Risk Factors For Childhood Obesity Research Articles

A cross-sectional study of infant feeding practices in Vietnamese-born mothers living in Australia

BackgroundInfant feeding practices are a key modifiable risk factor for childhood overweight and obesity; and important for lifelong health and wellbeing. Despite the growing Australian immigrant population, it is unclear how infant feeding practices may differ between ethnicities living in Australia. Few studies have examined the infant feeding practices of Vietnamese mothers who migrate and give birth to infants in Australia – termed Vietnamese-born mothers. The aim of this study was to examine differences in infant feeding practices (breastfeeding, formula feeding and complementary feeding (other fluids and solids)) in Vietnamese-born mothers compared with Australian-born mothers living in Australia.MethodThis study analysed the Australian National Infant Feeding Survey dataset (2010–11), a large national cross-sectional survey measuring feeding practices of infants aged 0–24 months old. Infant feeding practices of Vietnamese-born mothers (n = 261) and a random sub-sample of Australian-born mothers (n = 261) were compared. Associations between ethnicity and infant feeding practices were examined through logistic and linear regression adjusting for maternal age, socioeconomic status, body mass index (BMI) at start of pregnancy, infant age at survey completion and parity. Compliance with the Australian national infant feeding guidelines was also assessed.ResultsCompliance with infant feeding guidelines was low, with differences in infant feeding practices between groups. At the time of survey completion, when infants were on average 7.2 months old, compared with infants of Australian-born mothers, infants to Vietnamese-born mothers were significantly younger when first exposed to fruit juice (b = -2.41, 95%CI: -4.54– -0.28); less likely to be exposed to solids (AOR: 0.15, 95%CI: 0.05–0.44) and more likely to be exposed to formula milks (AOR: 2.21, 95%CI: 1.10–4.43); toddler milks (AOR: 16.72, 95%CI: 3.11–90.09) and fruit juice (AOR: 2.37, 95%CI: 1.06–5.32) (p < 0.05).ConclusionLow adherence with breastfeeding (low breastfeeding and high infant formula use) and other fluids (toddler milks and fruit juice) recommendations outlined by the Australian infant feeding guidelines were observed in this group of Vietnamese-born mothers. To optimise feeding and growth in Vietnamese-Australian children, culturally appropriate infant feeding support targeting breastfeeding durations, reducing reliance on infant formula, and reducing inappropriate introduction to other fluids should be the focus of infant feeding promotion within these mothers.

Double burden of malnutrition as a risk factor for overweight and obesity.

To assess the longitudinal effect of double burden of malnutrition (DBM) on the risk of developing child and adolescent overweight or obesity. Analysis of the Peruvian Young Lives Study, younger cohort: baseline (2002) and 4 follow-ups (2006-2007, 2009-2010, 2013-2014, and 2016-2017). Outcomes were the incidence of overweight and obesity as defined by the World Health Organization standards. The exposure comprised a variable with 4 categories: non-stunted child with a non-overweight mother (reference group), non-stunted child with an overweight mother, stunted child with a non-overweight mother, and stunted child with an overweight mother (i.e., DBM). Poisson regression models were built to assess the association of interest, and relative risks (RR) and 95%CI were reported. Data from 2,034 children; 50.0% were girls and the mean age was 12.0 (3.6) months at baseline. Non-stunted children with an overweight mother had greater risk (RR = 1.64; 95%CI: 1.35-1.99) of developing overweight, compared with the risk for stunted children with a non-overweight mother (RR = 1.38; 95%CI: 1.10-1.72), and for those with DBM (RR = 1.28; 95%CI: 1.02-1.61). When compared with the reference group, obesity risk was greater among non-stunted children with an overweight mother (RR = 2.33; 95%CI: 1.68-3.22), greater among stunted children with a non-overweight mother (RR = 2.59; 95%CI: 1.75-3.84), and greater among those with DBM (RR = 2.14; 95%CI: 1.39-3.28). DBM is a risk factor for childhood overweight and obesity in Peru. Dual-duty policies tackling both undernutrition in children and overweight in mothers are needed to reduce DBM and its future effects in Peru.

Abstract 10045: Higher Renal Vascular Resistance is Associated With Greater Body Mass Index in Children

Background: Obesity is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular and renal diseases, however, there has been little focus on renal vascular function. The purpose of this study is to assess renal vascular flow regulation and investigate their relation to cardiovascular risk factors in obese children. Methods: Noninvasive ultrasonographic measurements were made in 108 overweight/obese children aged 7 to 13 years (body mass index 18 to 33kg/m 2 ). Using color Doppler sonography, peak systolic (PSV), end-diastolic (EDV), and average peak flow (APV) velocities of renal artery were measured. Pulsatility index as a parameter of vascular resistance was calculated. Pulsatility index was defined as (PSV-EDV)/APV. Quantitative B-mode ultrasound scans were used to measure intima-media thickness and diameters of the common carotid artery. Plasma lipid concentrations, uric acid, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein were assessed in the obese children. Results: Compared with overweight children with body mass index &lt;25 kg/m 2 , pulsatility index in obese children with body mass index≥25 kg/m 2 was significantly higher (1.24 ±0.13 vs. 1.13 ±0.14 cm/sec, p &lt; 0.01), because APV and EDV were significantly lower (35 ±3 vs. 38 ±7 cm/sec and 21± 3 vs. 25 ±5 cm/sec, p &lt;0.05, respectively), although PSV was not significantly different. Pulsatility index correlated significantly with body mass index (r =0.58, p &lt; 0.01), insulin (r = 0.24, p &lt; 0.05), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (r =0.25, p &lt; 0.01), triglycerides (r = 0.26, p &lt; 0.01), uric acid (r = 0.22, p &lt; 0.05), systolic blood pressure (r = 0.31, p &lt; 0.01), and carotid intima-media thickness (r = 0.36, p&lt;0.01). Renal blood flow velocities did not correlate with high sensitivity C-reactive protein. Conclusions: The present study indicates that obesity can adversely affect renal vascular flow and resistance in children. Obesity-related insulin resistance may be a main risk factor for renal vascular flow changes. Obesity not only is a risk factor for later cardiovascular disease, but also is associated with significant impairment of renal arterial flow dynamics.

Neighborhood Food Environment and Children's BMI: A New Framework with Structural Equation Modeling.

The relationship between neighborhood food environment and childhood obesity is complex and not yet well defined by current research in China, especially when considering the integrated effects with other relative factors. The main purpose of this article is to introduce a framework of children's weight status, based on their neighborhood food environment, and to identify the impact of food environment on the children's BMI and potential pathways. The participants of this cross-sectional study were students aged 8-16.5 years old and their parents. Two conceptual frameworks were tested using the structural equation modeling method, and two models were extracted. Model B added the neighborhood food environment based on model A. By comparing the two models, the neighborhood environment was potentially correlated with the children's BMI directly and may have a positive impact on unhealthy-food eating behaviors, which were positively associated with the children's BMI. The results suggest that the focus should be placed on the integrated effects of the potential risk factors of childhood obesity, based on considering the neighborhood food environment, which may relate to children's unhealthy-food eating behaviors and weight status.

Why do preconception and pregnancy lifestyle interventions demonstrate limited success in preventing overweight and obesity in children? A scoping review protocol.

Adverse family-based lifestyle factors in the preconception period, pregnancy and early-childhood are major risk factors for childhood obesity and there is a growing consensus that early life interventions to prevent overweight and obesity in children are required. However, results from recent systematic reviews of preconception and pregnancy interventions have demonstrated mixed success. Therefore, this protocol presents a study aiming to summarise and evaluate complex preconception and pregnancy intervention components, process evaluation components, and authors' statements, with a view to improving our understanding regarding their success and informing design or adaptation of more effective interventions to prevent childhood obesity. A scoping review will be conducted, using the frameworks of the JBI and Arksey and O'Malley. A two-step approach will be used to identify relevant literature: (1) systematic searches will be conducted in the databases PubMed, Embase and CENTRAL to identify all eligible preconception and pregnancy trials with offspring data; and (2) CLUSTER searches will be conducted to find linked publications to eligible trials (follow-ups, process evaluation publications). Two researchers will independently select studies, chart, and synthesise data. A qualitative thematic analysis will be performed in which statements related to process evaluation components and authors' interpretations will be coded as "reasons". A descriptive analysis will be performed to evaluate intervention complexity using a complex intervention framework (AHRQ series; Medical Research Council guidance). The results of this study, which will be discussed with an expert group as part of a consultation stage, aim to identify gaps and inform the design or adaptation of future preconception and pregnancy interventions and approaches to potentially increase success rates. We expect that our results, which will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal, will be of interest to researchers, families, and practitioners concerned with good preconception and prenatal care, and healthy child outcomes.

ODP377 Adolescents With Obesity Breastfed Until Four Months Age Have High Abundance Of Ruminococcaceae Bacteria In Gut Microbiota

Abstract Childhood obesity is a worldwide serious health issue leading to endocrine disruption. Childhood obesity risk factors are numerous, and in recent decades the significant impact of gut microbiota in the development of obesity has been shown (1). In turn, gut microbiota development can be disrupted by many factors in the early postnatal period, particularly by breastfeeding duration. Although studies were pointing out the impact of short breastfeeding period on the obesity-associated microbiota formation in childhood (2), the long-termed effect still remains poorly explored. Therefore, we assumed a contribution of breastfeeding duration to the gut microbiota composition in adolescents with obesity. The total cohort was 40 adolescents who were divided into four categories: 9 obese and 11 healthy adolescents who had been breastfed less than four months (SDS BMI=2.83±0.40 and SDS BMI=-0.17±0.55 correspondingly); 9 obese and 11 healthy adolescents who had been breastfed more than four months (SDS BMI=2.70±0.69 and SDS BMI=0.19±0.38). The mean breastfeeding duration was significantly different between the four groups (p=0. 0001). The metagenome sequencing of V3-V4 variable regions of 16S rRNA was done by Novogene Company (China) on the Illumina platform. Bacteria number of gut microbiota was presented as normalized values. Data was shown as median, lower and upper quartile, and compared by the pairwise Mann-Whitney U Test. Statistical significance was accepted at p&amp;lt;0. 05. The Shannon and Simpson diversity indices as well as the ACE and Chao species richness indices of the adolescents’ gut microbiota were not differed for each group. We did not find any significant variations for the main phyla Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria. At the family level, the U Test indicated a significant increase in the abundance of the phylotype Ruminococcaceae UCG-014 in adolescents with obesity who were breastfed for four months or less as compared to the group with obesity and breastfeeding more than four months (365 (137; 499) and 99 (72; 149) correspondingly,р=0. 01, Z adjusted=-2.43). Moreover, adolescents with normal weight regardless of breastfeeding duration had similar amount of RuminococcaceaeUCG-014 as adolescents who were breastfed until four months and having obesity (145 (110; 381) for the group with normal weight and breastfeeding&amp;lt;4 months and 154 (96; 245) for the group with normal weight and breastfeeding &amp;gt; 4 months). The family Ruminococcaceae belongs to the phylum Firmicutes, which was proved before as a phylum increasing in gut microbiota of individuals with obesity (1). Our results confirmed that and furthermore, revealed the impact of short overall breastfeeding duration on the gut microbiota composition through an increased abundance of bacteria belonging to the family Ruminococcaceaein adolescents with obesity. Reference: (1) Turnbaugh et al. Nature. 2006 Dec 21;444(7122): 1027-31. (2) Forbes et al. JAMA Pediatr. 2018 Jul 2;172(7): e181161. Presentation: No date and time listed

The care of infants with rapid weight gain: Should we be doing more?

Rapid weight gain (RWG) during infancy is a known risk factor for later childhood obesity. It can be measured using a range of definitions across various time periods in the first 2 years of life. In recent years, some early childhood obesity prevention trials have included a focus on preventing RWG during infancy, with modest success. Overall, RWG during infancy remains common, yet little work has examined whether infants with this growth pattern should receive additional care when it is identified in health-care settings. In this viewpoint, we contend that RWG during infancy should be routinely screened for in health-care settings, and when identified, viewed as an opportunity for health-care professionals to instigate non-stigmatising discussions with families about RWG and general healthy practices for their infants. If families wish to engage, we suggest that six topics from early life obesity prevention studies (breastfeeding, formula feeding, complementary feeding, sleep, responsive parenting, and education around growth charts and monitoring) could form the foundations of conversations to help them establish and maintain healthy habits to support their infant's health and well-being and potentially lower the risk of later obesity. However, further work is needed to develop definitive guidelines in this area, and to address other gaps in the literature, such as the current lack of a standardised definition for RWG during infancy and a clear understanding of the time points over which it should be measured.

Associations between Emotion Regulation, Feeding Practices, and Preschoolers' Food Consumption.

Previous research identified emotion dysregulation, non-responsive feeding practices, and unhealthy food consumption as risk factors for childhood obesity. However, little is known about the relationships between these factors. This study examined associations between children’s emotion regulation, parental feeding practices, and children’s food consumption. The sample consisted of 163 mothers of children aged 3–5 years. Mothers completed the Emotion Regulation Checklist, the Child Feeding Questionnaire, and the Child Health Section from the Parent Interview of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-B to assess model variables. Results showed that healthy food consumption was associated with higher emotion regulation abilities, higher monitoring, and lower pressure to eat. For unhealthy food consumption, the associations were in opposite directions. Higher emotion regulation abilities were also associated with higher monitoring, lower pressure to eat, and lower restriction. For lability, the associations were in opposite directions. Regression analyses revealed that children’s lability, pressure to eat, and monitoring were significant predictors of children’s food consumption. These findings suggest that children’s emotion regulation and feeding practices are important determinants of children’s food consumption. Future longitudinal studies that examine bidirectional associations between children’s emotion regulation, parental feeding practices, children’s food consumption, and potential mechanisms accounting for these associations are needed.

Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Childhood Obesity in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

Introduction Overweight and obesity are defined as excessive fat accumulation that poses a risk to well-being. In children, a BMI of the 85th percentile to less than the 95th percentile is considered overweight, and the 95th percentile or greater is considered obese. Aim This study aimed to measure the prevalence of childhood obesity in a population of six to 16 years of age and its associated risk factors. Participants and methods This is a cross-sectional study conducted among children aged between six and 16 years old who live in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. The data collector in each school distributed envelopes containing an informed consent form and a survey to collect data on the demographics and socioeconomic statusto all students. All students whose parents signed the informed consent would undergo measurement of growth parameters which ultimately determined the BMI. Results Six hundred eighty-eight children agreed to participate. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 15.3% (overweight 10.2%, obese 5.1%). Children who eat four or more meals per day were 29.5% while only 10% were regularly exercising for more than two hours a day. Independent risk factors of obesity and overweight were eating four or more meals per day. Spending more than an hour a day on physical activity was a protective factor against being overweight and obese. Conclusion Increased daily food consumption was the most frequent risk factor for obesity. Physical activity was the protective factor against obesity in children and adolescents. Further intervention measures must be implemented to reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity. A healthy lifestyle based on effective dietary education and physical activity promotion is required to prevent overweight and obesity among youth.

Protective Effect of Prenatal Social Support on the Intergenerational Transmission of Obesity in Low-Income Hispanic Families.

Background: Prepregnancy overweight/obesity (OW/OB) is a strong risk factor for child obesity. Few studies have identified modifiable factors that mitigate this risk. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine if prenatal social support buffers the effect of prepregnancy OW/OB on child birth weight z-score (BWz) and weight-for-age z-score (WFAz) trajectory. Methods: We performed a longitudinal secondary analysis of 524 mother-infant pairs enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of the Starting Early Program, a child obesity prevention program for Hispanic families with low income. Social support was assessed in the third trimester of pregnancy; maternal prepregnancy OW/OB and child WFAz from birth to age 3 years were obtained from medical records. Linear regression and multilevel modeling tested the effects of maternal prepregnancy OW/OB on child weight outcomes, and whether prenatal social support moderated these effects. Results: Prepregnancy OW/OB was associated with significantly higher child BWz (B = 0.23, p = 0.01) and WFAz trajectories (B = 0.19, 0.01). The interaction between social support and prepregnancy OW/OB was negatively related to child BWz (B = -0.26, p = 0.02) and WFAz trajectory (B = -0.40, p = 0.047). Conclusions: Prenatal social support may be protective against the intergenerational transmission of obesity risk. Interventions for the prevention of child obesity should consider incorporating social support into their design. Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT01541761.

Association Of Sleep, Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, And Screen Time With Obesity Among Children In The Pediatric/ Endocrine Unit

The frequency of stunting, pallor, zinc, and iron deficiencies serves as evidence that the globe is undergoing a rapid epidemiological and nutritional transition that is characterised by persistent nutritional insufficiencies. Objectives: Our study aimed to observe the association of physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep, and screen time with obesity in children of our community. Methods: A case-control study was conducted at the Department of Pediatrics and Endocrinology from 1st September 2019 to 1st March 2020. Participants were healthy children from 5 to 15 years of age. The participants (overweight or obese) and controls were selected from the same population based on BMI. We divided the sedentary activity into less than 4 hours and more than 4 hours. Results: In this study, 53% of children were boys and 47% were girls with a mean age of 7.9 in the non-obese group and 8.9 in the obese group. The majority (75.5%) were age group less than or equal to 10 years. The participants with more sleeping time were 57% less likely to develop obesity (OR: 0.424 with 95% CI of 0.19-0.94, P-value: 0.03) whereas participants with more sedentary activity were 6% more likely to develop obesity (OR:6.38 with 95% CI of 2.49-16.38, P-value: &lt;0.01). Conclusion: This study concluded that sedentary activity is significantly associated with overweight/obesity whereas sleep has negative relation with overweight/obesity making them, a potential risk factor for childhood obesity

Childhood obesity risk factors by race and ethnicity.

Childhood obesity is a public health concern that often worsens with age. Although several risk factors at the child and maternal levels have been identified in cross-sectional studies, less is known about their long-term contribution to racial/ethnic disparities in childhood obesity. This study examines child- and maternal-level factors associated with the growth trajectories of White, Black, and Latino children. Group-based trajectory models were used to identify BMI z score trajectories from birth to 9 years of age among White, Black, and Latino children. The associations of child- and maternal-level factors with the trajectory group identified as atrisk for obesity were examined using adjusted logistic regression analysis, stratified by race/ethnicity. Among White children, fast-food consumption (odds ratio [OR]=1.66; 95% CI: 1.09-2.52) was associated with higher odds of following an at-risk trajectory. Among Black and Latino children, prepregnancy BMI was associated with following an at-risk trajectory (OR=1.05; 95% CI: 1.03-1.08 for Black children, and OR=1.12; 95% CI: 1.07-1.17 for Latino children). These findings showed racial/ethnic differences in the risk factors that influence the likelihood of obesity during childhood. Further research is needed to identify modifiable racial/ethnic specific risk factors to guide obesity-prevention interventions.

The relationship of remnant cholesterol and abdominal obesity in children: A cross-sectional study.

BackgroundPrevious studies found that remnant cholesterol (RC) is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and childhood obesity is associated with cardiometabolic diseases. This study aimed to explore the relationship between RC and abdominal obesity in children.MethodsA total of 5,959 children, aged 6−12 years old, were selected from a cross-sectional study in urban-rural areas of Chongqing, China. RC was calculated by total cholesterol (TC)—high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) cholesterol—low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) cholesterol and was divided into four groups by quartiles (Q1–Q4).ResultsCompared to children with the lowest RC (Q1), children with higher RC had significantly higher odds of abdominal obesity (Q2: OR = 1.450, 95% CI: 1.131−1.859, p < 0.05; Q3: OR = 2.127, 95% CI: 1.632−2.772, p < 0.001; Q4: OR = 2.386, 95% CI: 1.819−3.130, p < 0.001). In the stratified analyses by urban-rural areas, the odds ratios were greater in rural areas (Q2: OR = 2.228, 95% CI: 1.572−3.160, p < 0.001; Q3: OR = 3.668, 95% CI: 2.191−6.140, p < 0.001; Q4: OR = 6.490, 95% CI: 2.271−18.551, p < 0.001) than in urban areas (Q2: OR = 1.644, 95% CI: 1.192−2.266, p < 0.05; Q3: OR = 2.266, 95% CI: 1.667−3.082, p < 0.001; Q4: OR = 2.711, 95% CI: 2.005−3.665, p < 0.001).ConclusionsOur study found that RC was positively correlated with abdominal obesity in children, and this association was higher for children living in rural areas.

Meta-analysis of case-control studies on obesity risk factors in children aged 3-6 years in China

To explore the risk factors of obesity in children aged 3-6 years in China. Using search terms, preschooler, obesity, risk factors/influence factors, case-control studies, and language limited to Chinese and English, search databases(CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, CBM, PubMed, Web of science, Embase, The Cochrane library). To collect domestic and foreign literature on the case-control study design of obesity risk factors in preschool children in China published from January 1, 2000 to June 30, 2021. Stata 14.0 software was used for Meta-analysis of the included literature, and publication bias test and sensitivity analysis were performed. A total of 11 770 people were included in 12 papers, including 4092 in the case group and 7678 in the control group. Meta analysis shows: birth weight ≥4000 g OR=2.176, 95% CI 1.507-3.143; strong appetite OR=3.860, 95%CI 2.991-4.980; fast eating OR=2.836, 95%CI 2.552-3.152; mother overweight and obesity OR=1.903, 95%CI 1.213-2.986; mother&apos;s low level of education OR=1.744, 95%CI 1.100-2.766; Physical inactivity OR=1.488, 95%CI 1.267-1.748. Birth weight ≥ 4000 g, fast eating speed, strong appetite, mother overweight and obesity, mother&apos;s low level of education, and physical inactivity are risk factors for obesity in children aged 3-6 years.

Parents’ Perception of Child Weight Status, Risk Factors and Health Concern of Childhood Obesity: A Systematic Review

The increased prevalence of childhood obesity is becoming a public health concern as it is related to numerous health implications. Parental perception of child’s weight status is an important factor for reducing childhood obesity burden. Parental perception of the risk factors and health outcomes of obesity are important in prevention and management of childhood obesity. However, previous reviews focused mainly on parental perceptions about healthy behaviors to reduce the burden of childhood obesity. Thus, this systematic review was carried out to investigate parental perceptions of their child weight status as well as risk factors and health concern of childhood obesity. A systematic review was conducted and was reported in accordance with PRISMA statement on studies between 2012 and 2017 through a variety of database like CINAHL, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus and Cochrane Library. However, out of 2,334 articles identified, only 35 studies were included, which originate mostly from high-income countries. The results revealed that parents’ misperception rate of their children’s weight varies from 9.6% to 90%, while parents perceptive that only genetic factors, non-vegetable-consumption or low physical activity and environmental factors are the key risk factors of childhood obesity. Hence, parents’ of obese children estimate their children to be at risk at having hypertension, heart disease, depression, and diabetes. In conclusion, parents have difficulty in correctly perceiving the obesity status of their children. Health care workers should be aware of the parents’ wrong perception of their children’s weight status. The result of this review may be used to develop an effective intervention programs aimed at reducing the burden of childhood obesity which focus on the parental perception of the risk factors contributing to childhood obesity.

Macrosomia: A Risk Factor of Childhood Obesity: A Case Report with Literature Review

Macrosomia: A Risk Factor of Childhood Obesity: A Case Report with Literature Review

Macrosomia: A Risk Factor of Childhood Obesity: A Case Report with Literature Review

Macrosomia: A Risk Factor of Childhood Obesity: A Case Report with Literature Review

Isolated Hyperthyrotropinemia Adversely Influences Lipid Metabolism in Children and Adolescents with Obesity.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to look at the relationship between hyperthyrotropinemia and anthropometric measurements as well as cardiometabolic risk factors in obese children and adolescents.Materials and MethodsA total of 100 patients with isolated hyperthyrotropinemia and 124 patients with normal thyroid functions, between 10 and 18 years of age, were included in the study. Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements and biochemical parameters were recorded. Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratios were calculated.ResultsThe subjects’ mean age was 12.6 ± 1.9 years and their mean body mass index was 29.8 ± 4 kg/m2. The isolated hyperthyrotropinemia group had considerably greater levels of triglyceride, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and the triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio. Higher prevalences of hypertriglyceridemia and increased triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio were found in the group with isolated hyperthyrotropinemia. Thyroid-stimulating hormone had a statistically significant positive relationship with triglyceride, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, and triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, as well as an inverse relationship with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Thyroid-stimulating hormone was positively correlated with triglyceride and triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio in both females and males; however, only in females, thyroid-stimulating hormone was positively correlated with non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio. The triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, as well as the rates of hypertriglyceridemia were higher in children with isolated hyperthyrotropinemia in the female subgroup. Male children with isolated hyperthyrotropinemia had significantly higher triglyceride levels in comparison with males with normal thyroid-stimulating hormone.ConclusionThe present study suggested that isolated hyperthyrotropinemia is associated with the deterioration of lipid metabolism, especially in females. Since dyslipidemia is accepted as a cardiovascular disease risk factor, isolated hyperthyrotropinemia might negatively influence cardiovascular functions in obese children and adolescents.

DNA methylation profiles in the blood of newborn term infants born to mothers with obesity.

Maternal obesity is an important risk factor for childhood obesity and influences the prevalence of metabolic diseases in offspring. As childhood obesity is influenced by postnatal factors, it is critical to determine whether children born to women with obesity during pregnancy show alterations that are detectable at birth. Epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation modifications have been proposed to mediate prenatal programming. We investigated DNA methylation signatures in male and female infants from mothers with a normal Body Mass Index (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m2) compared to mothers with obesity (BMI≥30 kg/m2). BMI was measured during the first prenatal visit from women recruited into the Ontario Birth Study (OBS) at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, ON, Canada. DNA was extracted from neonatal dried blood spots collected from heel pricks obtained 24 hours after birth at term (total n = 40) from women with a normal BMI and women with obesity matched for parity, age, and neonatal sex. Reduced representation bisulfite sequencing was used to identify genomic loci associated with differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in CpG-dense regions most likely to influence gene regulation. DMRs were predominantly localized to intergenic regions and gene bodies, with only 9% of DMRs localized to promoter regions. Genes associated with DMRs were compared to those from a large publicly available cohort study, the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC; total n = 859). Hypergeometric tests revealed a significant overlap in genes associated with DMRs in the OBS and ALSPAC cohorts. PTPRN2, a gene involved in insulin secretion, and MAD1L1, which plays a role in the cell cycle and tumor suppression, contained DMRs in males and females in both cohorts. In males, KEGG pathway analysis revealed significant overrepresentation of genes involved in endocytosis and pathways in cancer, including IGF1R, which was previously shown to respond to diet-induced metabolic stress in animal models and in lymphocytes in the context of childhood obesity. These preliminary findings are consistent with Developmental Origins of Health and Disease paradigm, which posits that adverse prenatal exposures set developmental health trajectories.

Knowledge, attitude and practice of Lebanese parents towards childhood overweight/obesity: the role of parent-physician communication

BackgroundChildhood overweight and obesity is one of the most challenging public health problems facing both developed and developing countries. Several studies carried worldwide assessed predisposing risk factors for childhood obesity, however, few addressed the Middle East region and particularly Lebanon. We aimed in our study to assess factors associated with knowledge, attitude and practice of Lebanese parents regarding childhood overweight, particularly the parent-physician communication.MethodsThis cross-sectional study conducted between September and December 2019. The questionnaire used was the standardized questionnaire of “Parent Questionnaire Curriculum” from the “We Can program” (Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity and Nutrition).ResultsA higher parent-physician communication score (Beta = 0.05) was significantly associated with higher knowledge, whereas having a higher intermediate vs low income (Beta = -0.65) was significantly associated with lower knowledge. A higher knowledge global score (Beta = 1.25), a higher parent-physician communication score (Beta = 0.18), and having a university education level compared to illiterate/primary/complementary (Beta = 2.59) were significantly associated with better attitude. A better attitude (Beta = 0.92) and a higher global knowledge score (Beta = 0.6) were significantly associated with a better practice.ConclusionThis study found that a better parent-physician communication and higher knowledge were associated with better attitude and practice towards obesity. Given the rise in childhood obesity worldwide, identifying factors that help reduce childhood obesity, is becoming mandatory. Our results can open up to future studies addressing strategies to prevent childhood obesity in Lebanon.