60 healthy children, ages 1 - 17 years, and 148 self-identified healthy adults, ages 19 - 64 years old. NMR lipoprotein analysis was performed using the Axinon lipoFIT by NMR assay on a 600 MHz NMR (Bruker). Statistical analysis was conducted in Excel and Graph Pad Prism. Reference intervals (RIs) were determined in EP Evaluator as the central 95% interval. Results The levels of atherogenic low-density lipoprotein particle number (LDL-P) and small LDL-P (sLDL-P) were significantly lower in children compared to adults: 783±222 vs 1212±412 nmol/L and 302±142 vs 498±306 nmol/L, respectively (p&amp;lt;0.00001). Additionally, LDL size (LDL-s) was significantly larger in children than adults (21.23±0.29 vs 21.06±0.44 nm, p=0.006), reflecting prevalence of less dense LDL-P in the former group. Pediatric samples also had lower number of anti-atherogenic high-density lipoprotein particles (HDL-P) compared to adults: 29.4±4.6 vs 33.5±4.6 µmol/L, p&amp;lt;0.00001. The significant differences in the number and size of lipoprotein particles between adults and children implies that currently used adult reference intervals might not be appropriate for evaluating pediatric NMR samples. Therefore, we estimated RIs for our heathy pediatric and adult cohorts and applied these RIs to our retrospective data of 618 samples from children 1-17 years old, which were submitted for NMR lipoprotein testing in recent years. The analysis showed that using the adult RIs, 37% and 27% of pediatric samples would not flag for abnormally elevated LDL-P and sLDL-P, respectively; but they would be flagged based on the RI derived from our pediatric cohort. Moreover, 12% pediatric samples flagged for low HDL-P would have normal HDL-P levels if pediatric RIs are used instead of adult RIs. Conclusions Use of adult reference intervals in children may result in misclassification of lipid status and underestimation or overestimation of dyslipidemia and CVD risk in children. This pilot study highlights the need for pediatric reference intervals to guide interpretation of advanced lipid testing in children.

Causal Relationship Between Childhood Obesity and Sleep Apnea Syndrome: Bidirectional Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Analysis.

Childhood obesity has become a global pandemic, leading to a range of diseases. Childhood obesity appears to be associated with an increased prevalence of sleep apnea syndrome. Sleep apnea is an inestimable risk factor for thrombosis, hypertension, cardiomyopathy and many other diseases. Therefore, exploring the relationship between childhood obesity and sleep apnea syndrome will help to understand the potential link between the two and provide research directions for future disease prevention and treatment. However, no studies have confirmed whether there is a causal relationship between childhood obesity and sleep apnea syndrome. The IEU OpenGWAS project provided the GWAS-aggregated data for childhood obesity and sleep apnea syndrome. Inverse-variance weighted (IVW) was used as the main method to evaluate the causal relationship between childhood obesity and sleep apnea syndrome. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were regarded as instrumental variables, and the screening threshold was P <5.0×10-6. Leave-one-out method was performed to confirm the robustness of the results. IVW analysis confirmed a causal relationship between genetic susceptibility to childhood obesity and an increased risk of sleep apnea syndrome [odds ratio (OR)=1.12, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02-1.23, P=0.016]. However, two-sample MR results also showed no causal relationship between genetic susceptibility to sleep apnea syndrome and an increased risk of childhood obesity (OR=1.50, 95% CI: 0.95-2.38, P=0.083). The intercept of MR-Egger regression was close to 0, which implies that there are no confounding factors in the analysis to affect the results of two-sample MR analysis. The leave-one-out results show that the bidirectional two-sample MR analysis results were robust. There is a causal relationship between genetic susceptibility to childhood obesity and increased risk of sleep apnea syndrome. People with a history of childhood obesity should pay more attention to physical examination to early prevention and management of sleep apnea syndrome.

Unravel the distinct effects of adiposity at different life stages on COVID-19 susceptibility and severity: A life-course Mendelian randomization study.

Childhood obesity is widely recognized as a risk factor for numerous health conditions, particularly cardiovascular disease. However, it remains unclear whether childhood adiposity directly affects the risk of COVID-19 in later life. We aimed to investigate the causal effects of early life adiposity on COVID-19 susceptibility and severity. We used genetic instruments from large-scale genome-wide association studies to examine the relationships between birth weight, childhood and adulthood adiposity indicators (including body mass index [BMI], obesity, and body size), and COVID-19 outcomes. Univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses were used to obtain the causal estimates. Univariable MR analyses found that childhood BMI and obesity were positively associated with COVID-19 risk and severity in adulthood, however, the significant associations were attenuated to null after further adjusting for adulthood adiposity indicators in multivariable MR analyses. In contrast, our analysis revealed strong evidence of a genetically predicted effect of childhood obesity on COVID-19 hospitalization (OR 1.08, 95% CI: 1.01-1.15, p = 2.12E-2), which remained robust even after adjusting for adulthood obesity and potential lifestyle confounders. Our results highlight the importance of promoting healthy weight management throughout life to reduce the risk of COVID-19.

Gestational exposure to organophosphate ester flame retardants and risk of childhood obesity in the environmental influences on child health outcomes consortium

Introduction: Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are increasing in use as flame retardants and plasticizers and concerns have been raised given their endocrine-disrupting activities and possible obesogenic consequences. However, longitudinal studies on gestational OPE exposure and childhood obesity are scarce. This study examined whether OPE levels in maternal urine during pregnancy were associated with the risk of childhood obesity. Methods: OPEs were analyzed in pregnancy urine samples of 5,087 individuals from 14 studies contributing to the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Cohort. BDCPP, DBUP/DIBP, and DPHP, detected in > 80 % of the samples, were modeled continuously and by tertiles; whereas BCPP, BBOEP, and BCETP, detected in 50–80 % of samples, were modeled categorically (not-detected, low, and high). Childhood obesity was defined by BMI z-score ≥ 95th percentile according to WHO (<2 years) and the CDC (≥2 years) metrics. Adjusted modified Poisson regression models assessed childhood obesity risk and the mixture effect was assessed using Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR). Results: BMI measurements were available for 3,827 children in infancy (0.5–1.9 years), 3,921 children in early childhood (2.0–4.9 years), and 2,541 children in mid-childhood (5.0–10.0 years). Obesity was present in 16–21 % of children across age groups. In mid-childhood DBUP/DIBP second and third versus first tertiles were associated with increased obesity risk (RR 1.14; 95 % CI: 1.02, 1.28; and RR 1.11; 95 % CI: 0.97, 1.27; respectively); whereas BDCPP second and third versus first tertiles reflected an inverse association with obesity risk (RR 0.85; 95 % CI: 0.80, 0.91 and RR 0.91; 95 % CI: 0.77, 1.07; respectively). No association with obesity risk was observed for DPHP, BCPP, BBOEP, and BCETP. Directions observed were consistent with those seen in BKMR models. Conclusions: This study identified mixed associations between gestational OPE exposure and childhood obesity. Further investigation across a comprehensive range of OPE exposures is warranted.

Pediatric Obesity's Effect on Open and Laparoscopic Appendectomy Outcomes

Abstract Background Pediatric obesity is a common comorbid condition that may complicate pediatric surgeries, such as appendectomy. Prior research on the consequences of obesity on pediatric appendectomy outcomes have been limited by small-sample sizes and pooled analyses that do not distinguish the effects of surgical approach. Associations between surgical approach, pediatric obesity, and postoperative appendectomy outcomes thus remain unclear. Objective To analyze postoperative appendectomy outcomes by accounting for pediatric obesity, appendectomy approach, and their interaction. This is a retrospective cohort population analysis. Nationwide data of pediatric inpatients from the United States were obtained. All pediatric patients who had an appendectomy were selected from the 2019 Kids' Inpatient Database. Materials and Methods Outcomes variables were the length of stay and postoperative complication rate. The primary exposure variables were pediatric obesity, surgical approach (laparoscopic [LA] vs. open appendectomy [OA]), and an interaction term between the two. Control variables were patient demographics, clinical complexity, and geographic location. Multiple regression was used to determine relationships between the outcome, exposure, and control variables. Results A total of 49,037 pediatric patients had an appendectomy, with the number of OA and LA being 4,517 and 44,420, respectively. LA patients had 5.8% (p &lt; 0.001) shorter length of stay than OA patients. For obese patients, length of stay was 31.8% (p &lt; 0.001) longer than for nonobese patients, but LA (compared with OA) reduced it by 19% (p &lt; 0.007). Obesity had no effect on the number of postoperative complications. Conclusion Obese patients had significantly longer length of stay than nonobese counterparts following OA (31.8%), but this difference was minimized for LA patients (15.81%). There was no association between complication rate, obesity, and surgical approach. Our findings will enable more accurate estimations of pediatric patients' postoperative courses and efficient allocation of limited hospital resources. Further research may wish to study the effects of other common pediatric comorbidities on other procedures.

Cost-effectiveness of mandating calorie labels on prepared foods in supermarkets

The US has required chain food establishments-including supermarkets-to display calorie labels on prepared (i.e., ready-to-eat) foods since 2018. Implementation of this supermarket calorie labeling policy reduced purchases of prepared foods from supermarkets, but it remains unknown whether the policy is cost-effective. In 2023-2024, this study applied the Childhood Obesity Intervention Cost-Effectiveness Study (CHOICES) microsimulation model to estimate the effects of the supermarket calorie labeling policy on health, costs, and cost-effectiveness over 10 years (2018-2027) for the US population. The model projected benefits overall and among racial, ethnic, and income subgroups. Sensitivity analyses varied assumptions about the extent to which consumers replace calorie reductions from prepared foods with calories from other sources (i.e., caloric compensation). From 2018-2027, the supermarket calorie labeling policy was projected to save $348 million in healthcare costs (95% Uncertainty Interval [UI]: $263-426 million), prevent 21,700 cases of obesity (95% UI: 18,200-25,400), including 3,890 cases of childhood obesity (95% UI: 2,680-5,120), and lead to 15,100 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained across the US population (95% UI: 10,900-20,500). The policy was projected to prevent cases of obesity and childhood obesity across all racial, ethnic, and income groups. The policy was projected to be cost-saving when assuming low and moderate caloric compensation and cost-effective when assuming very high caloric compensation. A policy requiring calorie labels on prepared foods in supermarkets was projected to be cost-saving or cost-effective and lead to reductions in obesity across all racial, ethnic, and income groups.

Sport participation, weight status, and physical fitness in French adolescents.

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the associations between sport participation and weight status with physical fitness among French adolescents. The secondary aim was to establish sex- and age-specific physical fitness percentiles for French adolescents. The sample comprised 8084 adolescents (4126 boys, 3958 girls), aged 10-14years. Participants were tested on cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular strength using the following tests: 20-m shuttle run test and handgrip strength test. A questionnaire on organized sport participation was completed. Physical fitness levels were better in boys (P < 0.005). Handgrip strength increased with age whereas 20-m shuttle run performance decreased with age. Overweight and obese adolescents had significantly lower cardiorespiratory fitness levels than their normal-weight peers (P < 0.005), whereas normal-weight adolescents had lower cardiorespiratory fitness than thin adolescents (P < 0.005). Sport participation was higher for boys (57.2% boys vs. 52.8% girls) (P < 0.001). Adolescents who participated in at least one organized sport (either through a club or at school) were fitter than those who did not participate in organized sports (P < 0.005). Adolescents who engaged in organized sports were more active and physically fit than those who did not participate. The fitness benefits of club sports are greater than those provided by school-based sports, highlighting the potential of sports clubs as a key setting for promoting health. What is Known: • Physical fitness is a strong marker of health in children and adolescents. • The last French Report Card highlighted the lack of fitness data and the need for nationwide programs, while showing a significant decline in cardiorespiratory fitness among youth in recent decades.. What is New: • This study reveals that adolescents participating in organized sports have better physical fitness compared to their peers who do not, emphasizing the potential advantages of club sports over school-based activities. • We highlight the need for targeted strategies, particularly for overweight or obese adolescents and girls, to increase participation in organized sports and enhance health outcomes. • The study emphasizes the need to develop policies that improve access to organized sports clubs and expand physical education in schools, aiming to improve CRF in adolescents.

Use of glucagon-like-peptide 1 receptor agonist in the treatment of childhood obesity.

Pediatric obesity is a growing epidemic. Lifestyle modifications remain central to obesity treatment, however pharmacologic options have gained traction, particularly glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA). This review aims to summarize evidence on the use of GLP-1RAs in the management of pediatric obesity, physiological mechanisms of action of GLP-1RAs and their role in appetite regulation and glucose homeostasis and address the challenges and special considerations surrounding GLP-1RA use. Recent studies have highlighted the efficacy of GLP-1RAs, such as exenatide, liraglutide, and semaglutide, in promoting weight loss and improving metabolic parameters in children and adolescents. GLP-1RA's efficacy extends beyond glycemic control to include weight loss mechanisms such as delayed gastric emptying (gastroparesis), and appetite suppression. Semaglutide, the newest GLP-1RA, holds potential for substantial weight loss in adolescents and demonstrates a similar safety and efficacy as seen in adults. GLP-1RAs may offer a promising adjunct therapy for pediatric obesity, particularly in cases where lifestyle interventions alone are insufficient. However, further research is needed to elucidate long-term safety and efficacy outcomes and to address potential disparities in access to care. Overall, this review highlights the relevance and timeliness of incorporating GLP-1RAs into the comprehensive management of pediatric obesity.

Influence of chrononutrition patterns on the development of obesity in children and adolescents (6 to 14 years-old)

Influence of chrononutrition patterns on the development of obesity in children and adolescents (6 to 14 years-old)

Prevention Strategies in Obesity Management: A Systematic Review Comparing Canadian and American Guidelines for Adults.

The fast-increasing obesity prevalence rates in children, youths, and adults in the last decade have made obesity prevention a global public health priority. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the various obesity prevention strategies and guidelines implemented in the United States and Canada. Thus, for this study, a systematic review was performed on various online databases including PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and MEDLINE. The decision to study the obesity prevention strategies in Canada and the United States is a result of the high prevalence rates of obesity in the two countries, alongside the numerous prevention interventions that have been executed to prevent obesity. Additionally, the systematic review used robust methodology that followed the Cochrane guidance and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Only studies published between 2014 and 2024, drawn from listed databases, were included in this systematic review. The quality of the included studieswas evaluated using the appraisal tool for cross-sectional studies, with the studies being rated moderate to high quality. Therefore, a total of 15 studies met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. The findings indicate that various obesity prevention interventions have been implemented across the United States and Canada, with diverse degrees of success in obesity prevention and management. Food labeling, regular exercises, portion size regulation, school-based intervention strategies, early childhood Intervention programs, and sugar-sweetened beverage taxation were found to be effective interventions for preventing obesity in children and adults. Based on the findings, there is a need to ensure full execution of the different interventions to ensure significant reduction in obesity prevalence, as well as prevention of obesity in different populations.

Feasibility of a culturally adapted technology-delivered, family-based childhood obesity intervention for Latino/Hispanic families in rural Nebraska: the Hispanic Family Connections study protocol

IntroductionAddressing childhood obesity risk factors like home environment, parental roles, excess weight, physical activity and healthy eating among Latino/Hispanic (L/H) families living in rural communities is an important priority. However,...