Preadolescent Obesity Research Articles

Differences in body dissatisfaction between individuals with and without stigma toward obesity: A study of preadolescents and adolescents.

Previous studies have focused on understanding the biopsychosocial implications of obesity stigma and have made proposals to minimize its negative consequences, as well as recommendations to eliminate or reduce this stigma; however, knowing which individuals stigmatize obesity and why will allow us to have a broader picture of stigmatization and thus help in planning interventions with greater impact. The aims were to describe the stigmatization toward obesity in preadolescents and adolescents and to determine whether there are differences in body dissatisfaction, abnormal eating behaviors and self-esteem among those with and without stigma toward obesity. A total of 307 preadolescents and 349 adolescents answered a set of questionnaires that evaluated abnormal eating behaviors, body dissatisfaction, self-esteem and stigma. Fifty-nine percent of the participants stigmatized individuals with obesity, with preadolescents having the greatest stigma levels. Differences were observed only in body dissatisfaction, where the group of preadolescents who stigmatized individuals with obesity and the group of adolescents who did not stigmatize individuals with obesity reported higher levels of body dissatisfaction. Obesity is stigmatized at early ages, regardless of sex; however, preadolescents with stigma toward obesity and adolescents without stigma toward obesity have greater body dissatisfaction, indicating that body dissatisfaction plays a crucial role in the stigmatization of obesity. Level V, cross-sectional analytical study.

Association between Family and School Pressures, Consumption of Ultra-Processed Beverages, and Obesity in Preadolescents: A School-Based Epidemiological Study.

The aim of the present work was two-fold. Firstly, to evaluate the association between the consumption of ultra-processed beverages (UPB) on preadolescents' likelihood of being obese. Secondly, to investigate the potential impact of family and school environmental stressors on this unhealthy lifestyle habit. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1718 Greek preadolescents and their parents, during the school years 2014 to 2016. Parental and child characteristics were collected anonymously, through self-administered and validated questionnaires. Among others, UPB consumption (soft and flavored drinks) was recorded, classifying children as low, moderate, or high consumers, while anthropometric characteristics [height, body weight, Body Mass Index (BMI)] were also recorded. Almost seven out of ten preadolescents were classified as at least moderate UPB consumers, while approximately three out of ten were classified as high UPB consumers. Higher UPB consumption was associated with significantly higher levels of BMI, while preadolescents living in a more stressful family and school environment were found to consume significantly higher amounts of UPB. Stakeholders should implement programs that raise awareness among parents and teachers about the sources of stress in preadolescence as a potential "triggering factor" of unhealthy dietary preferences.

Wealth and obesity in pre-adolescents and their guardians: A first step in explaining non-communicable disease-related behaviour in two areas of Nairobi City County.

The prevalence of non-communicable diseases is increasing in lower-middle-income countries as these countries transition to unhealthy lifestyles. The transition is mostly predominant in urban areas. We assessed the association between wealth and obesity in two sub-counties in Nairobi City County, Kenya, in the context of family and poverty. This cross-sectional study was conducted among of 9-14 years old pre-adolescents and their guardians living in low- (Embakasi) and middle-income (Langata) sub-counties. The sociodemographic characteristics were collected using a validated questionnaire. Weight, height, mid-upper arm circumference, and waist circumference were measured using standard approved protocols. Socioeconomic characteristics of the residential sites were accessed using Wealth Index, created by using Principal Component Analysis. Statistical analyses were done by analysis of variance (continuous variables, comparison of areas) and with logistic and linear regression models.A total of 149 households, response rate of 93%, participated, 72 from Embakasi and 77 from Langata. Most of the participants residing in Embakasi belonged to the lower income and education groups whereas participants residing in Langata belonged to the higher income and education groups. About 30% of the pre-adolescent participants in Langata were overweight, compared to 6% in Embakasi (p<0.001). In contrast, the prevalence of adults (mostly mothers) with overweight and obesity was high (65%) in both study areas. Wealth (β = 0.01; SE 0.0; p = 0.003) and income (β = 0.29; SE 0.11; p = 0.009) predicted higher BMI z-score in pre-adolescents. In, pre-adolescent overweight was already highly prevalent in the middle-income area, while the proportion of women with overweight/obesity was high in the low-income area. These results suggest that a lifestyle promoting obesity is high regardless of socioeconomic status and wealth in Kenya. This provides a strong justification for promoting healthy lifestyles across all socio-economic classes.

Validation of a Useful Tool for Screening for Overweight and Obesity in Pre-Adolescents

The purpose of this observational study with a convenience sample is to validate a simple measurement of the mid-upper arm circumference to establish the screening points using the mid-upper arm circumference tape (MUAC) for childhood overweight and obesity between 9 and 12 years of age, or from 4th grade to 6th grade. Prior to the screening study, a pilot validation study of the MUAC tape measure versus anthropometric standard tape was carried out. The total sample for the screening cut-offs was 360 school students. The results obtained had a predictive value according to the evaluation of the area under the curve of 0.96 and overweight detection cut-off points were established at 23.3 and 22.4 cm for 4th grade, 23.6 and 22.7 cm for 5th grade and 24.6 and 23.8 cm for 6th grade for boys and girls, respectively. The cut-off points for the detection of obesity were established at 25.2 and 23.9 cm for 4th grade, 26.4 and 25.1 cm for 5th grade, and 27.7 and 26.4 cm for 6th grade boys and girls, respectively. The cut-off values of the MUAC are different not only between the sexes, but also increase as age or the specific course increases.

Factors affecting obesity in preadolescents: the case of Cappadocia

Purpose: This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the risk factors which affect obesity in preadolescents. &#x0D; Materials and Methods: The sample of the study consisted of 500 preadolescents (girls: n=271, boys: n=229) attended in 18 secondary schools in the Cappadocia region of Turkey, and their parents. Data were collected using a questionnaire, the body weight, height, and waist circumference of the preadolescents were measured; the body mass index (BMI) and the waist-to-height ratio were calculated. &#x0D; Results: Of preadolescents; 14.4% were obese, 11.4% were overweight, 35.2% had abdominal obesity, and 27% had likehood of being at high metabolic and cardiovascular risk based on their waist/height ratio. According to the results of binary multiple logistic regression analysis (the backward stepwise procedure), the presence of an obese person in the family (boys), mother's educational level (girls), leisure time activities (girls), and an increase in eating according to mood (girls) were revealed as significant predictors of being overweight/obese, adjusted for age. Satisfied with current body weight and mother’s BMI were the strongest variable to be associated with overweight/obese for both genders. &#x0D; Conclusion: For early diagnosis and prevention of obesity in childhood, it is recommended to perform height-weight monitoring of students regularly, monitor risky children more frequently, provide training and consultancy for students and parents regarding balanced diets and physical activity, and provide the school-family cooperation.

Prenatal blood lead levels and reduced preadolescent glomerular filtration rate: Modification by body mass index

BackgroundFor the developing kidney, the prenatal period may represent a critical window of vulnerability to environmental insults resulting in permanent nephron loss. Given that the majority of nephron formation is complete in the 3rd trimester, we set out to test whether 1) prenatal lead exposure is associated with decreased preadolescent kidney function and 2) whether preadolescent obesity acts synergistically with early life lead exposure to reduce kidney function. MethodsOur study included 453 mother–child pairs participating in the PROGRESS birth cohort. We assessed prenatal blood lead levels (BLLs) in samples collected in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters and at delivery, as well as tibial and patellar bone lead measures assessed one-month postpartum. Preadolescent estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was derived from serum levels of creatinine and/or cystatin C measured at age 8–12 years. We applied linear regression to assess the relationship between prenatal bone and BLL with preadolescent eGFR, and adjusted for covariates including age, sex, BMI z-score, indoor tobacco smoke exposure, and socioeconomic status. We also examined sex-specific associations and tested for effect modification by BMI status. ResultsWe observed null associations between prenatal lead exposure and eGFR. However, in interaction analyses we found that among overweight children, there was an inverse association between BLL (assessed at 2nd and 3rd trimester and at delivery) and preadolescent eGFR. For example, among overweight participants, a one ln-unit increase in 2nd trimester BLL was associated with a 10.5 unit decrease in cystatin C-based eGFR (95% CI: −18.1, −2.8; p = 0.008). Regardless of lead exposure, we also observed null relationships between BMI z-score and eGFR overall, as well as among overweight participants. However, among participants with preadolescent obesity, we observed a significant 5.9-unit decrease in eGFR. We observed no evidence of sex-specific effects. ConclusionsOur findings, if confirmed in other studies, suggest a complex interplay between the combined adverse effects of adiposity and perinatal lead exposure as they relate to adolescent kidney function. Future studies will assess kidney function and adiposity trajectories through adolescence to better understand environmental risk factors for kidney function decline.

Association between cesarean delivery types and obesity in preadolescence.

Background/Objectives:The association between mode of delivery and childhood obesity remains inconclusive. Because few studies have separated C-section types (planned or unplanned C-section), our objective was to assess how these subtypes relate to pre-adolescent obesity.Subjects/Methods:The study consisted of 570 maternal-child pairs drawn from the WHEALS birth cohort based in Detroit, Michigan. Children were followed-up at 10 years of age where a variety of anthropometric measurements were collected. Obesity was defined based on BMI percentile (≥95th percentile), as well as through gaussian finite mixture modeling on the anthropometric measurements. Risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for obesity comparing planned and unplanned C-sections to vaginal deliveries were computed, which utilized inverse probability weights to account for loss to follow-up and multiple imputation for covariate missingness. Mediation models were fit to examine the mediation role of breastfeeding.Results:After adjusting for marital status, maternal race, prenatal tobacco smoke exposure, maternal age, maternal BMI, any hypertensive disorders during pregnancy, gestational diabetes, prenatal antibiotic use, child sex, parity, and birthweight z-score, children born via planned C-section had 1.77 times higher risk of obesity (≥95th percentile), relative to those delivered vaginally ((95% CI)=(1.16,2.72); p=0.009). No association was found comparing unplanned C-section to vaginal delivery (RR (95% CI)=0.75 (0.45, 1.23); p=0.25). Results were similar but slightly stronger when obesity was defined by anthropometric class (RR (95% CI)=2.78 (1.47, 5.26); p=0.002). Breastfeeding did not mediate the association between mode of delivery and obesity.Conclusions:These findings indicate that children delivered via planned C-section—but not unplanned C-section—have a higher risk of pre-adolescent obesity, suggesting that partial labor or membrane rupture (typically experienced during unplanned C-section delivery) may offer protection. Additional research is needed to understand the biological mechanisms behind this effect, including whether microbiological differences fully or partially account for the association.

Genetic risk score predicts risk for overweight and obesity in Finnish preadolescents.

SummaryCommon genetic variants predispose to obesity with varying contribution by age. We incorporated known genetic variants into genetic risk scores (GRSs) and investigated their associations with overweight/obesity and central obesity in preadolescents. Furthermore, we compared GRSs with lifestyle factors, and tested if they predict the change in body size and shape in a 4‐year follow‐up. We utilized 1142 subjects from the Finnish Health in Teens (Fin‐HIT) cohort. Overweight and obesity were defined with age‐ and gender‐specific body mass index (BMI) z‐score (BMIz), while central obesity by the waist‐to‐height ratio (WHtR). Background data on parental language, eating habits, leisure‐time physical activity (LTPA) and sleep duration were included. Genotyping was performed with the Metabochip platform. Weighted, standardized GRSs were derived. Of the11‐year‐old children, 25.5% were at least overweight and 90.8% had Finnish speaking background. BMI‐GRS was associated with higher risk for overweight with odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 1.39 (1.20; 1.60) and obesity 1.41 (1.08; 1.83), but not with central obesity. BMI‐GRS was weakly and inversely associated with the changes in BMIz and WHtR in the 4‐year follow‐up. Waist‐to‐hip ratio‐GRS was not related to any obesity measures at baseline nor in the follow‐up. The effect of BMI‐GRS is similar to that of low LTPA on overweight. An interaction between parental language and BMI‐GRS was noted (P = .019): BMI‐GRS associated more strongly with overweight in Swedish than in Finnish speakers. We further identified two suggestive genetic variants near LOC101926977 and LOC105369677 associated with BMIz in preadolescents which were replicated in the adult population. In preadolescents, known genetic predisposing factors induce a risk for overweight comparable to low LTPA. However, the GRS was poor in predicting short‐term changes in BMI or WHtR.

Association of Weight Status with Dietary Intake and Dietary Diversity Score in 10 - 12-Year-Old Children in Tehran: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Obesity in school-aged children has become a major public health concern. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between weight status, dietary behavior and diet diversity in 10 to 12-year-old students in the city of Tehran. Methods: The sample included 487 students (51.8% girls) aged 10 - 12 years. Weight, height as well as age- and sex-specific BMI z-scores were determined. Demographics (sex, age, birth order and parental age) and socioeconomic characteristics (family size, parents’ educational level, occupation, ethnicity and housing status) were assessed by a questionnaire. Dietary intake was assessed through interview using 3-day 24-hours dietary recalls. Results: Based on the BMI z-scores of the children, 1.9%, 47.9%, 27.2% and 22.8% were thin, normal, overweight and obese, respectively. In boys, mother’s educational level; and among girls, being at post-menarche stage and paternal job position were significantly associated with their weight status (P = 0.08, P = 0.05, P = 0.05, respectively). Boys in the lowest tertile for energy intake were at lower risk of obesity (OR = 0.04; 95% CI: 0.02 - 0.97) and those in the middle tertile of grains diversity score had a greater risk of obesity (OR = 5.84; 95% CI: 1.29 - 26.42) in comparison with those in the highest tertile. In girls, those in the lowest tertile of dairy diversity had higher risk of overweight compared to those in the highest tertile (OR = 9.77; 95% CI: 1.60 - 58.57). Conclusions: Findings indicate that energy intake and dietary diversity can affect the risk of overweight and obesity in preadolescents. Further studies are required to explore a more generalizable relationship between dietary intake and weight.

Inglês

Project NATESC/UNIVILLE occurs to the school since 2005, with regular classes in swimming and twoevaluations anthropometric annually. During the practice period, the percentage of fat tends to decrease, but in the recess atschool these values increase. This factor suggests to establish a partnership with parents to encourage healthy goalwas to develop a swim program that prioritize work in a team - teachers, students, and parents – for the reduction and/or control ofbody weight of the adolescents and encourage healthy research was conducted with schoolchildren 10 to 13 years, ofthe schools public of Joinville-SC. sample was composed of 19 boys and 20 girls. data collected were weight, height,folds tricipital and subscapular skinfold. protocols used were the Slaughter (1988) and the classification according toLohman (1987). As the instrument was considered to be the swim program and seminar awareness were conducted with theparents of the school. Shapiro-Wilk test showed normality in all data, therefore, we adopted the Student t test for pairedsamples/independent and the test F. Contrary to what had been going on, this group of the sample showed decrease in thepercentage of fat during the school break. female has decreased to 7.98% and the male 6,93% on the average. This resultmay be related with the lecture: The Effect of Obesity in Pre-adolescents and Adolescents, and the importance of acquiringhealthy habits. It's considered that there was the awareness of parents, encouraging the school positively in the regulation offeeding and in the practice of physical activities, helping to control the trend of increase in rates of obesity. In this study, the schoolof both sexes showed a decrease in the percentage of fat, according to the classification proposed by Lohman (1987).

Identifying common health determinants of oral diseases and obesity in pre-adolescents

Identifying common health determinants of oral diseases and obesity in pre-adolescents

Divorce and eating behaviors: a 5-day within-subject study of preadolescent obesity risk.

Obesity rates have more than doubled among children and have tripled among adolescents since the 1980s, and currently more than one third of children and adolescents are overweight or obese. Parental divorce is a time of family upheaval, yet little is known about the family processes that link family structure and obesity. The current study gathered a 5-day eating behavior questionnaire from 37 preadolescents (mean=10.26 years; standard deviation=1.32; 32.4% female) and one parent to explore whether marital status was linked to obesity risk behaviors (i.e., high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), low consumption of produce, skipping breakfast, and eating dinners away from the home) and whether family context (e.g., parent time spent with child, parental acceptance, and family routines) mediated that link. Results showed that preadolescents in divorced families consumed more SSBs than preadolescents in married families, and there was a trend for less-frequent breakfast consumption among preadolescents in the divorced families. Of the three family context variables, only family routines explained the link between family structure and obesity risk. This study highlights the importance of family processes during divorce to understand the etiology and prevalence of child and adolescent obesity.

Parental stress increases body mass index trajectory in pre‐adolescents

Rates of childhood obesity have increased since the mid-1970s. Research into behavioural determinants has focused on physical inactivity and unhealthy diets. Cross-sectional studies indicate an association between psychological stress experienced by parents and obesity in pre-adolescents. We provide evidence of a prospective association between parental psychological stress and increased weight gain in pre-adolescents. Family-level support for those experiencing chronic stress might help promote healthy diet and exercise behaviours in children. We examined the impact of parental psychological stress on body mass index (BMI) in pre-adolescent children over 4 years of follow-up. We included 4078 children aged 5-10 years (90% were between 5.5 and 7.5 years) at study entry (2002-2003) in the Children's Health Study, a prospective cohort study in southern California. A multi-level linear model simultaneously examined the effect of parental stress at study entry on the attained BMI at age 10 and the slope of change across annual measures of BMI during follow-up, controlled for the child's age and sex. BMI was calculated based on objective measurements of height and weight by trained technicians following a standardized procedure. A two standard deviation increase in parental stress at study entry was associated with an increase in predicted BMI attained by age 10 of 0.287 kg m(-2) (95% confidence interval 0.016-0.558; a 2% increase at this age for a participant of average attained BMI). The same increase in parental stress was also associated with an increased trajectory of weight gain over follow-up, with the slope of change in BMI increased by 0.054 kg m(-2) (95% confidence interval 0.007-0.100; a 7% increase in the slope of change for a participant of average BMI trajectory). We prospectively demonstrated a small effect of parental stress on BMI at age 10 and weight gain earlier in life than reported previously. Interventions to address the burden of childhood obesity should address the role of parental stress in children.

A Qualitative Exploration Into Parental Recognition of Overweight and Obesity in Pre-Adolescents: A Process of Discovery

IntroductionThe purpose of this study is to describe influential factors as parents become aware that their pre-adolescent is overweight/obese. MethodsA grounded theory approach was used, and 17 parents of obese pre-adolescents were interviewed. ResultsWithin the concept of discovery (“How did you come to realize your pre-adolescent was overweight or obese?”), five central themes emerged. The theme of predisposition emerged as most parents believed there was some type of predisposition for their pre-adolescent to be overweight/obese. Parents avoided using the words overweight, obese, or fat to describe their pre-adolescent’s body habitus, thus leading to the theme “husky build.” “Compared to others” was identified as a theme since most parents described how they compared their overweight pre-adolescent with other pre-adolescents. The health care provider emerged as a theme because the role of the health care provider played a pivotal role in the discovery process for parents. Finally, parental buy-in involved acceptance that their pre-adolescent was overweight and recognition that this status signaled a problem and a potential health threat for their pre-adolescent. DiscussionParents do not rely solely on visual cues. Several factors are involved in the awareness process of parents whose pre-adolescents are clinically obese. The input from the health care provider played a significant role.

The Association of Physical Fitness With Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference in Filipino Preadolescents

The objective of this study is are to examine the association of preadolescent obesity using body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) with health-related physical fitness components. Grades 4 to 6 students in 2 private schools in Manila were included in this study. Height, weight, WC, and BMI were obtained. Physical fitness field tests were sit-and-reach test, 1-minute sit-ups, standing broad jump, 40-m sprint, and 20-m shuttle run. Obese subjects had poorer scores in the field tests except in the sit-and-reach test. BMI and WC were significantly negatively associated with all the physical fitness parameters, except for the 40-m sprint where positive correlation was observed, and in the sit-and-reach test where no correlation was seen. In the management of preadolescent overweight and obesity, exercise programs should therefore be designed toward enhancing these fitness parameters, while not sacrificing enjoyment and creativity.

A Longitudinal Study of Overweight, Elevated Blood Pressure, and Acanthosis Nigricans Among Low-Income Middle School Students

This longitudinal study examined the rates of overweight, elevated blood pressure, acanthosis nigricans, and their associated factors in third through fifth grade students over 4 years. Participants consisted of 279 students who participated in health screenings in 2002 and 2006. Hispanic students had significantly higher rates of overweight and acanthosis nigricans compared to White students. There was a sharp increase in elevated blood pressure from 2002 to 2006 among obese children. While 20% of the matched obese students were above the 90th percentile in 2002, 82% of the same students were above the 90th percentile in 2006. After controlling for sex, ethnicity, and grade, preadolescent obesity in 2002 continued to be a significant factor associated with elevated blood pressure and acanthosis nigricans in 2006. These findings demonstrate that prevention and treatment of obesity during preadolescence is critical for the prevention of elevated high blood pressure in early adolescence.

The Association of Physical Activity and Physical Fitness With Pre-Adolescent Obesity: An Observational Study in Metromanila, Philippines

Childhood obesity has been inconsistently associated with decreased levels of physical activity and fitness. Moreover, little is known about this relationship among Filipino preteens. This cross sectional study reports the association between childhood obesity, measures of physical activity, and fitness. Children aged 11 to 12 from randomly selected schools from San Juan, Metromanila were included. Outcome measures were body mass index, Filipino modified Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older children (F_PAQ-C), standing broad jump, 50 m sprint and 20 m multistage shuttle run. 380 children participated in the study. Obese children had significantly lower median scores in the F_PAQ-C compared with overweight children. Overweight children had lower scores in the standing broad jump, 50 m sprints and predicted VO2max as compared with children with normal BMI. There were modest associations between the 50 m sprint, predicted VO2max, and F_PAQ-C. Our study has showed that physical activity and fitness scores were strongly correlated with childhood obesity. If childhood physical fitness is a predictor of physical fitness in adulthood which is a risk factor in cardiovascular diseases, there is a strong possibility that the prevalence of cardiovascular disease in the Philippines will increase dramatically in the future.

Sleep Difficulties and Preadolescent Obesity

Sleep Difficulties and Preadolescent Obesity

Is Food Intake Associated with Pre-Adolescent Obesity? An Observational Study in Metromanila, Philippines

Is Food Intake Associated with Pre-Adolescent Obesity? An Observational Study in Metromanila, Philippines

Obesity in Preschool and School-age Children

To determine if timing and frequency of interventions affect the outcome of treatment of obesity in pediatric patients. Retrospective chart review; comparison of subgroups defined by age and frequency of visits. A nutrition evaluation clinic, an outpatient referred care clinic at a metropolitan hospital. All 93 obese children, aged 1 to 10 years, seen within 1 year and with one or more subsequent visits in the next year. Obesity was defined as greater than 120% ideal body weight for height age (IBWH). Mean percent IBWH was 171% (median, 199%; range, 127% to 251%). (1) Initial visit. Comprehensive history and physical examination, by physician, registered dietician, and licensed clinical social worker; design of individualized care plan, including prescribed frequency and size of meals and snacks; and type, frequency, and duration of exercise. (2) Subsequent visits (after 1 month, then with frequency tailored to need). Review of progress, adjustment of energy intake and expenditure; management of biopsychosocial obstacles to needed changes. Four patient groups were defined by two variables: age (preschool vs school-age children) and frequency of visits in 1 year (two to three vs four or more). Groups were compared on change in mean percent IBWH and on mean change in percent IBWH. All groups showed significant change in percent IBWH (P < or = .040 for school-age children, P < or = .012 for preschool children). For all visits, the mean change was more than twice as great for preschool as for school-age children (4.7 +/- 5.4 vs 1.9 +/- 4.8, P = .027). (1) The most successful treatment of pre-adolescent obesity may be in preschool children with frequent visits. (2) A randomized trial is warranted to test this possibility. (3) Many of the techniques used to treat early obesity can be adapted for prevention and intervention in early obesity during the preschool years, and this is the preferred approach.