1
|
Womack SR, Beam CR, Giangrande EJ, Scharf RJ, Tong X, Ponnapalli M, Davis DW, Turkheimer E. Nonlinear Catch-Up Growth in Height, Weight, and Head Circumference from Birth to Adolescence: A Longitudinal Twin Study. Behav Genet 2023; 53:385-403. [PMID: 37634182 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-023-10151-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Owing to high rates of prenatal complications, twins are, on average, substantially smaller than population norms on physical measurements including height, weight, and head circumference at birth. By early childhood, twins are physically average. This study is the first to explore the process of catch-up growth by fitting asymptotic growth models to age-standardized height, weight, and head circumference measurements in a community sample of twins (n = 1281, 52.3% female) followed at up to 17 time points from birth to 15 years. Catch-up growth was rapid over the first year and plateaued around the population mean by early childhood. Shared environmental factors accounted for the majority of individual differences in initial physical size (57.7-65.5%), whereas additive genetic factors accounted for the majority of individual differences in the upper asymptotes of height, weight, and head circumference (73.4-92.6%). Both additive genetic and shared environmental factors were associated with variance in how quickly twins caught up. Gestational age and family SES emerged as important environmental correlates of physical catch-up growth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sean R Womack
- Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Gilmer Hall, 485 McCormick Rd, Charlottesville, VA, 22904, USA.
| | - Christopher R Beam
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Evan J Giangrande
- Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Gilmer Hall, 485 McCormick Rd, Charlottesville, VA, 22904, USA
| | - Rebecca J Scharf
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Xin Tong
- Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Gilmer Hall, 485 McCormick Rd, Charlottesville, VA, 22904, USA
| | - Medha Ponnapalli
- Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Gilmer Hall, 485 McCormick Rd, Charlottesville, VA, 22904, USA
| | - Deborah W Davis
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
- Norton Children's Research Institute Affiliated with the University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Eric Turkheimer
- Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Gilmer Hall, 485 McCormick Rd, Charlottesville, VA, 22904, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Blaychfeld Magnazi M, Gesser-Edelsburg A, Itzhaky Y, Endevelt R, Fliss Isakov N. Children in the Anthroposophical Education System Have Lower Rates of Obesity, and Higher Rates of Health Promoting Behaviors. Nutrients 2023; 15:3088. [PMID: 37513506 PMCID: PMC10386373 DOI: 10.3390/nu15143088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The anthroposophical philosophy is a holistic educational and lifestyle approach. Limited information exists on the health-promoting behavioral norms and obesity rates among children living anthroposophical vs. conventional lifestyles. AIMS This study aims to compare the prevalence of childhood obesity, and parents' perceptions of their children's food environment, between anthroposophical and conventional education systems. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional analysis of the National Anthropometric Measurement Survey for first grade students in Israel, comparing anthroposophical schools with matched conventional schools. Additionally, an online survey was distributed among parents of children in both school systems, assessing children's eating norms and dietary intake. RESULTS Overweight and obesity rates were higher among students in conventional schools (n = 205,500) compared to anthroposophical schools (n = 2247) (11.2% vs. 9.6%, and 7.8% vs. 4.8%, respectively; Pv < 0.001). Anthroposophical schools were perceived by more parents to have health-promoting curricula, health promoting teacher behavior, and health promoting social dietary norms, while their children's dietary intake was perceived as healthier both in school and in the after-school, social, and familial environment (Pv < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Children in anthroposophical education exhibited lower overweight and obesity rates, and engaged in more health-promoting behaviors. Further research is needed to explore the relationship between the anthroposophical lifestyle and childhood obesity, and to identify effective anthroposophical strategies for health promotion among children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Moran Blaychfeld Magnazi
- Nutrition Division, Public Health Services, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem 9101002, Israel
- School of Public Health, the Health and Risk Communication Laboratory, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Anat Gesser-Edelsburg
- School of Public Health, the Health and Risk Communication Laboratory, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Yafit Itzhaky
- Department of Public Health Nursing, Public Health Services, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem 9101002, Israel
| | - Ronit Endevelt
- Nutrition Division, Public Health Services, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem 9101002, Israel
- School of Public Health, the Health and Risk Communication Laboratory, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Naomi Fliss Isakov
- Nutrition Division, Public Health Services, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem 9101002, Israel
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Womack SR, Beam CR, Giangrande EJ, Scharf RJ, Tong X, Ponnapalli M, Davis DW, Turkheimer E. Nonlinear Catch-Up Growth in Height, Weight, and Head Circumference from Birth to Adolescence: A Longitudinal Twin Study. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2005347. [PMID: 36798196 PMCID: PMC9934774 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2005347/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Owing to high rates of prenatal complications, twins are, on average, substantially smaller than population norms on physical measurements including height, weight, and head circumference at birth. By early childhood, twins are physically average. This study is the first to explore the process of catch-up growth by fitting asymptotic growth models to age-standardized height, weight, and head circumference measurements in a community sample of twins ( n = 1,281, 52.3% female) followed at up to 17 time points from birth to 15 years. Catch-up growth was rapid over the first year and plateaued around the population mean by early childhood. Shared environmental factors accounted for the majority of individual differences in initial physical size (57.7%-65.5%), whereas additive genetic factors accounted for the majority of individual differences in the upper asymptotes of height, weight, and head circumference (73.4%-92.6%). Both additive genetic and shared environmental factors were associated with variance in how quickly twins caught up. Gestational age and family SES emerged as important environmental correlates of physical catch-up growth.
Collapse
|
4
|
Using Explainable Artificial Intelligence to Discover Interactions in an Ecological Model for Obesity. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19159447. [PMID: 35954804 PMCID: PMC9367834 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Ecological theories suggest that environmental, social, and individual factors interact to cause obesity. Yet, many analytic techniques, such as multilevel modeling, require manual specification of interacting factors, making them inept in their ability to search for interactions. This paper shows evidence that an explainable artificial intelligence approach, commonly employed in genomics research, can address this problem. The method entails using random intersection trees to decode interactions learned by random forest models. Here, this approach is used to extract interactions between features of a multi-level environment from random forest models of waist-to-height ratios using 11,112 participants from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study. This study shows that methods used to discover interactions between genes can also discover interacting features of the environment that impact obesity. This new approach to modeling ecosystems may help shine a spotlight on combinations of environmental features that are important to obesity, as well as other health outcomes.
Collapse
|
5
|
Hails KA, Shaw DS. Associations Between Boys' Early Childhood Exposure to Family and Neighborhood Poverty and Body Mass Index in Early Adolescence. J Pediatr Psychol 2019; 44:1009-1018. [PMID: 31233133 PMCID: PMC6761930 DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsz047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To test relations between exposure to poverty, in the forms of family income and neighborhood deprivation, during three developmental stages, and children's body mass index (BMI) in early adolescence. METHODS Data came from a longitudinal sample of racially diverse, urban, low-income boys. Interactions between family income to needs and census-derived neighborhood deprivation at three developmental stages-early childhood (18 and 24 months), preschool-to-school entry (3.5 and 6 years), and school-age (8 and 10 years)-were tested in relation to BMI at age 11. RESULTS There was a significant interaction whereby higher income predicted lower BMI only in the context of low levels of neighborhood deprivation in early childhood. In high-deprivation neighborhoods, higher income was associated with risk for overweight/obesity in early adolescence. This pattern was found to be specific to income and neighborhood deprivation measured in early childhood. CONCLUSIONS Findings have implications for policy relevant to obesity prevention. More research on associations between early exposure to poverty and later risk for obesity on low-income samples is warranted, as the relationship is likely complex and influenced by many different factors, including the family and neighborhood food environments and child health behaviors.
Collapse
|
6
|
Fuller-Rowell TE, Curtis DS, Klebanov PK, Brooks-Gunn J, Evans GW. Racial Disparities in Blood Pressure Trajectories of Preterm Children: The Role of Family and Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status. Am J Epidemiol 2017; 185:888-897. [PMID: 28449023 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kww198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2015] [Accepted: 04/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Racial disparities in cardiovascular disease mortality in the United States remain substantial. However, the childhood roots of these disparities are not well understood. In the current study, we examined racial differences in blood pressure trajectories across early childhood in a sample of African-American and European-American low-birth-weight preterm infants. Family and neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES), measured at baseline, were also examined as explanations for subsequent group disparities. Analyses focused on 407 African-American and 264 European-American children who participated in the Infant Health and Development Program, a US longitudinal study of preterm children born in 1985. Blood pressure was assessed on 6 occasions between the ages of 24 and 78 months, in 1987-1992. Across this age range, the average rate of change in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure was greater among African-American children than among European-American children. Neighborhood SES explained 29% and 24% of the racial difference in the average rate of change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively, whereas family SES did not account for group differences. The findings show that racial differences in blood pressure among preterm children emerge in early childhood and that neighborhood SES accounts for a portion of racial disparities.
Collapse
|
7
|
Community Partners Join Forces: Battling Obesity and Diabetes Together. J Community Health 2016; 42:344-348. [PMID: 27638034 DOI: 10.1007/s10900-016-0260-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Our objectives was to create an initiative to change the culture of a small community to improve quality of life as it relates to health for the residents through the use of health-related educational sessions, a coordinated fitness and nutrition program, and the construction of community fitness trails. We compared the use of a health-focused community driven program to the status quo in seeking opportunities to improve perception and understanding of one's health and overall quality of life for participants. Among the various techniques identified to improve a community's health outcomes, dissemination of information through the use of educational sessions empowered citizens to take control of their health status, and ultimately, their quality of life. This came with zero negative impacts for those providing the education, as well as those participating in the sessions. Although the application of these methods depends on local resources, leadership, and partnerships, programs similar to those presented here can help to improve quality of life for citizens in communities across the country facing the challenges secondary to a sedentary lifestyle.
Collapse
|
8
|
Mech P, Hooley M, Skouteris H, Williams J. Parent-related mechanisms underlying the social gradient of childhood overweight and obesity: a systematic review. Child Care Health Dev 2016; 42:603-24. [PMID: 27316858 DOI: 10.1111/cch.12356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2015] [Revised: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low socio-economic status (SES) is a significant risk factor for childhood overweight and obesity (COWOB) in high-income countries. Parents to young children buffer and accentuate social and cultural influences, and are central to the development of this disease. An understanding of the parent-related mechanisms that underlie the SES-COWOB relationship is needed to improve the efficacy of prevention and intervention efforts. OBJECTIVE A systematic review of relevant literature was conducted to investigate the mechanisms by which levels of SES (low, middle and high) are associated to COWOB, by exploring mediation and interaction effects. METHOD Six electronic databases were searched yielding 5155 initial records, once duplicates were removed. Studies were included if they investigated COWOB, SES, parent-related factors and the multivariate relationship between these factors. Thirty studies were included. Factors found to be mediating the SES-COWOB relationship or interacting with SES to influence COWOB were categorized according to an ecological systems framework, at child, parent, household and social system level factors. RESULTS High parent body mass index, ethnicity, child-care attendance, high TV time (mother and child), breastfeeding (early weaning), food intake behaviours and birthweight potentially mediate the relationship between SES and COWOB. Different risk factors for COWOB in different SES groups were found. For low SES families, parental obesity and maternal depressive symptoms were strong risk factors for COWOB, whereas long maternal working hours and a permissive parenting style were risk factors for higher SES families. None of the studies investigated parental psychological attributes such as attitudes, beliefs, self-esteem and so on as potential mechanisms/risk factors. CONCLUSIONS Families from different SES groups have different risk and protective factors for COWOB. Prevention and intervention efforts may have improved efficacy if they are tailored to address specific risk factors within SES.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P Mech
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Vic., Australia
| | - M Hooley
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Vic., Australia
| | - H Skouteris
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Vic., Australia
| | - J Williams
- School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Vic., Australia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ranabhat C, Kim CB, Park MB, Kim CS, Freidoony L. Determinants of Body Mass Index and Intelligence Quotient of Elementary School Children in Mountain Area of Nepal: An Explorative Study. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2016; 3:E3. [PMID: 27417241 PMCID: PMC4934477 DOI: 10.3390/children3010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2015] [Revised: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The physical growth and cognitive development of elementary school children are very crucial and this group is large in number but has little research dedicated to it. The physical growth and cognitive development of children occur simultaneously and can be measured by body mass index (BMI) and intelligence quotient (IQ). Previous studies could not sufficiently focus on both aspects. The aim of this study was to identify determinants of BMI and IQ of students in two elementary schools in the Humla district of Nepal. Two randomly selected elementary schools and all children available there (n = 173) participated in the study. BMI was calculated with the objective of proper measurement of height and weight of the children. Likewise, the updated universal nonverbal intelligence test (UNIT) was applied for IQ. Descriptive statistics, t-test, analysis of variance and multiple linear regressions were used when appropriate. Study findings showed that one-tenth of the children had grade 2 thinness (-2SD) and about one-third had poor IQ (<85). The age of the children (p < 0.05) and household economic status (p < 0.001) were significant for the BMI. Likewise, frequencies of illness in the previous year, mother's education (p < 0.05) and father's education (p < 0.001) were significant factors for the IQ score. More commonly, BMI and IQ scores were significantly lower in the ultra-poor group. Economic status and parent education are still major determinants of IQ and BMI in these students. Special programs and strategies should be launched to improve the poor ranking of IQ and BMI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chhabi Ranabhat
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Wonju College of Medicine, Yonsei University, 20 Ilsanro, WonjuCity, Gangwon-do 26426, Korea.
- Institute for Poverty Alleviation and International Development, Yonsei University, Yonseidae - gil, WonjuCity, Gangwon-do 26493, Korea.
- Health Science Foundations and Study Center, GPO - 44600 Kathmandu, Nepal.
| | - Chun-Bae Kim
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Wonju College of Medicine, Yonsei University, 20 Ilsanro, WonjuCity, Gangwon-do 26426, Korea.
- Institute for Poverty Alleviation and International Development, Yonsei University, Yonseidae - gil, WonjuCity, Gangwon-do 26493, Korea.
| | - Myung Bae Park
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Wonju College of Medicine, Yonsei University, 20 Ilsanro, WonjuCity, Gangwon-do 26426, Korea.
- Institute for Poverty Alleviation and International Development, Yonsei University, Yonseidae - gil, WonjuCity, Gangwon-do 26493, Korea.
| | - Chang Soo Kim
- Institute for Poverty Alleviation and International Development, Yonsei University, Yonseidae - gil, WonjuCity, Gangwon-do 26493, Korea.
- Department of Business Administration, Yonsei University, 1 Yonseidae - gil , Wonju City, Gangwon-do 26493, Korea.
| | - Leila Freidoony
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Wonju College of Medicine, Yonsei University, 20 Ilsanro, WonjuCity, Gangwon-do 26426, Korea.
- Institute for Poverty Alleviation and International Development, Yonsei University, Yonseidae - gil, WonjuCity, Gangwon-do 26493, Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Oddo VM, Jones-Smith JC. Gains in income during early childhood are associated with decreases in BMI z scores among children in the United States. Am J Clin Nutr 2015; 101:1225-31. [PMID: 25877494 PMCID: PMC4441804 DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.114.096693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 03/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence suggests that changes in family income are an important determinant of children's body mass index (BMI). However, few studies have leveraged longitudinal data to investigate the association of changes in family income on changes in BMI z score. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess whether gains in family income are associated with changes in BMI z score among children in the United States by using the nationally representative Early Childhood Longitudinal Survey Birth Cohort (ECLS-B). DESIGN We used longitudinal data from the ECLS-B to assess whether gains in family income, assessed by using the poverty to income ratio (PIR), were associated with changes in BMI z score among children aged 2-6 y. Child anthropometric characteristics and family income were assessed at 2-y, 4-y, 5-y, and 6-y visits. Sex-stratified, individual fixed-effects linear regression models compared children with themselves over time to control for time-invariant measured and unmeasured confounding factors. Models also controlled for time-varying confounders, including number of siblings, household structure (2 parents, one parent, or unrelated guardian), age, and age squared. RESULTS Children (n = ~9200) had a mean ± SE change in BMI z score of 0.12 ± 0.022, and family income increased by ~$3361 ± $536 during the 4-y period of observation (2003-2007). The association between increased PIR and change in BMI z score varied by sex but not by race-ethnicity. Among girls, an increase in PIR was associated with a statistically significant decrease in BMI z score (βPIR = -0.022; 95% CI: -0.042, -0.0016). There was a statistically significant association between PIR and BMI z score among preterm boys (βPIR + β PIRXpreterm = -0.067; 95% CI: -0.12, -0.018), but the relation was not statistically significant among boys born at term (βPIR = -0.0049; 95% CI: -0.024, 0.014). CONCLUSIONS By comparing children with themselves over time, we overcome many barriers that typically impede causal inference in observational studies. In this way, our study provides stronger evidence that gains in income during early childhood may promote healthy weight outcomes among girls.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa M Oddo
- From the Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD.
| | - Jessica C Jones-Smith
- From the Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| |
Collapse
|