Waist Circumference In Girls Research Articles

Epidemiological characteristics of cardio-metabolic risk factors among children and adolescents aged 7-17 years in 4 provinces of China

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of cardio-metabolic risk factors among children and adolescents aged 7-17 years in (Hebei, Zhejiang, Shaanxi, Hunan) 4 provinces of China and the influence of demographic and economic characteristics on them. Methods: A total of 1 747 children and adolescents aged 7-17 from a Community-based Cohort Study on Nervous System Disease in 2018 were selected. High waist circumference, central obesity, elevated TG, elevated TC, elevated LDL-C, decreased HDL-C, elevated blood pressure, elevated blood glucose, and clustering of risk factors was analyzed. χ2 test was used for univariate analysis, multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the correlation between demographic and economic factors and risk factors, and the Cochran-Armitage trend test was used for trend analysis. Results: The detection rates of high waist circumference, decreased HDL-C, elevated blood pressure, elevated TG, elevated blood glucose, central obesity, elevated TC, and elevated LDL-C were 29.08%, 15.28%, 13.17%, 13.05%, 11.79%, 7.33%, 6.53%, and 5.15%, respectively. The rate of clustering of risk factors was 18.37%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of high waist circumference in girls was higher than that in boys (OR=1.67, 95%CI: 1.26-2.22), and the risk of elevated blood glucose and clustering of risk factors was lower than that in boys (OR=0.69, 95%CI: 0.49-0.99; OR=0.72, 95%CI: 0.53-0.99). The risk of high waist circumference, decreased HDL-C, and clustering of risk factors in 13-17 years old group was higher than that in the 7-year-olds group (OR=2.24, 95%CI: 1.65-3.04; OR=1.59, 95%CI: 1.20-2.11; OR=1.75, 95%CI: 1.26-2.44), but the risk of central obesity was lower (OR=0.54, 95%CI: 0.37-0.78). The risk of elevated TC, elevated TG, and decreased HDL-C in children and adolescents in southern was higher than that in northern parts of China (OR=1.88, 95%CI: 1.25-2.83; OR=1.61, 95%CI: 1.17-2.22; OR=1.55, 95%CI: 1.19-2.04), but the risk of high waist circumference and central obesity was lower than that in northern China (OR=0.57, 95%CI: 0.43-0.75; OR=0.62, 95%CI: 0.42-0.90). The risk of decreased HDL-C in rural children and adolescents was higher than in urban children and adolescents (OR=1.36, 95%CI: 1.02-1.83). The risk of multiple risk factors increased with the increase in average monthly household income per capita and BMI level. Conclusions: High waist circumference, decreased HDL-C and elevated blood pressure were prominent cardio-metabolic risk factors among children and adolescents aged 7-17 years in 4 provinces of China in 2018. The region, average monthly household income per capita, and BMI were the main influencing factors of cardio-metabolic risk factors.

Probabilistic prediction of segmental body composition in Iranian children and adolescents

BackgroundAdolescents' body composition is considered an important measure to evaluate health status. An examination of any of the segmental compartments by anthropometric indices is a more usable method than direct methods.ObjectivesTo propose a method based on the network approach for predicting segmental body composition components in adolescent boys and girls using anthropometric measurements.MethodsA dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) dataset in the south of Iran, including 476 adolescents (235 girls and 241 boys) with a range of 9–18 years, was obtained. Several anthropometric prediction models based on the network approach were fitted to the training dataset (TRD 80%) using bnlearn, an R add-in package. The best fitted models were applied to the validation dataset (VAD 20%) to assess the prediction accuracy.ResultsPresent equations consisting of age, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and hip circumference accounted for 0.85 (P < 0.001) of the variability of DXA values in the corresponding age groups of boys. Similarly, reasonable estimates of DXA values could be obtained from age, weight, height, and BMI in girls over 13 years, and from age, weight, height, BMI, and waist circumference in girls under 13 years, respectively, of 0.77 and 0.83 (P < 0.001). Correlations between robust Gaussian Bayesian network (RGBN) predictions and DXA measurements were highly significant, averaging 0.87 for boys and 0.82 for girls (P < 0.001).ConclusionsThe results revealed that, based on the present study’s predictive models, adolescents' body composition might be estimated by input anthropometric information. Given the flexibility and modeling of the present method to test different motivated hypotheses, its application to body compositional data is highly appealing.

Prenatal Exposure to Acetaminophen and Overweight in Childhood.

Acetaminophen (paracetamol), a medication commonly used in pregnancy, has hormonal effects, as has been suggested in experimental studies. Developmental exposure to endocrine disruptors could predispose individuals to weight gain. This study evaluated the associations between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and overweight in childhood. A total of 30,127 (age 7) and 24,934 (age 11) children in the Danish National Birth Cohort born during 1996 to 2002 were studied. Mothers reported acetaminophen use in telephone interviews conducted during pregnancy, and children's BMI and waist circumference were reported by parents at 7 and 11 years. Differences for BMI z score and waist circumference were estimated, as well as risk ratios for overweight in girls and boys adjusting for indications of use and other confounders. There were no consistent associations found for prenatal acetaminophen exposure and BMI z score or waist circumference in girls and boys at both ages. Prenatal acetaminophen exposure was associated with overweight in girls at age 11 (risk ratio 1.31, 95% CI: 1.10-1.56, if exposed in all three trimesters; P < 0.001 for cumulative weeks of exposure), but no association was found in boys. There was no strong association between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and childhood BMI, but the findings on frequent prenatal exposure to acetaminophen and overweight in girls warrant further investigation.

Effects of X-chromosome Tenomodulin Genetic Variants on Obesity in a Children\u2019s Cohort and Implications of the Gene in Adipocyte Metabolism

Tenomodulin (TNMD) is a type II transmembrane glycoprotein that has been recently linked to obesity, and it is highly expressed in obese adipose tissue. Several sex-dependent associations have been observed between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the TNMD gene, which is located in the X-chromosome, and obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and metabolic syndrome in adults. On the other hand, results are lacking for children. We aimed (i) to study the association between TNMD genetic variants and metabolic complications related to childhood obesity and (ii) to investigate the function of TNMD in human adipocytes. We conducted a case-control, multicenter study in 915 Spanish children and demonstrated significant positive associations between TNMD genetic variants and BMI z-score, waist circumference, fasting glucose, and insulin resistance in boys, highlighting the SNP rs4828038. Additionally, we showed a BMI-adjusted inverse association with waist circumference in girls. Second, in vitro experiments revealed that TNMD is involved in adipogenesis, along with glucose and lipid metabolism in differentiated adipocytes, and these effects may be mediated through AMPK activation. Hence, these results suggest that TNMD genetic variants could be potentially useful as early life risk indicators for obesity and T2DM. In addition, we support the fact that TNMD exhibits significant metabolic functions in adipocytes.

Self-reported physical activity during leisure time was favourably associated with body composition in Norwegian adolescents.

We studied the cross-sectional association between self-reported physical activity and body composition in adolescents. The Norwegian Fit Futures Cohort Study was conducted in the Tromsø and Balsfjord municipalities during 2010-2011. All 1,117 students in their first year of upper secondary high school were invited to attend an examination at the Clinical Research Unit at the University Hospital of Northern Norway and 93% agreed. After exclusions, we analysed 945 participants (51% boys) with a mean age of 16.1years (range 15.5-17.5years) with valid measurements. The associations between self-reported weekly hours of physical activity during leisure time and four measures of body composition were explored using linear regression. Self-reported physical activity was significantly associated with the fat mass index (p<0.03) and lean mass index (p<0.001) in both genders. The lean mass index increased with higher levels of activity and the fat mass index decreased. Physical activity was not associated with body mass index for either gender, but there was an inverse association with waist circumference in girls (p=0.04). Physical activity was favourably associated with body composition in Norwegian adolescents and showed contrasting associations with the fat mass and lean mass indexes.

Rapid weight gain during infancy and early childhood is related to higher anthropometric measurements in preadolescence.

This study examined the relationship between rapid weight gain during infancy and/or early childhood and anthropometric measurements [body mass index (BMI), percent body fat (%BF), waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR)] in preadolescence by sex. Subjects were fourth-grade school children (aged 9 to 10years) from elementary schools in Ina-town, Japan, in 2010. Measurements of height, weight, %BF and WC were conducted for each subject. We obtained data on height and weight of subjects at birth, age 1.5years and age 3years from the Maternal and Child Health handbook. Rapid weight gain was defined as a change in weight-for-age standard deviation score greater than 0.67 from birth to age 1.5years (infancy) or from age 1.5 to 3years (early childhood). All anthropometric variables (BMI, %BF, WC and WHtR) at age 9 to 10years were significantly higher in the rapid weight gain during both infancy and early childhood period group than in the no rapid weight gain group, regardless of sex. When compared with the no rapid weight gain group, rapid weight gain during early childhood period had significantly higher BMI and WC in boys and BMI, %BF and WC in girls. Compared with the no rapid weight gain group, the rapid weight gain during infancy group had a significantly higher WC in boys and significantly higher BMI and WC in girls. Rapid weight gain during both infancy and early childhood was related to higher anthropometric measurements, including WHtR, among Japanese preadolescents, regardless of sex. This study suggests that rapid weight gain during infancy and early childhood may be a risk factor for general/abdominal obesity later in life.

Association between prenatal polychlorinated biphenyl exposure and obesity development at ages 5 and 7 y: a prospective cohort study of 656 children from the Faroe Islands

Chemicals with endocrine-disrupting abilities may act as obesogens and interfere with the body's natural weight-control mechanisms, especially if exposure occurs during prenatal life. We examined the association between prenatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) and subsequent obesity at 5 and 7 y of age. From 1997 to 2000, 656 pregnant Faroese women were recruited. PCB and DDE were measured in maternal serum and breast milk, and children's weight, height, and waist circumference (WC) were measured at clinical examinations at 5 and 7 y of age. The change in body mass index (BMI) from 5 to 7 y of age was calculated. Analyses were performed by using multiple linear regression models for girls and boys separately, taking into account maternal prepregnancy BMI. For 7-y-old girls who had overweight mothers, PCB was associated with increased BMI (β = 2.07, P = 0.007), and PCB and DDE were associated with an increased change in BMI from 5 to 7 y of age (PCB: β = 1.23, P = 0.003; DDE: β = 1.11, P = 0.008). No association was observed with BMI in girls with normal-weight mothers. PCB was associated with increased WC in girls with overweight mothers (β = 2.48, P = 0.001) and normal-weight mothers (β = 1.25, P = 0.04); DDE was associated with increased WC only in girls with overweight mothers (β = 2.21, P = 0.002). No associations were observed between PCB or DDE and BMI in 5-y-old girls. For boys, no associations were observed. Results suggest that prenatal exposure to PCB and DDE may play a role for subsequent obesity development. Girls whose mothers have a high prepregnancy BMI seem most affected.

Associations of Sedentary Behavior, Sedentary Bouts and Breaks in Sedentary Time with Cardiometabolic Risk in Children with a Family History of Obesity

BackgroundAlthough reports in adults suggest that breaks in sedentary time are associated with reduced cardiometabolic risk, these findings have yet to be replicated in children.PurposeTo investigate whether objectively measured sedentary behavior, sedentary bouts or breaks in sedentary time are independently associated with cardiometabolic risk in a cohort of Canadian children aged 8–11 years with a family history of obesity.MethodsData from 286 boys and 236 girls living in Quebec, Canada, with at least one biological parent with obesity (QUALITY cohort) were collected from 2005–2008, and analyzed in 2013. Sedentary behavior, light and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were measured over 7 days using accelerometry. Leisure time computer/video game use and TV viewing over the past 7 days were self-reported. Outcomes included waist circumference, body mass index Z-score, fasting insulin, fasting glucose, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, C-reactive protein and a continuous cardiometabolic risk score.ResultsAfter adjustment for confounders, breaks in sedentary time and the number of sedentary bouts lasting 1–4 minutes were associated with reduced cardiometabolic risk score and lower BMI Z-score in both sexes (all p<0.05). The number of sedentary bouts lasting 5–9 minutes was negatively associated with waist circumference in girls only, while the number of bouts lasting 10–14 minutes was positively associated with fasting glucose in girls, and with BMI Z-score in boys (all p<0.05). Leisure time computer/video game use was associated with increased cardiometabolic risk score and waist circumference in boys, while TV viewing was associated with increased cardiometabolic risk, waist circumference, and BMI Z-score in girls (all p<0.05).ConclusionsThese results suggest that frequent interruptions in sedentary time are associated with a favourable cardiometabolic risk profile and highlight the deleterious relationship between screen time and cardiometabolic risk among children with a family history of obesity.

Emotional psychopathology and increased adiposity: Follow-up study in adolescents

Based on data from a three-year longitudinal study, we assess the effect, according to gender, of emotional psychopathology in preadolescence on anthropometric and body composition parameters in adolescence (N = 229). Psychopathology was assessed using the Screen for Childhood Anxiety and Related Emotional Disorders, the Children's Depression Inventory and the MINI-International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Kids. Body fat percentage (%BF), waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI) were also determined. Following analysis with adjusted multiple regression models, the results indicated that symptoms of depression and separation anxiety were significantly associated with increased WC and BMI in boys, and that somatic symptoms were associated with increased WC and %BF in girls. Diagnosis of social phobia, panic disorder or dysthymia led to significantly increased WC and/or BMI in boys and dysthymia increased WC in girls. These findings suggest that emotional psychopathology in preadolescence is associated with increased weight gain and abdominal fat in adolescence.

Overweight and waist circumference among Norwegian 11-year-olds and associations with reported parental overweight and waist circumference: The HEIA study

The aim of this paper is to investigate anthropometric characteristics in 11-year-old Norwegian by gender and parental education, and to study associations between adolescents' overweight and waist circumference (WC) and maternal and paternal overweight and WC. A total of 1483 adolescents, 1156 mothers, and 1016 fathers participated in the baseline survey of the HEalth In Adolescents (HEIA) study (September 2007). Anthropometric measures of the adolescents were assessed by project staff according to standard procedures. Self-reported data about pubertal status were collected through questionnaires. Parental education and anthropometric measures of parents were collected by self-report. The prevalence of overweight (including obesity) determined by the cut-offs for body mass index (BMI) suggested by the International Obesity Task Force was 14.6% among girls and 13.6% among boys. The highest prevalence of overweight was observed among adolescents with parents who had less than 12 years of education (18.8%). Overweight and WC in girls was strongly associated with maternal overweight and WC. For boys, overweight and WC was strongly associated with both maternal and paternal overweight and WC. There was a social gradient in anthropometric characteristics and overweight rates among Norwegian 11-year-old adolescents. Maternal overweight and WC was associated with overweight and WC in girls and boys, while paternal overweight and WC were associated with overweight and WC in boys. The results indicate that mothers are key persons in prevention of overweight among adolescents, despite gender. Fathers are important as role models for their sons. Targeting parental overweight/ obesity could be a strategy in future interventions.

BMI and Waist Circumference in Predicting Cardiovascular Risk Factor Clustering in Chinese Adolescents

To derive the optimal BMI and waist circumference (WC) cut-off values to predict clustering of cardiovascular risk factors in Hong Kong Chinese adolescents. A total of 2102 Hong Kong Chinese 12 to 19 years of age were recruited. Participants were considered to have clustering of risk factors if at least three of the following risk factors were present: 1) high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) < or = 1.03 mM, 2) low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) > or = 2.6 mM, 3) triglyceride (TG) > or = 1.24 mM, 4) fasting plasma glucose (FPG) >/=6.1 mM, and 5) age-, sex-, and height-adjusted systolic or diastolic blood pressure (BP) > or = 90th percentile. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were generated to identify the optimal age-adjusted BMI and WC cut-off values to predict clustering of risk factors in boys and girls separately. These age-adjusted BMI and WC cut-offs were transformed to percentile values. Cole's lambda-mu-sigma (LMS) method was used to obtain smoothed age-specific BMI and WC at these percentile values. The areas under ROC curves for BMI in girls and boys were 0.85 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.77 to 0.92] and 0.76 (95% CI, 0.66 to 0.85), respectively. The respective areas under ROC curves for WC in girls and boys were 0.82 (95% CI, 0.74 to 0.91) and 0.78 (95% CI, 0.68 to 0.87). The optimal BMI thresholds were at the 78th percentile for girls and the 72nd percentile for boys. The respective values for WC were at the 77th percentile for girls and the 76th percentile for boys. The sensitivities and specificities of these cut-off values ranged from 72% to 80%. Age- and sex-specific BMI and WC cut-off values can be used to identify adolescents with clustering of cardiovascular risk factors.