Overweight In School Children Research Articles

Overweight School Children in the Urban Community of Niamey According to their Eating Habits, Level of Physical Activity and Social and Economic Characteristics

Overweight School Children in the Urban Community of Niamey According to their Eating Habits, Level of Physical Activity and Social and Economic Characteristics

Associação entre o uso de tela no período noturno e consumo alimentar no jantar e lanche da noite em escolares de 7 a 14 anos com e sem sobrepeso, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brasil

ABSTRACT Objective Analyze the association between screen use at night, food consumption at dinner, and evening snack in schoolchildren with and without overweight. Methods Cross-sectional study with a probabilistic sample of 1396 schoolchildren from 7 to 14 years of age from public and private schools of Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Dietary intake and frequency of screen use of the previous day were obtained through the questionnaire Consumo Alimentar e Atividades Físicas de Escolares (Food Consumption and Physical Activities of Schoolchildren). The association between screen use at night (exposure) and consumption of food groups (outcome) according to weight status was assessed using multivariate logistic regression. Results At dinner, schoolchildren without overweight who used screens once had a lower chance of consuming fruits and vegetables (OR: 0.62, p=0.017) compared to those who did not use screens. In addition, those who used screens twice were more likely to consume sweets (OR: 2.01, p=0.002), and screen use three times or more was inversely associated with beans (OR: 0.24, p=0.003) and meat, eggs, and seafood (OR: 0.35, p=0.011) consumption. Overweight schoolchildren who used screens three times or more were more likely to consume ultra-processed foods and pizza/hamburger/hot dogs (OR: 2.51, p=0.009). For the evening snack, it was observed that schoolchildren without overweight who used screens three times or more had a greater chance of consuming ultra-processed foods and pizza/hamburger/hot dogs (OR: 8.26; p=0.016). Conclusion Overweight and non-overweight schoolchildren who used screens were more likely to consume ultra-processed foods. Schoolchildren without overweight and who use screens more often at night are less likely to consume healthy foods.

Relationship Between Weight Status And Basal Metabolism In Schoolchildren

There is currently a scientific trend to study the association between energy balance and its impact on health from the earliest stages of life. The aim of this study was to examine whether diet quality and physical activity moderate the association between weight status and basal metabolism in a sample of Murcian primary school children aged 8-12 years. Basal metabolism was calculated according to height, sex, and weight, with fixed coefficients following validated formulae. Physical activity was measured with the Krece-Plus test; the KIDMED questionnaire was used to quantify diet quality and nutritional status was assessed by body mass index (BMI; kg/m2) adjusted for sex and age. The results obtained indicate that overweight schoolchildren have a higher basal metabolism than their normal-weight peers considering their diet quality and physical activity level (p<.001, for both). Also, the effects of weight status on basal metabolism may be moderated by diet quality (p<.05) but not by physical activity (p>.05). These results may be of particular interest to educational and health personnel since generating strategies to improve school children’s eating habits, especially towards higher diet quality, could be vital as a method to increase basal metabolic energy expenditure and their overall health.

Overweight in Relation to Dental Caries in Primary and Permanent Teeth among Children Aged 7-9 years in Wassit Governorate- Iraq

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between overweight and dental caries in primary and permanent teeth among Iraqi children aged 7-9 years of both genders in Wassit Governorate . The sample was collected during a period started from 1/ September to 1/November 2010. The weight and height of children were measured using Electronic Body Scale and BMI was calculated to each child in this study. In the present study, it was found that percent of overweight and obesity was 6% and it increased with age. Results showed the mean of DMFT for overweight children was (1.4±1.38) while for normal weight children was (1.29±1.42) and the mean of dmft for overweight children was (4.52 ± 2.51) compared to (4.27 ± 2.56) for normal weight school children. In addition, it was found that prevalence of dental caries in overweight children was 100% and 60% for primary and permanent dentitions, respectively and the prevalence in normal weight was 92.8% and 53.6% for primary and permanent dentitions, respectively. Statistical analysis showed no significant association between overweight and dental caries in primary and permanent teeth. It was concluded that overweight school children had higher mean dental caries scores( DMFT and dmft) and higher prevalence of dental caries in primary and permanent teeth than normal weight school children but there was no significant association between overweight and dental caries prevalence and severity.

The moderating role of physical fitness in the relationship between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and adiposity in schoolchildren

The mediating and moderating associations of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and handgrip strength on the association between dietary patterns and several health outcomes have been previously studied. For instance, handgrip strength has been found as a moderator of the relationship between excess weight and cardiometabolic risk factors in young adults. Similarly, CRF has been shown as a mediator of the association between diet and obesity in children. However, to our knowledge, the role of CRF and handgrip strength on the association between sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption and adiposity is still unclear. The aim of this study was to determine whether CRF and handgrip strength moderate the association between SSB consumption and adiposity in a population-based sample of Spanish schoolchildren. This cross-sectional study involved 475 schoolchildren (52.0% girls), aged 8–12, from ten schools in Cuenca (Spain). Adiposity was determined as body fat (in kg), which was measured using a bioimpedance analysis system. Data on SSB consumption were gathered by using the Children’s Eating Habits Questionnaire, which was completed by parents. The CRF level was determined by the 20-m Shuttle Run test and Nevill’s curvilinear allometric model. Handgrip strength was determined using a digital dynamometer with adjustable grip. For each unit (in ml/kg/min) of CRF increased, the association between SSB consumption and adiposity was moderated (B = − 0.09, CI 95% − 0.14 to − 0.04). This significant moderation was also found for each 0.01 unit of increased normalized handgrip strength (B = − 0.07; CI 95% − 0.11 to − 0.02). Similarly, the Johnson-Neymann technique established three different regions. The first region shows that the association of SSB consumption on adiposity in participants who had levels of CRF < 43.4 ml/kg/min or handgrip strength < 0.34 was greater and statistically significant. The second region (43.4–57.4 ml/kg/min for CRF; 0.34–0.58 for normalized handgrip strength) depicted that the association between SSB consumption and adiposity was not statistically significant in those with a CRF level or normalized handgrip strength between the lower and upper thresholds. The third region was found at > 57.4 ml/kg/min (for CRF level) and > 0.58 (for normalized handgrip strength), indicating that the association between SSB consumption and adiposity was lower and statistically significant in children above these moderator values. Our results showed that certain levels of CRF and normalized handgrip strength moderate the association between SSB consumption and adiposity in a sample of Spanish schoolchildren. It might be possible that higher physical fitness level in childhood may contribute to reducing the association between SSB consumption and adiposity.

Anemia prevalence among ethnic minority schoolchildren in an undeveloped city in southwest China

ObjectivesAnemia is one of the most important nutritional deficiency diseases among schoolchildren worldwide. More attention needs to be focused on anemia prevalence in ethnic minorities in the multiethnic country of China. This study was conducted in Mengzi City, Yunnan Province, which has the largest variety of ethnic minorities in China, to investigate the anemia prevalence among ethnic minority schoolchildren ages 6 to 15 y. MethodsThe plasma hemoglobin concentration of all participants was examined once a year from 2014 to 2020. Anemia was defined as a blood hemoglobin level below 11g/dL, 12g/dL, 13g/dL and 12g/dL for schoolchildren ages 5 to 11y, 12 to 14 y, ages 15 to 19 y males and females, respectively. ResultsThe overall anemia prevalence (7.3%) was higher than the national level (6.1%). The prevalence among ethnic minorities (8.2%) was higher than among Han Chinese (6.8%), and the prevalence was higher among 6-year-olds (12.2%), females (8.0%), those of Hani Nationality (8.7%), and underweight students (8.5%). The overall prevalence trend of ethnic minorities rose continuously from 2014 to 2020. Ethnic minorities had a higher risk of anemia than did Han Chinese. Overweight schoolchildren (odds ratio [OR], 0.816) and those with obesity (OR, 0.710) had a lower risk of anemia than did students with normal-weight status. ConclusionsAlthough the prevalence of anemia among schoolchildren in Mengzi is a mild public health problem, the rate among ethnic minorities is consistently higher than among Han Chinese and keeps rising. Measures to prevent and control anemia need to be prioritized in ethnic minorities, particularly those of Hani Nationality, females, and underweight schoolchildren.

Reduced Consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Is Associated with Lower Body Mass Index Z-Score Gain among Chinese Schoolchildren.

To examine whether reducing sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption is associated with reduced body mass index z-score gain among Chinese schoolchildren in Nanjing, China, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted in four selected primary schools from September 2019 to September 2020. Students in the third grade in the Intervention Group received school-based and home-based interventions for two consecutive semesters to reduce SSB consumption, while two schools in the Control Group did not receive any interventions. Weight changes were expressed as body mass index (BMI) z-scores as standard deviations of the BMI distribution per age and sex group. Changes in SSB consumption before and after the interventions were categorized into Level-Up if it increased, Level-Same if it was maintained and Level-Down if it decreased. Multivariable linear regression models were used to explore the association of different levels of changes in SSB consumption pre- and post-intervention with the BMI z-score. Among 1633 participants who completed the trial, the mean age at baseline was 9.36 years (±0.48 SD).The median baseline BMI z-score was −0.24 (25th percentile −0.72; 75th percentile 0.58). After the intervention, the median BMI z-score increased by 0.06 (−0.17~0.37) in the Intervention Group and by 0.14 (−0.08~0.41) in the Control Group (p < 0.001). A higher increase in BMI was found in the Control Group than in the Intervention Group (1.20 vs. 0.94) during the 12-month period. Among participants whose parents’ educational attainment was above 9 years, the median BMI z-score increased by 0.07 (−0.17~0.37) in the Intervention Group and by 0.16 (−0.06~0.41) in the Control Group (p < 0.001). In a linear regression analysis adjusted for potential confounders, the BMI z-score decreased by 0.057 more in Level-Down than in Level-Up (95% CI: −0.103 to −0.012, p = 0.014). These results indicate that the decreased consumption of SSBs might have reduced the prevalence of overweight in schoolchildren in China, especially in students whose parents had high educational levels.

COVID-19 lockdown and overweight in schoolchildren: 2 sides of the coin

The COVID-19 pandemic has generated changes in various fields of human life. In education, the abrupt change from face-to-face to virtuality has been a challenge, especially in low- and middle-income countries that lack infrastructure, funding, and continuous training for teachers and students on technological tools in education. A special population that is at risk in many aspects is the infant population, which does not have the capacity to face this type of changes in a mature and prepared way. Recently, a study was published where the authors inquired about aspects related to the socioeconomic and behavioral sphere, and their influence on overweight in children1, showing that many of these factors have intensified in the current pandemic, such as the inability to buy healthy foods, the scarcity of the same foods and family dysfunction, which can affect the cardiometabolic health of this population1. Similar results were shown by Parra-García et al2, who recently reviewed the topic of the indirect impact of the pandemic on the paediatric population in this journal, concluding that it is a challenge to identify all these problems in the global context2. However, we consider it necessary to comment on a paradoxical situation that is currently occurring, and which has a substantial impact on the weight and metabolic health of schoolchildren: feeding at home during confinement vs. feeding during classroom instruction. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses have found a substantial and unfavorable impact on mental health in children and adolescents3,4. Up to 80% of this population group3–5, present neuropsychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression, irritability, inattention, distress (due to virtual academic overload), fear, and sleep disturbances3,4. This has set off alarm bells in several scientific societies, in order to adopt measures to reduce the risk of suffering complications in the short and medium term, such as school dropout, self-injury, domestic violence, persistent and aggressive behavioral disorder, suicide, among others3,4. One particular disorder that is complex to understand and manage during this global catastrophe, because it depends on external factors such as economic, social and cultural factors, is disordered eating in children and adolescents6,7. Fernández-Aranda et al8 state that eating disorders can be generated mainly secondary to conditions such as large intake of food, anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, which ultimately result in changes in cardiovascular risk and short-term decompensations such as electrolyte disturbances and fragility8. Generally, in schools where there is access to a wide variety of foods, in the case of schools that do not have a predetermined, structured and specialized food program, the student can buy his or her own food. In this order of ideas, depending on the availability of foods, which are generally hyper-caloric packaged foods and sugary drinks, so is the child/adolescent’s diet. Theoretically, as the shift from face-to-face to virtuality takes place, food at home should counteract this nutritional imbalance. However, the reality is different. Due to the ravages of COVID-19 on the household economy, the social inequity experienced in certain countries and the fear of contagion, acquiring healthy and quality food is not easy9. Therefore, many households tend to consume hypercaloric food at home, or buy inexpensive canned food, which threatens the child’s nutrition. This situation seems to be a risk factor difficult to control, since it does not depend on the attitude of the parents and the child to establish a healthy nutritional plan, but on the economic and local availability of healthy food. It seems, then, that schoolchildren’s nutrition at this time is in check, and it is expected that in the near future, a notable increase in overweight and obesity in schoolchildren will be observed. Therefore, it is necessary to research and design plans that go hand in hand with public policies to mitigate the impact that the child’s metabolic health suffers and will suffer, especially exacerbated by neuropsychiatric disorders prevalent during the pandemic and postpandemic era. Ethical approval None. Sources of funding None. Author contribution All authors equally contributed to the analysis and writing of the manuscript. Conflicts of interest disclosure The authors declare that they have no financial conflict of interest with regard to the content of this report. Research registration unique identifying number (UIN) None. Guarantor Sabrina Rahman, Department of Public Health, Independent University-Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The prevalence and related factors of pre‐diabetes and diabetes among overweight and obese children in Urban schools

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of pre‐diabetes and diabetes among overweight and obese children in urban schools and factors associated with them, in Batticaloa District, Sri Lanka.&#x0D; Methods: A school based cross‐sectional descriptive study was conducted to collect data on socio-demographic information, eating habits and physical activities, using a validated, pre-tested questionnaire. In addition, anthropometric measurements and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) test were performed. Multivariate logistic regression analyze was performed to identify the factors associated with glycemic status by using SPSS v23.&#x0D; Results: Out of the 269 children recruited, 59% were obese. Prevalence of pre‐diabetes (HbA1c 5.7%–6.4%) and diabetes (HbA1c ≥ 6.5%) were 20.1% (95% CI 15.5%–25.4%) and 3.3% (95% CI 1.5%–6.3%) respectively. Multivariate regression shows that having a BMI of ≥ 27.5Kg/m2 (AOR=2.69), male gender (AOR=2.71) and ethnicity (AOR = 2.58) were found to be significant factors for higher HbA1c (≥5.7%).&#x0D; Conclusions: Prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes among overweight and obese school children was high and mainly associated with body weight which is a modifiable risk factor. Lifestyle modifications focusing on weight reduction among overweight and obese school children especially boys, need to be carried out.

There Is an Inverse Correlation between Basic Motor Skills and Overweight in Schoolchildren Aged 8 to 12.

In the last three decades, childhood obesity has become a 21st century epidemic, a product of social development. The purpose of this study was to analyze the repercussions that overweight and obesity have for the basic motor skills of a group of children in primary school, as well as their interrelations. We analyzed a sample of 287 students from Spain, aged between 8 and 12 years. Anthropometric data were taken to determine their Body Mass Index (BMI). A scale of assessment of basic motor skills was used to evaluate their motor skills. The BMI data revealed that 11% of this sample was considered obese, and 26% was overweight. Children showed higher competence in locomotor skills than in object control and turn and rolling skills, for which motor competence levels were lower. Likewise, there was an inverse relationship between BMI and basic motor skills; children with obesity had the lowest levels of motor skills, and there was a significant difference regarding non-obese children (p ≤ 0.05). These results showed that overweight and obese children have lower basic motor skills, which can lead to the abandonment of physical activity and the preference for other activities that reinforce a sedentary lifestyle.

Effects of a randomized controlled study on the behaviors of overweight schoolchildren

This study aimed to determine the effects of a school-based multi-component intervention on accelerometer- measured physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) in schoolchildren overweight. This is a randomized controlled study with overweight schoolchildren, allocated to experimental group (EG; n = 13; 7.6 ± 0.8 years; 42.9% boys) and control group (CG; n = 17; 8.2 ± 0.9 years; 26.7% boys). The EG was submitted to a 10-week school-based intervention, comprised of PA and psychological sessions (behavioral therapy), and nutritional guidance. The CG followed the daily routine of life. The time of PA and SB were measured using accelerometers used for seven days. To compare mean SB, moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and total physical activity (TPA), generalized estimation equations (GEE) were used. It was observed that the average time in MVPA and TPA increased significantly in EG at the weekend (+ 40.9 min / day, p &lt; 0.001; and + 51.6 min/day, p = 0.035, respectively) and at full week (+ 62.9 min/day, p &lt; 0.001; and + 225.0 9 min/day, p = 0.038, respectively). There was no significant difference in time spent in SB after the intervention in both groups. Thus, it was concluded that the proposed school-based multicomponent intervention was effective in increasing levels of MVPA and TPA in overweight schoolchildren. This finding can optimize future interventions to promote a healthy lifestyle for schoolchildren in the school environment.

Time trends of overweight and obesity among schoolchildren in Kuwait over a 13-year period (2007-2019): repeated cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to examine age-specific trends in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in schoolchildren in Kuwait over a 13-year period (2007 to 2019) using the WHO, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the International Obesity Taskforce (IOTF) definitions. Using cross-sectional approach, Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System (KNSS) objectively measured weight and height of schoolchildren over a 13-year period. Log-binomial regression models were used to examine age-specific trends of obesity and overweight over the study period. Public primary, middle and high schools in all provinces of Kuwait. Schoolchildren aged 5-19 years (n 172 603). According to the WHO definition, the prevalence of overweight and obesity in schoolchildren, respectively, increased from 17·73 % and 21·37 % in 2007 to 20·19 % and 28·39 % in 2019 (Pfor trend < 0·001). There is evidence that the obesity in females (but not males) has levelled off in the period 2014-2019 according to the three definitions of obesity, which is corroborated by a similar trend in the mean of BMI-for-age Z-score. The prevalence of obesity and overweight in schoolchildren in Kuwait has risen over the last 13 years and trends are similar across all definitions. Obesity is no longer increasing at the same pace and there is evidence that the prevalence of obesity in females has plateaued. The current level of childhood overweight and obesity is too high and requires community-based and school-based interventions.

Abdominal Obesity in Overweight Schoolchildren from Portoviejo (Ecuador). Conicity Index Cut-Points for Sustainable Health

(1) Background: Abdominal obesity describes the accumulation of visceral fat. Monitoring of abdominal obesity in children aids prognosis of atherogenic risk and prediction of the emergence of different comorbidities, many of which persist into and throughout adulthood. For this reason, it is of great diagnostic value to the sustainability of health in populations. The aim of this study was to evaluate abdominal obesity in overweight schoolchildren from Portoviejo (Ecuador) and propose conicity index cut-points for sustainable health. (2) Methods: The sample was formed by 356 schoolchildren whose BMI z-score deemed them to be overweight. Height, weight, waist circumference (wstC), various skinfolds, percent body fat, conicity index (CI) and overweight classification according to wstC were determined. (3) Results: The mean age was 6.83 ± 1.2 years, 17.4% were obese, 34.8% were overweight and 47.8% were at risk of being overweight according to their BMI z-score. The mean height was 1.29 ± 0.12 m, whilst the mean weight was 35.21 ± 11.57 kg. When classifying according to wstC, 37.9% were identified as obese, 28.1% had high-risk abdominal adiposity and 34% were normal. The average CI was 1.16 ± 0.06, whilst that of body fat was 19.34 ± 6.03, with 56.2% of individuals having body fat values lower than 20%. (4) Conclusions: The sample showed a high prevalence of central obesity. Significant agreement was not found between classifications of nutritional status according to BMI z-score and wstC.

Obesity and Overweight in Relation to Hypertension and Associated Risk in School Children

Aim: Hypertension is a major public health problem worldwide and is associated with high mortality and morbidity. The main aim of this study is to assess obesity and overweight in school children and their relationship to hypertension and associated risk factors.&#x0D; Study Design: Population based cross sectional study.&#x0D; Results and Discussion: A total number of 712 students with age group between 7-12 years from different school were screened for their height, weight and body mass index. The present study was aimed to assess obesity and overweight in school children and their relationship to hypertension and associated risk factors. Under weight and healthy weight children are engaged in physical activities like playing in ground and thus they are healthy where the children who found as overweight and obese were not engaged in physical activities regularly and thus this might be the reason for their overweight and obesity. At the same time the children who found as obese and overweight were said that they were having fast foods twice a day.&#x0D; Conclusion: In order to get rid of these risks and their associated cardiovascular risks, their food habits must be changed and physical activities needs to be improved.

Effect of yogic intervention on cardio respiratory fitness of overweight school children

he word “yoga” comes from a Sanskrit root “yuj” which means union, or yoke, to join, and to direct and concentrate one&#39;s attention. Yoga is an ancient system of Indian philosophy. It has been practiced for health and well-being. Several researches have shown that regular practice of yoga improves health and well-being. The purpose of the present investigation was to look for the effect of yogic intervention on Cardio respiratory fitness of overweight school children. A total of sixty (N =60) subjects were involved for this study. The subjects were randomly selected from the two schools viz. Ghoshpara Saraswati Trust Estate Vidyapith and Ramnagar Milan Bagan Siksha Niketan of the district of Nadia, West Bengal. The age of the subjects for the study was ranged from (12 -15) years. All the subjects were divided into two equal groups, one was the experimental group (n= 30) and another was the control group (n= 30). Yogic training was intervened for 12 weeks on the experimental group from 12-1.30 pm (four days per weeks). But the control group was not involved in the treatment program. VO2max was measured by Rockport Walking Fitness Test. The Analysis of co-variance (ANCOVA) was used to analyze the data. The significance of means was tested at p

Incidência de sobrepeso e obesidade nas turmas do 6° ano do Ensino Fundamental de um colégio da rede pública estadual em Ponta Grossa – Paraná

Considerando o excesso de peso em escolares, objetivamos analisar a incidência de sobrepeso e obesidade nas turmas do 6° ano do Ensino Fundamental de um Colégio da Rede Pública Estadual em Ponta Grossa – Paraná, entre os anos de 2015 a 2019. Para tanto, utilizamos os recursos metodológicos da pesquisa exploratória. Ao todo, foram analisados os índices de massa corporal de 833 alunos. Desse modo, identificamos que 26,94% dos alunos do sexo masculino e 33,75% das alunas do sexo feminino apresentaram excesso de peso, o que permite concluir que tais comorbidades são predominantes nas alunas e é necessário intervenções para a mudança neste quadro dentro da escola ao longo dos anos finais do ensino fundamental para que essa predominância diminua e não haja complicações na idade adulta. Também observamos que os dados da escola de Ponta Grossa são superiores aos nacionais, porém inferiores ou muito parecidos com outros dados da região sul.

Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption is associated with visceral fat in children.

Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption has been associated with visceral fat partitioning in adults; however, the underlying mechanisms in childhood remain unclear and warrant exploration. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between SSB consumption and body fat in children aged 9-13 years and the potential modifying effect of children's sex and serum cortisol levels. A sample of 2665 Greek schoolchildren participated in the 'Healthy Growth Study', and anthropometric, body composition, dietary intake and serum cortisol data were assessed. SSB consumption was defined as low (<1 serving/d), medium (1-2 servings/d) or high (>2 servings/d). We used linear regression models to assess the association between SSB consumption and measures of adiposity and to assess effect modification; models were stratified by sex and tertiles of morning serum cortisol. A significant positive association was observed between high SSB consumption and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) (β = 1·4, 95 % CI 0·4, 2·3, P = 0·01) but not BMI or BMI z-score. When stratified by sex, the association was observed in boys (β = 1·8, 95 % CI 0·3, 3·4, P = 0·02) but not in girls. When stratified by cortisol levels, SSB consumption was associated with VAT in children with cortisol levels in the lowest tertile (β = 2·8, 95 % CI 1·0, 4·6, P < 0·01). These results indicate that increased SSB consumption is associated with visceral adiposity in schoolchildren and this association may be modified by sex and morning serum cortisol. To prevent VAT accumulation and concomitant disease risk, dietary interventions should target SSB consumption during childhood.

Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Prediabetes Condition in Obese/Overweight Children in Selected School of Lalitpur District, Nepal

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; Introduction: Obesity, hypertension and diabetes are the most powerful predictor of cardiovascular diseases in children as well as adults. These factors are interlinked to one another and form a vicious cycle. In Nepal obesity in children is not a priority search for a researcher owing to the overwhelming presence of undernutrition. The main aim of the study was to explore the cardiovascular risk factors among overweight and obese school children of the selected schools&#x0D; Methods: We performed a cross-sectional descriptive study in a semi urban area private school in Lalitpur district, Nepal in 310 students of age group 14-16 years of 10th grade. The distribution of obesity by BMI and WC category was searched for. Capillary fasting glucose level was measured by glucometer and food habit and physical activities were inquired through structured questionnaire. Height and weight were measured by simple measuring tape and bathroom scale weighing machine. Blood pressure was measured by aneroid sphygmomanometer using standard technique. All the data were compared to the standards of south Indian study of children percentile chart.&#x0D; Results: Obesity and overweight were found in 18.7 percent children. Pre-hypertension was found in 8.6 percent. Physical inactivity in terms of &gt; 2 hours of TV watching, mobile and video game playing was found in 31.46 percent of obese children which was statistically significant (P&lt;.001). However, there were no children found to be prediabetic.&#x0D; Conclusions: There is increasing obesity among school going children in semi urban cluster of Kathmandu valley. The physical inactivity in the form of watching TV or playing video games/mobiles is associated with development of obesity. Hypertension is prevalent among obese children.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Alteration of the Gut Microbiome in Normal and Overweight School Children from Selangor with Lactobacillus Fermented Milk Administration.

Childhood obesity is a serious public health problem worldwide. Perturbations in the gut microbiota composition have been associated with the development of obesity in both children and adults. Probiotics, on the other hand, are proven to restore the composition of the gut microbiome which helps reduce the development of obesity. However, data on the effect of probiotics on gut microbiota and its association with childhood obesity is limited. This study aims to determine the effect of probiotics supplement intervention on gut microbiota profiles in obese and normal-weight children. A total of 37 children, 17 normal weight, and 20 overweight school children from a government school in Selangor were selected to participate in this study. Participants were further divided into intervention and control groups. The intervention groups received daily probiotic drinks while the control groups continued eating their typical diet. Fecal samples were collected from the participants for DNA extraction. The hypervariable V3 and V4 regions of 16S rRNA gene were amplified and sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq platform. No significant differences in alpha diversity were observed between normal weight and obese children in terms of the Shannon Index for evenness or species richness. However, a higher intervention effect on alpha diversity was observed among normal-weight participants compared to obese. The participants’ microbiome was found to fluctuate throughout the study. Analysis of the taxa at species level showed an increase in Bacteroides ovatus among the normal weight cohort. Genus-level comparison revealed a rise in genus Lachnospira and Ruminococcus in the overweight participants after intervention, compared to the normal-weight participants. The probiotics intervention causes an alteration in gut microbiota composition in both normal and overweight children. Though the association could not be defined statistically, this study has provided an improved understanding of the intervention effect of probiotics on gut microbiome dysbiosis in an underrepresented population.

Occurrence of overweight in schoolchildren and analysis of agreement between anthropometric methods

Abstract The child population is strongly affected by obesity. Accessible and reliable strategies for the obesity diagnosis are of utmost importance.. The aim of this study was to identify childhood obesity according the WHO (World Health Organization): malnourished, healthy weight, overweight and obese. It was collected measures of height, Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist Circumference (WC) and Triceps Skinfold Thickness (TSF) of 449 children from Municipal School of Araras/SP, from 7 to 10 years old. It was performed a Spearman correlation test between BMI, WC and TSF variables. Also, was realized cross tabulation between the found results by the different methods, constructing a contingency table 2x2, with absolute frequency of boys and girls classified as “without overweight” and “with overweight”. The concordance between methods was analyzed by kappa index. In the results, 28.3% of children presented overweight according to BMI, with higher prevalence in boys. Generally, the found results through TSF showed strong correlation with both BMI and WC (rs=0.7994 e rs=0.7519, respectively). The same was observed when data was analyzed separately by sex. When crossed the TSF data with BMI and WC, the kappa index demonstrated a satisfactory concordance (0.4419 e 0.5161, respectively). The TSF can be suggested a method to body composition assessment and cardiometabolic risk in children.