Childhood obesity and the media

Humor and the willingness to buy healthy food posted on Instagram

Humorous messages (not derogatory jokes) related to obesity seem to be retweeted frequently. Potentially, such humor could be included in viral public health campaigns to combat obesity, but would jokes actually increase the likelihood of purchasing healthy foods advertised on social media? 411 participants were asked to test two soon-to-be-introduced features (e.g., repost button) in Instagram on their phones. Participants scrolled through a series of posts about various topics ranging from architecture to beauty products. A healthy food post, preceded by one of four joke types (two containing the word "fat"), was embedded at the top, middle or bottom position of the Instagram page. After participants scrolled through the page, perhaps reposting some posts, they were presented with the healthy food product featured in the post and were asked to indicate a purchase probability (0-100), as well as whether they recognized the food product from the post (yes/no). At the end of the study, the individual jokes were rated as "funny/not funny" and "positive/negative". If the food product was recognized, the joke type played a role. In particular, jokes containing the word "fat" had a negative effect on the purchase probability. However, if the food product was not recognized, only its position on the page mattered. The purchase probability was highest if the product was placed at the top. Social media, criticized for promoting unhealthy food consumption, especially among children, can therefore also be used to address issues such as the global obesity epidemic.

Effect of Palmitoylethanolamide Compared to a Placebo on the Gut Microbiome and Biochemistry in an Overweight Adult Population: A Randomised, Placebo Controlled, Double-Blind Study

This study investigates the effects of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) on the gut microbiome of overweight adults. Fifty-eight participants (twenty males, thirty-eight females) aged 18-65 years with a BMI range of 30-40 kg/m2 were recruited. Participants were randomised to receive PEA (n = 36) or a placebo (n = 22) for 12 weeks. Microbiota composition, richness, diversity, and metabolic functions, faecal short chain fatty acids and calprotectin, pathology markers, and health-related questionnaires were analysed throughout the 12 weeks of supplementation. PEA supplementation significantly reduced triglyceride levels and IL-2 concentrations. No significant differences were found in the overall microbiota composition between the groups, and microbiota richness and diversity remained consistent for both groups. Functional analysis demonstrated no differences in functional richness and diversity, but specific pathways were modified. PEA supplementation resulted in a decrease in the abundance of pathways related to aromatic compound degradation, NAD interconversion, and L-glutamate degradation, while pathways associated with molybdopterin biosynthesis and O-antigen building blocks exhibited increased abundance. Increased production of O-antigen results in smooth LPS associated with reduced pathogenic stealth and persistence. PEA supplementation may influence specific microbial species, metabolic pathways, and reduce serum triglyceride and IL-2 concentration, shedding light on the intricate relationship between PEA, the microbiome, and host health.

Screen time and preschool children: Promoting health and development in a digital world

COVID-19 transformed the family media environment and spurred research on the effects of screen media exposure and use on young children. This update of a 2017 CPS statement re-examines the potential benefits and risks of screen media in children younger than 5 years, with focus on developmental, psychosocial, and physical health. Four evidence-based principles-minimizing, mitigating, mindfully using, and modelling healthy use of screens-continue to guide children's early experience with a rapidly changing media landscape. Knowing how young children learn and develop informs best practice for health care providers and early years professionals (e.g., early childhood educators, child care providers). Anticipatory guidance should now include child and family screen use in (and beyond) pandemic conditions.

Screen exposure time of children under 6 years old: a French cross-sectional survey in general practices in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region

BACKGROUND

The advent of miniature, easy-to-use and accessible multimedia products is leading to screen exposure that begins in early childhood. Overexposure in preschool may lead to adverse effects. The main objective of this study was to determine the average daily time (ADT) spent by children under 6 years of age, followed in general practice, in front of television or interactive screens.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region among randomly selected General Practitioners (GPs). The average daily screen time (ADST), regardless of the type of device (TVs, computers, tablets, smartphones, video game consoles), of the included children aged 0 to 2 years and 2 to 5 years was calculated from a self-questionnaire completed by the parents. A multivariate Poisson regression model was performed to analyse daily screen time, adjusted by factors selected on their clinical relevance and statistical significance.

RESULTS

The 26 participating GPs included 486 parents. They reported an ADST of 26 (± 44) minutes on weekdays and 30 (± 46) minutes on weekends for children under 2 years of age. For children over 2 years of age, the ADST was 66 (± 82) minutes on weekdays and 103 (±91) minutes on weekends. There was an association between the children's average screen time and certain sociodemographic and environmental factors. Children whose parents had higher levels of education, those living in a family without TV screens or those who were well informed about the possible adverse health consequences of overuse of screens had lower average screen time. On the other hand, children of parents who spent more than 2 hours a day in front of screens, were more exposed.

CONCLUSIONS

In our survey, the ADST of children under 6 years of age followed in general practice was higher than the current recommendations. GPs can warn parents of preschool children of the effects of overexposure to screens, particularly parents of at-risk children.

Novel Physical Fitness Fuzzy Evaluation Model for Individual Health Promotion

Physical fitness level plays a significant role in health promotion. Cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular endurance, muscle power, and flexibility are the four key indicators of physical fitness level, listed as one of the important fields of preventive medicine. Some studies targeted at students, based on statistical inference, have put forward a set of physical fitness evaluation methods to see whether they have reached the level of healthy physical fitness. Testing and monitoring of individual physical fitness takes up little time and requires a small sample dataset; this paper hence proposed an evaluation and analysis model that suits individual physical fitness by means of a fuzzy evaluation method suitable for evaluating small sample datasets. This paper developed the evaluation model based on the upper confidence limit of the physical fitness evaluation index so that it could reduce the risk of misjudgment caused by sampling error. At the same time, a simple and easy-to-use fuzzy evaluation form was developed as an evaluation interface, which can present the whole picture of all evaluation indicators as well as have good and convenient management performance. Accordingly, it can help every individual simultaneously monitor multiple physical fitness indicators to ensure that each physical fitness index can meet the requirement of healthy physical fitness.

Bullying and coping with bullying among obese\overweight and normal weight children

This study aimed to determine the obese\overweight and normal weight children's status of encountering and coping with bullying and the correlational factors. This case-control study was conducted with 1.680 students in the second level (5th, 6th, 7th, 8th grades) from September 24, 2018 to May 31, 2019 in the Mediterranean Region in Turkey. The data were collected using a personal information form, the Traditional Peer Victimization Scale and the Coping with Bullying Scale. Data were analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk test, Mann-Whitney U test, Binary Logistic Regression, Backward Wald Elimination, and Simple Linear and Backward Stepwise Multiple Linear Regression analyses. This study indicated that the risk of becoming victims, bullies or bully-victims increases among boys and 8th grade students. It also found that the risk of being victims and bully-victims increases among children whose father is illiterate. There was no significant difference between obese\overweight and normal weight children in terms of being victims, bullies and bully-victims. Grade level, academic performance, father's education level and awareness of reporting bullying were effective in coping with bullying among the children, while weight was not. Further studies are needed to determine different factors that affect children's coping strategies against bullying.

Body-object interaction effect in word recognition and its relationship with screen time in Chinese children

A sample of 144 s- and 150 fourth-grade Chinese children was recruited to investigate the influence of body-object interactions (BOIs) on word recognition, i.e., how easily they could interact physically with each word's referent. The moderation on this relationship of children's screen time for entertainment purposes (i.e., the viewing or use of any device with a screen) was also examined. In a lexical decision task, the children were asked to judge whether each item was a real Chinese word. Each real word was assigned a BOI rating score. Model analysis showed that the BOI rating was a significant predictor of the children's word recognition performances. The children recognized the words with higher BOI ratings at higher accuracy rates and higher response speeds more than the words with lower BOI ratings, showing a BOI effect. These results suggest an involvement of sensorimotor information in processing concepts. As well, the results showed a moderating effect of screen time on the BOI effect. With the increase of screen time, the BOI effect was reduced in terms of response speed. Moreover, the influence of the screen time on the BOI effect was larger in the second graders than in the fourth graders.

The Interactions of Media Use, Obesity, and Suboptimal Health Status: A Nationwide Time-Trend Study in China

Obesity and suboptimal health status (SHS) have been global public health concerns in recent decades. A growing number of works have explored the relationships between media use and obesity, as well as SHS. This study aimed to examine the time trend of the associations between media use (including traditional media and new media) and obesity, as well as SHS. The data were derived from three national random samples of the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS), which was separately conducted in 2013, 2015, and 2017. In total, 34,468 respondents were included in this study, consisting of 16,624 males and 17,844 females, and the average age was 49.95 years old (SD = 16.72). It found that broadcast use and television use were positively associated with obesity and showed an increasing trend over time. Cellphone use emerged as a risk factor for obesity in 2017 and showed an increasing trend. By contrast, newspaper use, television use, and internet use were negatively associated with SHS, and television use showed a decreasing trend in the association with SHS, while internet and newspaper use showed an increasing trend. In conclusion, media use was positively associated with obesity while negatively associated with SHS. It showed a decreasing trend in the associations between traditional media use and obesity, while revealing an increasing trend in the associations between new media use and obesity, as well as SHS. The practical implications of the findings are discussed.

Physical Activity and Health Promotion in Esports and Gaming-Discussing Unique Opportunities for an Unprecedented Cultural Phenomenon

Due to long periods of sedentary behavior, and unhealthy diets gamers and esports players are at risk for numerous chronic diseases and all-cause mortality. Health research has started addressing the public health implications of the esports phenomenon, drawing a bleak picture of this megatrend. However, instead of just highlighting adverse public health implications of this trend, it is recommended to become involved in this phenomenon and positively influence it. Esports has an enormous potential for physical activity and health-promoting efforts, provides a context for broadly disseminating interventions, and offers new ways of gaining access to an often-neglected population. This paper presents: the potential of the esports phenomenon to promote physical activity, health, and well-being in gamers and esports players; the strategic and preventive solutions to ameliorate esports possible adverse health impacts; and the utilization of esports technology (streams, media platforms, exergames, etc.) as an innovative health promotion tool, especially reaching gamers and esports players with attractive and interactive interventions. This is to encourage systematic scientific research so that evidence-based guidelines and intervention strategies involving regular physical activity, healthy diet, and sleep hygiene for esports will be developed. The goal is to promote public health approaches that move toward a better integration of esports and gaming.

Association between television viewing and early childhood overweight and obesity: a pair-matched case-control study in China

BACKGROUND

Television (TV) viewing may affect children's obesity status. In the present study the association between TV viewing and early childhood overweight/obese status was investigated as well as the association based on age difference.

METHODS

The present study included 933 children 1-5 years of age that were individually matched on a 1:2 (cases: controls) ratio based on age and community. Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test was used to evaluate the association between TV viewing time and the related unhealthy behaviors. Conditional logistic regression models were used to quantify the association between TV viewing and children overweight/obese status in two age groups. The effects of TV viewing-related behaviors on the associations were further investigated.

RESULTS

TV viewing time > 1 h was positively associated with the prevalence of TV viewing-related unhealthy behaviors (P < 0.05). After controlling for these behaviors, the association between TV viewing and childhood overweight/obese status was significant among 4- to 5-year-old children (odds ratio, OR = 1.72, 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.16--2.54), but not significant among 1- to 3-year-old children.

CONCLUSIONS

Childhood overweight/obese status was positively associated with longer TV viewing time only among 4- to 5-year-old children. The results from the present study may help in identifying the population susceptible for overweight and obesity caused by TV viewing.

Media and Young Minds: Comparing State Screen Media Use Regulations for Children Under 24 Months of Age in Early Care and Education to a National Standard

Introduction Excessive screen media use has been associated with a number of negative health outcomes in young children, including increased risk for obesity and comparatively lagging cognitive development. The purpose of this study was to assess state licensing regulations restricting screen media use for children under 24 months old in early care and education (ECE) and to compare regulations to a national standard. Methods We reviewed screen media use regulations for all US states for child care centers ("centers") and family child care homes ("homes") and compared these regulations to a national standard discouraging screen media use in children under 24 months of age. We assessed associations between state geographic region and year of last update with the presence of regulations consistent with the standard. In centers, 24 states had regulations limiting screen media use for children under 24 months of age and 19 states had regulations limiting screen media use in homes. Results More states in the South and fewer states in the Midwest had regulations limiting screen media use. The association between geographic region and regulations was not significant for centers (p = 0.06), but was for homes (p = 0.04). The year of last update (within the past 5 years versus older than 5 years) was not associated with regulations for centers (p = 0.18) or homes (p = 0.90). Discussion Many states lacked screen media use regulations for ECE. States should consider adding screen media use restrictions for children under 24 months based on current research data and current recommendations in future regulations updates.

Media Devices in Parents' and Children's Bedrooms and Children's Media Use

OBJECTIVES

The American Academy of Pediatrics advises having no media devices in children's bedrooms. We examined the link between media devices in parents' and children's bedrooms and children's media use.

METHODS

Ninety parent-child dyads participated in a community- based healthy weight management study targeting 8-to-12-year-olds with body mass index (BMI)-for-age ≥75th percentile. Parents and children reported the number of media devices in their bedrooms and hours spent using media devices on weekdays and weekend days.

RESULTS

Most children (61%) and parents (92%) had at least one media device in their bedrooms. The numbers of devices in parents' and children's bedrooms were positively correlated. Children with no bedroom media devices reported less weekday media use compared to children with bedroom devices. A similar non-significant pattern was found for children's weekend media use.

CONCLUSIONS

Study findings indicate similar media devices in the bedrooms of parents and children and a significant association between media devices in children's bedrooms and their weekday media use. Efforts to reduce media in parent bedrooms may enhance interventions targeting reduction of media use among children, especially those with higher BMI.

Le temps d’écran et les jeunes enfants : promouvoir la santé et le développement dans un monde numérique

Le paysage numérique évolue plus rapidement que les recherches traitant des effets des médias sur écran sur le développement, l’apprentissage et la vie familiale des jeunes enfants. Le présent document de principes porte sur les bienfaits et les risques potentiels de ces médias chez les enfants de moins de cinq ans. Il s’attarde sur la santé développementale, psychosociale et physique. Les conseils fondés sur des données probantes en vue d’optimiser et de soutenir les pratiques des jeunes enfants à l’égard des médias reposent sur quatre principes : limiter le temps d’écran, en atténuer les effets négatifs, être attentif à l’utilisation des écrans et donner l’exemple d’habitudes positives. Les connaissances sur l’apprentissage et le développement des jeunes enfants éclairent les dispensateurs de soins quant aux stratégies en matière de pratiques exemplaires.

Screen time and young children: Promoting health and development in a digital world

The digital landscape is evolving more quickly than research on the effects of screen media on the development, learning and family life of young children. This statement examines the potential benefits and risks of screen media in children younger than 5 years, focusing on developmental, psychosocial and physical health. Evidence-based guidance to optimize and support children's early media experiences involves four principles: minimizing, mitigating, mindfully using and modelling healthy use of screens. Knowing how young children learn and develop informs best practice strategies for health care providers.

The effects of policy actions to improve population dietary patterns and prevent diet-related non-communicable diseases: scoping review

Poor diet generates a bigger non-communicable disease (NCD) burden than tobacco, alcohol and physical inactivity combined. We reviewed the potential effectiveness of policy actions to improve healthy food consumption and thus prevent NCDs. This scoping review focused on systematic and non-systematic reviews and categorised data using a seven-part framework: price, promotion, provision, composition, labelling, supply chain, trade/investment and multi-component interventions. We screened 1805 candidate publications and included 58 systematic and non-systematic reviews. Multi-component and price interventions appeared consistently powerful in improving healthy eating. Reformulation to reduce industrial trans fat intake also seemed very effective. Evidence on food supply chain, trade and investment studies was limited and merits further research. Food labelling and restrictions on provision or marketing of unhealthy foods were generally less effective with uncertain sustainability. Increasingly strong evidence is highlighting potentially powerful policies to improve diet and thus prevent NCDs, notably multi-component interventions, taxes, subsidies, elimination and perhaps trade agreements. The implications for policy makers are becoming clearer.

Screen exposure and body mass index status in 2- to 11-year-old children

OBJECTIVE

To measure the relationship between screen exposure and obesity in a large, urban sample of children and to examine whether the relationship is moderated by sociodemographics.

METHODS

We asked parents of 11 141 children visiting general pediatrics clinics if the child had a television (TV) in the bedroom and/or watched more than 2 hours of TV/computer daily. We measured children's height and weight, then used logistic regression to determine whether screen exposure indicators predicted obesity (body mass index ≥ 85th percentile) and interacted with race/ethnicity, sex, age, and health care payer.

RESULTS

Having a TV in the bedroom predicted obesity risk (P = .01); however, watching TV/computer for more than 2 hours a day did not (P = 0.54). There were no interactions.

CONCLUSIONS

Asking whether a child has a TV in the bedroom may be more important than asking about duration of screen exposure to predict risk for obesity.

Housing and child health

The connection between housing and health is well established. Physical, chemical, and biological aspects of the child's home, such as cleanliness, moisture, pests, noise, accessibility, injury risks, and other forms of housing environmental quality, all have the potential to influence multiple aspects of the health and development of children. Basic sanitation, reduced household crowding, other improvements in housing and expanded, and improved housing regulations have led to advances in children's health. For example, lead poisoning prevention policies have profoundly reduced childhood lead exposure in the United States. This and many other successes highlight the health benefits for families, particularly children, by targeting interventions that reduce or eliminate harmful exposures in the home. Additionally, parental mental health problems, food insecurity, domestic violence, and the presence of guns in children's homes all are largely experienced by children in their homes, which are not as yet considered part of the Healthy Homes agenda. There is a large movement and now a regulatory structure being put in place for healthy housing, which is becoming closely wedded with environmental health, public health, and the practice of pediatrics. The importance of homes in children's lives, history of healthy homes, asthma, and exposures to lead, carbon monoxide, secondhand/thirdhand smoke, radon, allergy triggers is discussed, as well as how changes in ambient temperature, increased humidity, poor ventilation, water quality, infectious diseases, housing structure, guns, electronic media, family structure, and domestic violence all affect children's health.

The impact of marketing practices and its regulation policies on childhood obesity. Opinions of stakeholders in Spain

The aim of this study was to identify Spanish stakeholders' views on the relationship between childhood obesity and the marketing and advertising of food and beverages aimed at children in Spain, as well as on the corresponding of regulations. We performed a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with Stakeholders/Key Informants (KI) from 13 organisations: experts (2), consumer advocates (1), public health advocates (2), food manufacturers (2), advertising advocates (1), government representatives (1), child/family/school advocates (2) and media (1). The variables studied were Prevalence of childhood obesity and its relationship to marketing/advertising and Regulation of marketing. In order to identify the most relevant arguments (pearls) in the discourses, a blind independent analysis by four members of the research team was performed. We found that the prevalence of childhood obesity was perceived to be higher than the European average. Self-regulation was identified as the main form of marketing control. Only food manufacturers and advertising agencies considered voluntary action and supervisory procedures to be effective. The other stakeholders advocated state control through legislation and non-state actions such as external assessment and sanctions. Despite the divergence of opinion between stakeholders, there was agreement on the need to improve supervision and to ensure compliance with current self-regulatory codes in Spain.