SALTO - Study Protocol and Rationale of a Community-Oriented Obesity Prevention Program in the Kindergarten

Causal relationship between gut microbiota and childhood obesity: A Mendelian randomization study and case-control study

BACKGROUND

Gut microbiota and obesity are deeply interconnected. However, the causality in the relationship between these factors remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the genetic relationship between gut microbiota and childhood obesity.

METHODS

Genetic summary statistics for the gut microbiota were obtained from the MiBioGen consortium. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) summary data for childhood obesity were obtained from North American, Australian, and European collaborative genome-wide meta-analyses. Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses were performed using the inverse variance weighting method. 16 children with obesity and 16 without obesity were included for clinical observation, and their weight, body mass index, blood lipid levels, and gut microbiology were assessed. Paired t-test was the primary method of data analysis, and statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

RESULTS

MR identified 16 causal relationships between the gut microbiome and childhood obesity. In the case-control study, we found that five gut microorganisms differed between children with and without obesity, whereas three gut microorganisms changed after weight loss in children with obesity.

CONCLUSION

Our study provides new insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying gut microbiota and childhood obesity.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ChiCTR2300072179.

NAME OF REGISTRY

Change of intestinal flora and plasma metabolome in obese children and their weight loss intervention: a randomized controlled tria URL OF REGISTRY: https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html.

DATE OF REGISTRATION

2023-06-06.

DATE OF ENROLMENT OF THE FIRST PARTICIPANT TO THE TRIAL

2023-06-07.

Health Literacy in Early Childhood: A Systematic Review of Empirical Studies

Early childhood plays a key role in the formation of healthy habits and the establishment of health literacy. Nonetheless, there are only a few research studies focusing on the health literacy level of children under the age of eight. The aim of our systematic review is to explore empirical research on health literacy related to early childhood. The research was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA protocol. This systematic review examines 12 studies published between 2013–2022. Results show that research focuses on different domains of health literacy for children. In relation to children’s food literacy, children understand the relationship between health and nutrition and they realize the health impact of obesity. The habits connected to oral health are strongly associated with parents’ knowledge of and behaviours around oral health. Results related to health care situations show that children are able to be actively involved in decision-making processes in connection with their health. Exploring young children’s health literacy is essential in order to be able to plan health promotion interventions, embedded into early childhood education. Picture-based messages or story-based messages supported by illustrations can help measure health literacy in early childhood and can support the formation of health literacy.

Prevalence of overweight among Dutch primary school children living in JOGG and non-JOGG areas

Background

One of the most influential integrated approaches towards reducing childhood obesity is EPODE, a program that has been translated to over 20 different countries worldwide.

Aim

The goal of this study was to explore how JOGG–the Dutch EPODE adaptation–might reduce overweight prevalence among children.

Methods

To compare whether overweight prevalence was different in JOGG areas vs. non-JOGG areas, in long-term JOGG areas vs. short-term JOGG areas, and in low SES JOGG areas vs. middle/high SES JOGG areas, secondary anthropometric and personal data of 209,565 Dutch children were mapped onto publicly available JOGG data.

Results

Findings showed that overweight prevalence decreased from 25.17% to 16.08% in JOGG-areas, and from 32.31% to 18.43% in long-term JOGG areas. However, when taking into account SES, the decrease in prevalence was mainly visible in low SES long-term JOGG areas.

Conclusion

JOGG appeared to be successful in targeting areas where overweight was most prevalent. Low SES areas that had implemented JOGG for a longer period of time, i.e., six years, appeared to be successful in decreasing overweight prevalence.

[Austrian Physical Activity Recommendations for Women during and after Pregnancy, Children of Kindergarten age, Children, and Adolescents]

Basierend auf bereits dargelegten internationalen Empfehlungen werden in diesem Beitrag die Österreichischen Bewegungsempfehlungen für Frauen während der Schwangerschaft und danach, für Kinder im Kindergartenalter sowie für Kinder und Jugendliche in diesem Beitrag vorgestellt. Für Frauen in der Schwangerschaft und in den ersten Monaten nach der Entbindung weichen die Bewegungsempfehlungen nicht von jenen der Erwachsenen ab. Lediglich bei vorliegenden gesundheitlichen Problemen, kann es zu Bewegungseinschränkungen kommen. Kindern unter 6 Jahren sollten so oft wie möglich Bewegungsgelegenheiten geboten werden und sich bis zu 3 Stunden täglich mit mittlerer und hoher Intensität auf vielfältige Weise bewegen können, um ein gesundes Aufwachsen zu ermöglichen. In der Altersgruppe der 6 bis 18-Jährigen wird tägliche Bewegung im Umfang von mindestens einer Stunde empfohlen. Bei der Auswahl der Bewegungsformen sollte der Entwicklungsstand und das Aktivitätsausmaß von Kindern und Jugendlichen beachtet werden, um ein freudvolles überdauerndes Bewegungsverhalten zu garantieren. Die Bewegungsempfehlungen dienen der Verbreitung im Bereich der Gesundheitsförderung und stellen eine Grundlage für die Entwicklung und Evaluation von gesundheitswirksamen Bewegungsprogrammen dar.