Rates Of Overweight In Children Research Articles

Microsimulation model of child and adolescent overweight: making use of what we already know.

New Zealand has high rates of child overweight and obesity when compared with other countries. Despite an abundance of research documenting the problem, it is unclear what the most effective policy changes or interventions are, and how policy changes might unfold over time within complex systems. We use estimates derived from meta-analyses to create a dynamic microsimulation model of child overweight (including obesity). Using census records we created a synthetic birth cohort of 10,000 children. Information on parental education, ethnicity and father's socio-economic position at birth were taken from census records. We used the New Zealand Health Survey to estimate population base rates for the prevalence of overweight and obesity. Information on other modifiers (such as maternal smoking, breastfeeding, preterm birth, regular breakfast consumption and so forth) were taken from three birth cohorts: Christchurch Health and Development Study, The Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study and the Pacific Islands Families Study. Published intervention studies were used to derive plausible estimates for changes to modifiers. Reducing the proportion of mothers classified as overweight and obesity (-3.31(95% CI -3.55; -3.07) percentage points), reducing the proportion of children watching two or more hours of TV (-3.78(95% CI -4.01; -3.54)), increasing the proportion of children eating breakfast regularly (-1.71(95% CI -1.96; -1.46)), and reducing the proportion of children born with high birth weights (-1.36(95% CI -1.61; -1.11)), lead to sizable decreases in the estimated prevalence of child overweight (including obesity). Reducing the proportion of mothers giving birth by caesarean (-0.23(95% CI -0.49; -0.23)) and increasing parental education (-0.07(95% CI -0.31; 0.18)) did not impact upon child overweight rates. We created a working simulation model of New Zealand children that can be accessed by policy makers and researchers to determine known relationships between predictors and child overweight, as well as potential gains from targeting specific pathways.

Geographical Differences in the Population-Based Cross-Sectional Growth Curve and Age at Peak Height Velocity with respect to the Prevalence Rate of Overweight in Japanese Children.

The School Health Examination Survey is a nationwide examination carried out annually in Japan, and the results are entered into a prefectural-level physical measurement database. We used this database to determine the geographical differences in a population-based cross-sectional growth curve and investigated the association between age at peak height velocity (PHV) and the prevalence rate of overweight in children among Japanese prefectures. Mean prefectural-level age at PHV was estimated by the cubic spline-fitting procedure using cross-sectional whole-year prefectural mean height data (5–17 years, 2006–2013), and 8-year (2006–2013) means of the standardized prevalence rates of overweight children and other anatomical data (8-year standardized weight and height) were recalculated. Mean prefectural age at PHV was more strongly correlated with the mean prefectural prevalence rate of overweight (age 5–8 years) than with other weights or heights in both sexes. On the basis of these findings and their confirmation by multiple regression analysis, the prevalence rate of overweight was selected as a primary factor to explain the geographical difference in age at PHV. These findings suggest that childhood overweight is a dominant factor responsible for the observed geographical differences in onset of puberty in Japan.

1420 Examination of the Relation of Diet and Physical Activity with the Appearance of Obesity at Greek Students

BackgroundChildhood obesity increases the likelihood of several consequences for a child (precocious puberty, polycystic ovary syndrome, diabetes mellitus type 2, etc) and also later in adulthood (increased mortality due to...

Prevalence and risk factors for childhood obesity in Changsha and Shenzhen in China.

To determine the prevalence and the risk factors for childhood obesity in Changsha and Shenzhen, China. A case-control study was conducted in 209 obese children (the cases) identified in the investigation on childhood obesity in 6 288 children aged 6 to 9 years in Changsha and Shenzhen in China and 209 children with normal weight (the controls). The cases and controls were matched by gender, age, and school. Adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the risk factors were measured. The prevalence rate of overweight and obese children was 9.28% and 3.30% in Changsha, and 12.17% and 4.22% in Shenzhen, respectively. The rate of overweight children is significantly higher in Shenzhen than in Changsha. No statistical difference was observed in the rate of obesity between the children in both cities. Paternal obesity (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.01 to 3.16), maternal weight gain during pregnancy>or=15.0 kg (OR 5.22, 95% CI 2.78 to 9.80), birth weight>or=4.00 kg (OR 2.55, 95% CI 1.24 to 5.26), unhealthy snacks>or=1 per week (OR 3.94, 95% CI 1.11 to 13.99), and watching television>or=2 hours per day(OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.01 to 5.47) were associated with childhood obesity when potential confounding factors were adjusted by multi-variable logistic regression analysis. Paternal obesity, gestational weight gain, high birth weight, and unhealthy life-style are important risk factors for obesity in urban children in south China.

Trends in Child Overweight Rates and Energy Intake in France From 1999 to 2007: Relationships With Socioeconomic Status

Our objectives were (i) to assess the current prevalence of childhood overweight (including obesity) (OWOB) in France and its relationship with comprehensive socioeconomic status (SES) indicators and (ii) to examine trends in OWOB prevalence and changes in energy intake (EI) and sedentary behavior (SED) based on the previous INCA 1 (Individuelle Nationale des Consommations Alimentaires) data (1998-1999). A representative sample of children aged 3-14 (n = 1,030) was taken from the 2006-2007 cross-sectional INCA 2 food consumption survey. Weight and height were measured. The prevalence of OWOB was estimated according to the IOTF (International Obesity Task Force) definition. Average daily EI was evaluated using a 7-day food record. SED (screen time) and SES were reported by answering questionnaires. SES indicators included the occupation and level of education of the head of the household (HH), and variables describing household wealth. Composite indices of SES were computed by correspondence analysis, and relationships with OWOB were explored by logistic regression analysis. In total, 14.5% (95% CI: 12.1-17.0) of the children were OWOB. All SES indicators were inversely correlated to OWOB. Average EI was equal to 1,739 kcal/day. Daily, children spent 113.5 min watching television, and 38.5 min playing video games or using a computer. Compared to the INCA 1 study, OWOB prevalence was not significantly different, EI was lower, and SED was higher. These trends were the same across all occupational categories of heads of household. Although overall rates of childhood OWOB are currently stabilizing, no change was observed in the strong inverse socioeconomic gradient of OWOB between the two studies.

Generation O: Addressing Childhood Overweight before It's Too Late

Rates of overweight in children have more than tripled in the United States since 1980, putting the nation's children at risk for unprecedented levels of major diseases like diabetes and heart disease earlier in life. The American childhood overweight epidemic is a startling phenomenon. Because of the serious health consequences, there is an urgent need to make practical decisions to address the problem, based on common sense, the best prevailing research, and the advice of experts. This starts with addressing the contributing factors behind the real culprits—poor nutrition and inadequate physical activity. Over the past decade, experts have emphasized the need to develop overweight prevention and control strategies focused on instilling in children the importance of healthy behaviors that can help reduce their risk for obesity and related health issues throughout their lives. This article reviews policy recommendations and intervention strategies for addressing childhood overweight.

Vending Machine Policies and Practices in Delaware

Overweight has reached alarming proportions among America's youth. Although the cause of the rise in overweight rates in children and adolescents is certainly the result of the interaction of a variety of factors, the presence of vending machines in schools is one issue that has recently come to the forefront. Many states have passed or proposed legislation that limits student access to vending machines in schools or require that vending machines in schools offer healthier choices. The purposes of this study were (a) to assess the food and beverage vending machine offerings in the public school districts in the state of Delaware and (b) to determine whether there are any district vending policies in place other than the current U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations. The results of this study indicate the most commonly sold food and drink items in school vending machines are of minimal nutritional value. School administrators are most frequently in charge of the vending contract, as well as setting and enforcing vending machine policies. Suggestions are offered to assist school nurses, often the only health professional in the school, in becoming advocates for changes in school vending practices and policies that promote the health and well-being of children and adolescents.

Using Participatory Action Research to Develop a School-based Environmental Intervention to Support Healthy Eating and Physical Activity

Rates of overweight children and adolescents have nearly tripled over the past 30 years. Many barriers exist to healthy eating and physical activity for children and adolescents, including factors in the school and community environment. It is these modifiable school environmental factors that led to the development of the Nutrition Friendly Schools and Communities (NFSC) model to prevent the development of overweight in children and adolescents. Development of the NFSC model built upon the Coordinated School Health Program, the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, Participatory Research, and Empowerment Evaluation. The purpose of the NFSC environmental intervention is to actively engage the school community to prevent overweight in students through a multi-level participative intervention that facilitates coordinated changes in the school environment in the following areas: health education, physical education, health services, food services, school policy, staff wellness, psychosocial services, and family/community involvement. The NFSC model is the basis by which school communities develop a plan and evaluation that lead to a healthy school environment and prevent the development of overweight in children. A pilot study of the NFSC model is currently being conducted in eight low—income, minority, urban schools. This paper describes the development of the NFSC model and criteria.

Are Soft Drinks Getting a Bum Rap? We Don't Think So

The viewpoint presented in this article is that soft drink consumption is a contributing factor in the rising incidence of overweight among school-aged children. Misinformation must be dispelled so that resources can be directed to real, evidence-based concerns. Child nutrition advocates have called for reducing access to soft drinks in schools as an important step in optimizing healthful environments for children. School nutrition policies are being revised at national, state, and local levels. Along with other stakeholders, soft drink manufacturers must acknowledge the problem of rising rates of overweight in children and work within their spheres of influence to limit access to soft drinks in schools.