Global Evolution of Obesity Research in Children and Youths: Setting Priorities for Interventions and Policies

Chinese version of the Tendency to Avoid Physical Activity and Sport (TAPAS) scale: testing unidimensionality, measurement invariance, concurrent validity, and known-group validity among Taiwanese youths

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Psychosocial factors affect individuals' desire for physical activity. A newly developed instrument (Tendency to Avoid Physical Activity and Sport; TAPAS) has been designed to assess the avoidance of physical activity. Considering cultural differences could be decisive factors, the present study aimed to translate and validate the TAPAS into Chinese (Mandarin) for Taiwanese youths, and further cultural comparisons are expected.

METHODS

Standard translation procedure (i.e., forward translation, back translation, and reconciliation) was used to translate the English TAPAS into the Chinese TAPAS. Following translation, 608 youths (mean [SD] age 29.10 [6.36] years; 333 [54.8%] women) participated in the study via a snowballing sampling method with an online survey. All participants completed the Chinese TAPAS and additional instruments assessing weight stigma and psychological distress. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to examine the factor structure of the Chinese TAPAS and multigroup CFA to examine measurement invariance across gender (men vs. women) and weight status (overweight vs. non-overweight). Pearson correlations were used to examine the concurrent validity; independent t-tests between gender groups and weight status groups were used to examine the known-group validity.

RESULTS

Consistent with the English version, the Chinese TAPAS was found to have a one-factor structure evidenced by CFA results. The structure was invariant across gender and weight status groups evidenced by multigroup CFA results. Concurrent validity was supported by significant associations with the related constructs assessed (r = 0.326 to 0.676; p < 0.001). Known-group validity was supported by the significant differences in TAPAS total scores between gender and weight status groups (p = 0.004 and < 0.001; Cohen's d = 0.24 and 0.48).

CONCLUSION

The Chinese version of the TAPAS is a valid and reliable instrument assessing individuals' avoidance of physical activity and sports due to underlying psychosocial issues among Taiwanese youths. It is anticipated to be applied within a large Asian population, as well as cross-cultural comparisons, for further explorations in health, behavioral and epidemiological research and practice.

Public Policies on Obesity: A Literature Review of Global Challenges and Response Strategies

As a complex and multifactorial health problem, obesity results from the interaction of genetic, environmental, dietary, and lifestyle factors. Globally, the increase in obesity and related chronic diseases has been associated with global trade liberalization, rapid urbanization, and economic growth. This article is a narrative literature review on the global obesity problem and explores the global challenges of obesity and strategies to address them. The research methodology included a retrieval of peer-reviewed articles, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Specific search terms like "obesity", "policy", "nutrition", and "global", outline the impact of obesity on global health and social systems, as well as policy effectiveness and gaps that exist. The outcome reveals regional differences in obesity rates and provides an analysis of the policies that countries have implemented to address obesity and their effectiveness, in particular concerning improving the quality of diets and limiting the intake of added sugars. Despite some policies proving effective, the challenge of obesity is far from being fully addressed, necessitating robust international efforts and strategies.

Vegan Diets for Children: A Narrative Review of Position Papers Published by Relevant Associations

The scientific discourse on vegan diets for children and adolescents primarily involves referencing position statement papers from different scientific and professional organizations, including paediatric associations. Over the past two decades, specialized associations have issued official statements and published position papers about adopting well-designed vegan diets during crucial life stages, including pregnancy and lactation, infancy, and childhood. A subset of these associations firmly supports the notion that a well-designed vegan diet can indeed be healthy and support normal growth and development during particularly delicate life stages, emphasizing careful planning, vitamin B12 supplementation, and regular supervised medical and dietetics oversight. In contrast, specific paediatric associations caution against vegan diets for children and adolescents, citing potential harm and the lack of adequate substantiation. These criticisms in position papers frequently point to lower-quality studies and/or outdated studies. Additionally, concerns extend to comparing vegan and omnivorous diets, considering public health issues such as obesity and early stages of cardiovascular disease as well as the risk of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Notably, some scepticism stems from studies where children's adherence to a well-designed vegan diet is incomplete. Scientific rigor suggests performing a comparable assessment of omnivorous and vegan diets. This narrative review highlights the need for a comprehensive, up-to-date literature review to inform balanced perspectives on vegan diets for children and adolescents. Researchers and decision-makers should aim to actively improve the design and consistent implementation of both diet types.

Anti-Obesity Effect of a Tea Mixture Nano-Formulation on Rats Occurs via the Upregulation of AMP-Activated Protein Kinase/Sirtuin-1/Glucose Transporter Type 4 and Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Pathways

White, green, and oolong teas are produced from the tea plant (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) and are reported to have anti-obesity and hypolipidemic effects. The current study aims to investigate the anti-obesity effects of a tea mixture nano-formulation by targeting the AMPK/Sirt-1/GLUT-4 axis in rats. In vitro lipase and α-amylase inhibition assays were used to determine the active sample, which was then incorporated into a nanoparticle formulation subjected to in vivo anti-obesity testing in rats by measuring the expression level of different genes implicated in adipogenesis and inflammation using qRT-PCR. Moreover, metabolomic analysis was performed for each tea extract using LC/ESI MS/MS coupled to chemometrics in an attempt to find a correlation between the constituents of the extracts and their biological activity. The in vitro pancreatic lipase and α-amylase inhibition assays demonstrated more effective activity in the tea mixture than the standards, orlistat and acarbose, respectively, and each tea alone. Thus, the herbal tea mixture and its nanoparticle formulation were evaluated for their in vivo anti-obesity activity. Intriguingly, the tea mixture significantly decreased the serum levels of glucose and triglycerides and increased the mRNA expression of GLUT-4, P-AMPK, Sirt-1, and PPAR-γ, which induce lipolysis while also decreasing the mRNA expression of TNF-α and ADD1/SREBP-1c, thereby inhibiting the inflammation associated with obesity. Our study suggests that the tea mixture nano-formulation is a promising therapeutic agent in the treatment of obesity and may also be beneficial in other metabolic disorders by targeting the AMPK/Sirt-1/Glut-4 pathway.

Characterizing the Development of Research Landscapes in Substance Use and HIV/AIDS During 1990 to 2021

Mitigating the impacts of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and substance use requires comprehensive and systematic thinking in designing interventions and developing policies. This study describes the growth of research publications from 1991 to 2021 in the Web of Science database and points out current research landscapes in the fields of HIV/AIDS and substance use. Latent Dirichlet Allocation was used for classifying 21 359 papers into corresponding topics. The most common topics were HIV transmission, HIV infection, quality of life and mental health of substance users, and the biomedical effect of substance use. Emerging research landscapes include vulnerabilities of people who inject drugs to HIV transmission and related health problems. This study found a lack of research on health services, interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral in combination with clinical evaluation and treatment services. Future investment and implementation of HIV/AIDS and substance use programs should focus on research of health services and clinical evaluation, especially context-specific interventions.

Public Understanding of Childhood Obesity: Qualitative Analysis of News Articles and Comments on Facebook

Childhood obesity has become a major focus of public health and subject to increased news coverage. News can shape public understanding of childhood obesity by selective reporting (framing) which can affect policy support and weight stigma. As news is consumed on social media, comments on articles present a novel method to explore public understanding. This study examined how childhood obesity is framed by news articles on Facebook and how individuals commenting understand and react to these articles. This study used a qualitative research design. Facebook pages of 11 national UK news outlets were searched for news articles on childhood obesity published between May 2015 and May 2020. Of those, 30 articles were randomly selected. Framing analysis was used to determine whether childhood obesity was portrayed as a behavioral, societal or medical issue. Responding comments (N = 1,104) were grouped according to the dominant frame of the corresponding article and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Of the 30 articles, 28 mentioned societal, 26 behavioral and 18 medical aspects of childhood obesity, highlighting that most articles included more than one frame. Three themes were generated from responding comments: Culprits and Remedies, Appraising Childhood Obesity and Making Sense of the News Article. Findings showed that comments related to Appraising Childhood Obesity differed between differently framed articles, while the other themes did not. This study highlights the need for improved communication on childhood obesity to address weight stigma and improve understanding of news articles.

The interaction between MC4R gene variant (rs17782313) and dominant dietary patterns on depression in obese and overweight women: a cross sectional study

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have shown that the minor allele (C allele) for melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) rs17782313 may be associated with depressed mood. Moreover, dietary patterns have potentially adverse effects on depression. This study investigates the interactions between the MC4R gene variant (rs17782313) and dietary patterns on depression among Iranian obese and overweight women.

METHODS

A total of 289 Iranian overweight and obese women, aged 18-50 years, were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Biochemical, anthropometric, and body composition indices were assessed in all participants. Moreover, MC4R rs17782313, by the restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method, and depression, using the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) questionnaire, were assessed. Food intakes were assessed by completing a 147-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ).

RESULTS

By the use of factor analysis, 2 major dietary patterns were extracted: healthy dietary pattern (HDP) and unhealthy dietary pattern (UDP). Binary logistic analysis showed that individuals with minor allele risk (CC) with high adherence to the unhealthy pattern increased odds for depression (OR: 8.77, 95%CI: -0.86-18.40, P: 0.07), after controlling for confounders. Also, a logical inverse relationship was observed between CT genotype and HDP on depression in the crude and adjusted models (OR: -0.56, 95% CI: -3.69-2.57, P: 0.72) (OR: -4.17, 95% CI: -9.28-0.94, P: 0.11), although this interaction was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

According to the above findings, adherence to unhealthy food intake pattern increases odds of depression in MC4R risk allele (C allele) carriers. To confirm these findings, more studies are needed in the form of clinical trials and prospective studies with higher sample sizes.

Increasing Trends in Obesity-Related Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Romanian Children and Adolescents-Retrospective Study

Childhood obesity has become a global public health issue and its assessment is essential, as an obese child is a future overweight or obese adult. Obesity is no longer a matter of exercising more and eating less, with several factors coming into play and dictating the pattern of fat accumulation and the ease/difficulty of reducing it. In the current paper, we aimed to analyze the cardiovascular impact of obesity in a large number of patients alongside the paraclinical changes that occur due to weight gain, and to perform an analysis on the increase in prevalence throughout our research. The main cardiovascular conditions identified were hypertension (15.36%), septal or concentric hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (11.15%), atherosclerosis risk (13.04%), and hypercholesterolemia (20.94%). We have used echocardiography to measure the thickness of epicardial adipose tissue (useful for assessing the patient's cardiovascular risk), and we observed that it was greater in children with moderate and severe obesity alongside diastolic dysfunction of the left ventricle in the whole group, without any connection with hypertension or coronary impairment. Obese children will be affected by increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in adulthood and they may experience early cardiovascular dysfunction. We want to strongly underline the importance and necessity of programs for the early detection and prevention of obesity and its complications, especially since interesting phenomena such as the "obesity paradox" exist and prove that obesity is far less understood than it is at a first glance.

Public health interventions tackling childhood obesity at European level: A literature review

Childhood obesity pandemic, a form of malnutrition including undernutrition, and other food-regime associated risks, has universally been on the rise during the chronic period of the past 4-5 decades and is now acknowledged as one of the most "toxic fuel" accounting for poor health in the majority of countries. In order to find remedies to heal this alarming issue, a corpus of European interventions have been brought to light in the recent years. Since the vague influence and effectiveness of these measures / policies is to be further identified, their evaluation screening is underlined as a pivotal necessity. Within this framework this paper aims to critically report on the development and evaluation of the implementation of the European Union, World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, and European Union countries' national public health policy interventions and action plans in the fight against childhood obesity. Thus, this is a narrative review synthesizing the results -following a qualitative interpretation and analysis- of recent scientific epidemiological research and review studies evidence concerning European public health interventions tackling childhood obesity, through computer-assisted literature search -via PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar- scientific databases. According to the literature data, it is concluded that despite the unprecedented public health challenge of addressing childhood obesity, the extent to which related European policies and programs targeting healthy nutrition, increased physical activity, and healthy lifestyle ethos are truly efficacious is still under inquiry.

Assessment of Motor Abilities and Physical Fitness in Youth in the Context of Talent Identification-OSF Test

(1) Background: Physical fitness during childhood is an important indicator of current and future health status. Defining physical fitness levels is a key element of talent identification in the training of children and adolescents. It is also crucial in developing a sports career path. This study sought to validate a physical fitness test (OSF test) and to determine fitness norms for children and adolescents with a special focus on talent identification within its particular sub-tests of endurance, speed, strength and power. (2) Methods: A total of 27,187 athletes who participated in the 'Athletics for all' (AFA) programme were included in the analysis. Physical fitness was assessed using a validated OSF test (3 × 10 shuttle run, standing broad jump, 1 kg medicine ball overhead throw, 4-min run). (3) Results: Four key motor abilities (speed, power, strength and endurance) were assessed in children and adolescents. The OSF test was normalised, i.e., a reference frame in the form of centile charts was developed. (4) Conclusions: The centile charts developed for particular parts of the OSF test make it possible to interpret scores in particular motor sub-tests and, first and foremost, enable users to compare a given score with results obtained by their peers.

Family-based treatment of children with severe obesity in a public healthcare setting: Results from a randomized controlled trial

To compare the effectiveness of family-based behavioural social facilitation treatment (FBSFT) versus treatment as usual (TAU) in children with severe obesity. Parallel-design, nonblinded, randomized controlled trial conducted at a Norwegian obesity outpatient clinic. Children aged 6-18 years referred to the clinic between 2014 and 2018 were invited to participate. Participants were randomly allocated using sequentially numbered, opaqued, sealed envelopes. FBSFT (n = 59) entailed 17 sessions of structured cognitive behavioural treatment, TAU (n = 55) entailed standard lifestyle counselling sessions every third month for 1 year. Primary outcomes included changes in body mass index standard deviation score (BMI SDS) and percentage above the International Obesity Task Force cut-off for overweight (%IOTF-25). Secondary outcomes included changes in sleep, physical activity, and eating behaviour. From pre- to posttreatment there was a statistically significant difference in change in both BMI SDS (0.19 units, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.10-0.28, p < .001) and %IOTF-25 (5.48%, 95%CI: 2.74-8.22, p < .001) between FBSFT and TAU groups. FBSFT participants achieved significant reductions in mean BMI SDS (0.16 units, (95%CI: -0.22 to -0.10, p < .001) and %IOTF-25 (6.53%, 95% CI: -8.45 to -4.60, p < .001), whereas in TAU nonsignificant changes were observed in BMI SDS (0.03 units, 95% CI: -0.03 to 0.09, p = .30) and %IOTF-25 (-1.04%, 95% CI: -2.99 to -0.90, p = .29). More FBSFT participants (31.5%) had clinically meaningful BMI SDS reductions of ≥0.25 from pre- to posttreatment than in TAU (13.0%, p = .021). Regarding secondary outcomes, only changes in sleep timing differed significantly between groups. FBSFT improved weight-related outcomes compared to TAU.

A Systematic Review of the Effects of Physical Activity on Specific Academic Skills of School Students

This systematic review examined the effects of distinct physical activity interventions on the academic achievement of school students based on an analysis of four distinct outcomes: mathematics, language, reading, and composite scores. This study was performed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines and the QUORUM statement. A literature search was conducted using the PubMed-MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Peer-reviewed studies published in English, Portuguese, and Spanish were considered. A random-effect meta-analysis was employed to determine the effect of interventions on academic performance. The effects between interventions and control groups were expressed as standardized mean differences. Thirty-one studies were included in the meta-analysis based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The exercise programs were not capable of significantly improving language, reading skills, and composite scores. Conversely, performance in math tests increased significantly after the interventions compared with the control groups. Regarding the overall effect, a significant improvement in academic achievement was detected after physical activity programs compared with controls. In conclusion, the positive effects of school-based physical education on academic performance are not uniform and may be higher for math skills. The implementation of evidence-based exercise programs in school settings emerges as a promising strategy to increase overall academic achievement in school-aged students.

Placing a Well-Designed Vegan Diet for Slovenes

Interest in vegan diets has increased globally as well as in Slovenia. The quantity of new scientific data requires a thorough synthesis of new findings and considerations about the current reserved position of the vegan diet in Slovenia. There is frequently confusion about the benefits of vegetarian diets that are often uncritically passed on to vegan diets and vice versa. This narrative review aims to serve as a framework for a well-designed vegan diet. We present advice on how to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks associated with the vegan diet and lifestyle. We highlight the proper terminology, present the health effects of a vegan diet and emphasize the nutrients of concern. In addition, we provide guidance for implementing a well-designed vegan diet in daily life. We conducted a PubMed search, up to November 2021, for studies on key nutrients (proteins, vitamin B12, vitamin D, omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)), calcium, iron, zinc, iodine and selenium) in vegan diets. Given the limited amount of scientific evidence, we focus primarily on the general adult population. A well-designed vegan diet that includes a wide variety of plant foods and supplementation of vitamin B12, vitamin D in the winter months and potentially EPA/DHA is safe and nutritionally adequate. It has the potential to maintain and/or to improve health. For physically active adult populations, athletes or individuals with fast-paced lifestyles, there is room for further appropriate supplementation of a conventional vegan diet according to individuals' health status, needs and goals without compromising their health. A healthy vegan lifestyle, as included in government guidelines for a healthy lifestyle, includes regular physical activity, avoidance of smoking, restriction of alcohol and appropriate sleep hygiene.

Anthropometric Development in Children: Possible Changes in Body Mass, Basal Metabolic Rate and Inflammatory Status

(1) Background: Worldwide, public health policies focus on studying dietary patterns and the related anthropometric changes in children. Their aim is to improve the measures meant to reduce global malnutrition rates. Our goal was to study the main changes in the inflammatory status related to anthropometric changes and total daily energy intake. (2) Methods: We tested the study hypothesis by analyzing serum IL-6 and IL-8 levels, cholesterol and triglycerides values, as well as total proteins and creatinine levels, RMR, and food journals in a sample of 160 healthy subjects aged between 6 and 12 years old. (3) Results: IL-6 was correlated with the skinfold values. Changes in the skinfolds were significantly correlated with total proteins and triglycerides. Both weight for age and height for age were related to the skinfold values. Through the BMR measurements, peak carbohydrate metabolism changed significantly based upon IL-6 values, which were significantly correlated with the respiratory coefficient values. Based on the basal metabolic rate, an increased IL-8 ratio was related to the RQ value. (4) Conclusions: Skinfolds have been significantly correlated with IL-6 and IL-8 levels. With changes in body weight, we encountered differences in both serum cholesterol and serum triglycerides values, unlike total proteins and creatinine, which failed to change.

Urinary bisphenol A levels in prepubertal children with exogenous obesity according to presence of metabolic syndrome

OBJECTIVES

Recent studies have shown a potential link between chronic exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA) and exogenous obesity, the prevalence of which has been increasing dramatically in all age groups and particularly among children in the last decades. In this study, we aimed at comparing BPA exposure levels between controls and otherwise healthy, drug-naive, pre-pubertal children having exogenous obesity with/without metabolic syndrome.

METHODS

A total of 63 pre-pubertal children with exogenous obesity whom 27 of them having metabolic syndrome attending Hacettepe University Ihsan Dogramaci Children's Hospital were included in this study. The control group consisted of 34 age- and sex-matched healthy children with no significant underlying medical conditions. Urinary BPA levels were measured using LC-MS/MS (high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry) methodology.

RESULTS

Urinary BPA levels among obese children were significantly higher than those of the control group (median: 22.9 μg/g-creatinine and 6.9 μg/g-creatinine, respectively; p=0.0001). When adjusted with generalized linear models for age, gender and z scores of body mass index, obese children having metabolic syndrome had significantly higher urinary BPA levels than obese children without metabolic syndrome and both obese groups had considerably elevated levels of urinary BPA than the controls (estimated marginal mean ± standard error: 42.3 ± 7.4 μg/g-creatinine, 22.6 ± 3.5 μg/g-creatinine and 12.1 ± 2.5 μg/g-creatinine, respectively, p=0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows much higher BPA exposure among obese children with metabolic syndrome during the prepubertal period.

Psychological distress and internet-related behaviors between schoolchildren with and without overweight during the COVID-19 outbreak

OBJECTIVE

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and its resulting social policy changes may result in psychological distress among schoolchildren with overweight. This study thus aimed to (1) compare psychological distress (including fear of COVID-19 infection, stress, anxiety, and depression), perceived weight stigma, and problematic internet-related behaviors between schoolchildren with and without overweight; (2) assess whether perceived weight stigma and problematic internet-related behaviors explained psychological distress.

METHODS

Schoolchildren (n = 1357; mean age = 10.7 years) with overweight (n = 236) and without overweight (n = 1121) completed an online survey assessing their fear of COVID-19 infection, stress, anxiety, depression, perceived weight stigma, problematic smartphone application use, problematic social media use, and problematic gaming.

RESULTS

Schoolchildren with overweight had significantly higher levels of COVID-19 infection fear, stress, depression, perceived weight stigma, and problematic social media use than those without overweight. Regression models showed that perceived weight stigma and problematic internet-related behaviors were significant predictors of psychological distress among schoolchildren with overweight.

CONCLUSION

Strategies to manage perceived weight stigma and problematic internet-related behaviors may have a positive influence on mental health among schoolchildren with overweight under health-threatening circumstances, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Epidemiological Influences and Requirements of Global Childhood Obesity Research

INTRODUCTION

Obesity is classified as a global epidemic and judged to be the greatest public health threat in Western countries. The tremendously increasing prevalence rates in children lead to morbidity and mortality in adults. In many countries, prevalence has doubled since the 1980s. Other countries show a continuous increase or stagnate at a very high level. Given these regional differences, this study aims to draw a global world map of childhood obesity research, including regional epidemiological characteristics, to comprehensively assess research influences and needs.

METHODS

In addition to established bibliometric parameters, this study uses epidemiological data to interpret metadata on childhood obesity research from the Web of Science in combination with state-of-the-art visualization methods, such as density equalizing map projections.

RESULTS

It was not until the 1990s that belated recognition of the dangerous effects of childhood obesity led to an increase in the number of publications worldwide. In addition, our findings show that countries' study output does not correlate with epidemiologic rates of childhood obesity. In contrast, the primary driver of the research efforts on childhood obesity appears to be largely driven government funding structures.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

The geographical differences in the epidemiological background of childhood obesity complicate the implementation of transnational research projects and cross-border prevention programs. Effective realization requires a sound scientific basis, which is facilitated by globally valid approaches. Hence, there is a need for information exchange between researchers, policy makers, and private initiatives worldwide.

The Relationship between Obesity and Physical Activity of Children in the Spotlight of Their Parents' Excessive Body Weight

Background: The study reveals the relationships between daily physical activity (PA) and the prevalence of obesity in family members separated according to the participation of their offspring in organized leisure-time physical activity (OLTPA), and answers the question of whether the participation of children in OLTPA is associated with a lower prevalence of obesity in offspring with respect to parental PA and body weight level. Methods: The cross-sectional study included 1493 parent-child dyads (915/578 mother/father-child aged 4–16 years) from Czechia selected by two-stage stratified random sampling with complete data on body weight status and weekly PA gathered over a regular school week between 2013 and 2019. Results: The children who participated in OLTPA ≥ three times a week had a significantly lower (p < 0.005) prevalence of obesity than the children without participation in OLTPA (5.0% vs. 11.1%). Even in the case of overweight/obese mothers/fathers, the children with OLTPA ≥ three times a week had a significantly lower (p < 0.002) prevalence of obesity than the children without OLTPA (6.7%/4.2% vs. 14.9%/10.7%). Conclusions: The cumulative effect of regular participation in OLTPA and a child’s own PA is a stronger alleviator of children’s obesity than their parents’ risk of overweight/obesity.

Feasibility and reliability of the Spanish version of the Youth Activity Profile questionnaire (YAP-Spain) in children and adolescents

Considerable public health efforts across the globe have focused on promoting physical activity (PA) and minimizing sedentary behaviour (SB) in youths. However, it is important to have valid, reliable and feasible methods to assess these behaviours in youths. The purpose of this study was to analyse the feasibility and reliability of the Spanish version of the previously validated Youth Activity Profile questionnaire (YAP) in children and adolescents. The YAP-S is a 15-item self-report instrument designed to capture PA and SB in youths. A total of 604 children (5-12 years old) and 346 adolescents (12-17 years old) filled out the questionnaire twice (14 days apart). Feasibility was evaluated through required time and number of misunderstood questions by participants. The test-retest reliability was examined using the weighted kappa coefficient (κ) and intraclass correlation coefficient. The average time to complete the questionnaire was 28.85 ± 14.28 and 12.24 ± 9.84 minutes in children and adolescents, respectively. No misunderstanding of questions was reported. The questionnaire showed an adequate reliability for activity at school, out-of-school and sedentary behaviours (k = 0.61-0.77; ICC = 0.77-0.89) in children and adolescents. The YAP-S might be considered a feasible and reliable questionnaire for assessing PA and SB in Spanish children and adolescents.

Obesity in children and adolescents: An overview

Childhood obesity is an epidemic in the US. This article discusses the evolution, prevention, and associated physical and psychosocial consequences of and interventions for obesity in the pediatric population.

Path Analysis on Determinants of Childhood Obesity and Associated Risk Factors of Cardiovascular, Renal, and Hepatic Diseases: The CASPIAN-V Study

The interaction between several lifestyle and obesogenic environmental factors is considered as the main underlying factor for the escalating trend of childhood obesity and its adverse consequences. In this study, we assessed the mutual influence of lifestyle habits and body mass index (BMI) as well as risk factors for cardiometabolic, hepatic, and renal disorders to define the causality power of each item. This nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted as the fifth round of a school-based surveillance program. Overall, 14,800 students living in Iran were studied, and blood samples were obtained from 4,200 of them. Demographic factors, anthropometric and biochemical measures were used to define lifestyle-related latent variables as well as cardiac, renal, and hepatic risk indicators. Total, direct, and indirect effects between factors were analyzed using the standardized regression weights for each pathway. Data from 14,274 students (participation rate of 99%) and 3,843 blood samples were included. All of the latent variables had a significant direct effect on BMI, with the most potent effect of unhealthy nutrition (β ≅ 0.63) in boys and girls. BMI has significant direct effects on risk indicators of cardiovascular, renal, and hepatic diseases with the most powerful effect on cardiovascular risk factors (β ≅  − 0.08). The most important predisposing factor for obesity was unhealthy nutrition, whereas increased activity, adequate sleep, and better hygiene had protective roles. BMI shows the strongest association with indicator of cardiovascular diseases. These findings underscore the importance of implementing public health programs for the prevention of chronic noncommunicable diseases.

The influence of socioeconomic status and age on the prevalence of overweight and obesity among 5 to 10-year-old children in Curitiba, Brazil

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of the socioeconomic status (SES) and age on the prevalence of overweight and obesity among 5 to 10-year-old children from Brazil.

METHODS

The sample consisted of 80 782 (41 063 boys) students aged 5 to 10-year-old. Height and weight were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. SES was self-reported by parents when registering for school in the same year as the assessment.

RESULTS

An increasing trend in the prevalence of obesity, for boys and girls, and overweight, for girls, as they got older was observed. The prevalence of obesity was greater among medium SES boys, 18.1% (95% CI: 17.7, 18.6), and girls, 18.1% (95% CI: 17.7, 18.6), compared with low SES. For each year boys and girls get older their odds of being underweight, overweight and obese increase. Medium and high SES boys were 23% (95% CI: 1.14, 1.32) and 25% (95%CI: 1.03, 1.52) more likely to be obese than low SES boys. Girls with high SES were 20% (OR = 1.20; 95% CI: 1.10, 1.31) more likely of being obese than girls with low SES. Furthermore, age and being in the medium SES for both sexes and in the high SES for boys was positively related to the BMI z-score.

CONCLUSION

Both age and SES were factors associated with obesity among Brazilian children. For public health policies to be effective, it is necessary to understand why higher SES children and older children have higher risk and prevalence of obesity and overweight.

The Role of Prenatal Melatonin in the Regulation of Childhood Obesity

There is a growing awareness that pregnancy can set the foundations for an array of diverse medical conditions in the offspring, including obesity. A wide assortment of factors, including genetic, epigenetic, lifestyle, and diet can influence foetal outcomes. This article reviews the role of melatonin in the prenatal modulation of offspring obesity. A growing number of studies show that many prenatal risk factors for poor foetal metabolic outcomes, including gestational diabetes and night-shift work, are associated with a decrease in pineal gland-derived melatonin and associated alterations in the circadian rhythm. An important aspect of circadian melatonin’s effects is mediated via the circadian gene, BMAL1, including in the regulation of mitochondrial metabolism and the mitochondrial melatoninergic pathway. Alterations in the regulation of mitochondrial metabolic shifts between glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation in immune and glia cells seem crucial to a host of human medical conditions, including in the development of obesity and the association of obesity with the risk of other medical conditions. The gut microbiome is another important hub in the pathoetiology and pathophysiology of many medical conditions, with negative consequences mediated by a decrease in the short-chain fatty acid, butyrate. The effects of butyrate are partly mediated via an increase in the melatoninergic pathway, indicating interactions of the gut microbiome with melatonin. Some of the effects of melatonin seem mediated via the alpha 7 nicotinic receptor, whilst both melatonin and butyrate may regulate obesity through the opioidergic system. Oxytocin, a recently recognized inhibitor of obesity, may also be acting via the opioidergic system. The early developmental regulation of these processes and factors by melatonin are crucial to the development of obesity and many diverse comorbidities.

Global Research on Quality of Life of Patients with HIV/AIDS: Is It Socio-Culturally Addressed? (GAPRESEARCH)

Quality of life (QOL) has been considered as an important outcome indicator in holistic care for HIV-infected people, especially as HIV/AIDS transforms from a fatal illness to a chronic condition. This study aimed to identify trends and emerging topics among research concerning the QOL of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). The analyzed data were English papers published from 1996 to 2017, searched and extracted from the Web of Science Core Collection. Collaborations between countries and the correlation between the keywords were visualized by VOSviewer while the abstracts’ content was analyzed using exploratory factor analysis and Jaccard’s’ similarity index. There has been an increase in both the number of publications and citations. The United Nations of America leads in terms of paper volume. The cross-nation collaborations are mainly regional. Despite a rather comprehensive coverage of topics relating to QOL in PLWHA, there has evidently been a lack of studies focusing on socio-cultural factors and their impacts on the QOL of those who are HIV-infected. Further studies should consider investigating the role of socio-cultural factors, especially where long-term treatment is involved. Policy-level decisions are recommended to be made based on the consideration of cultural factors, while collaborations between developed and developing nations, in particular in HIV/AIDS-ridden countries, are strongly recommended.

Endurance Training vs. Circuit Resistance Training: Effects on Lipid Profile and Anthropometric/Body Composition Status in Healthy Young Adult Women

Background: Endurance training (ET) and resistance training (RT) are known to be effective in improving anthropometric/body composition and lipid panel indicators, but there is an evident lack of studies on differential effects of these two forms of physical exercise (PE). This study aimed to evaluate the differential effects of 8-week ET and RT among young adult women. Methods: Participants were women (n = 57; age: 23 ± 3 years; initial body height: 165 ± 6 cm; body mass: 66.79 ± 7.23 kg; BMI: 24.37 ± 2.57 kg/m²) divided into the ET group (n = 20), RT group (n = 19), and non-exercising control group (n = 18). All participants were tested for cardiovascular risk factors (CRF), including total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides, glucose, and anthropometric/body composition (body mass, body mass index, skinfold measures, body fat %) at the beginning and at the end of the study. Over the 8 weeks, the ET group trained three times/week on a treadmill while the RT group participated in equal number of circuit weight training sessions. Both types of training were planned according to participants’ pre-study fitness status. Results: A two-factor analysis of variance for repeated measurements (“group” × “measurement”) revealed significant main effects for “measurement” in CRF. The “group × measurement” interaction was significant for CRF. The post-hoc analysis indicated significant improvements in CRF for RT and ET. No significant differential effects between RT and ET were evidenced. Conclusions: The results of this study evidence improvements of CRF in young adult women as a result of 8-week ET and RT. The lack of differential training-effects may be attributed to the fact that all participants underwent pre-study screening of their fitness status, which resulted in application of accurate training loads.

Characterizing Obesity Interventions and Treatment for Children and Youths During 1991-2018

Overweight and obesity have become a serious health problem globally due to its significant role in increased morbidity and mortality. The treatments for this health issue are various such as lifestyle modifications, pharmacological therapies, and surgery. However, little is known about the productivity, workflow, topics, and landscape research of all the papers mentioning the intervention and treatment for children with obesity. A total of 20,925 publications from the Web of Science database mentioning interventions and treatment in reducing the burden of childhood overweight and obesity on physical health, mental health, and society published in the period from 1991 to 2018 were in the analysis. We used Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) for identifying the topics and a dendrogram for research disciplines. We found that the number of papers related to multilevel interventions such as family-based, school-based, and community-based is increasing. The number of papers mentioning interventions aimed at children and adolescents with overweight or obesity is not high in poor-resource settings or countries compared to the growth in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among youth due to cultural concepts or nutrition transition. Therefore, there is a need for support from developed countries to control the rising rates of overweight and obesity.

Body Dissatisfaction in Adolescents: Differences by Sex, BMI and Type and Organisation of Physical Activity

The aim of this study was to assess the differences in body dissatisfaction (BD) of male and female adolescents by body max index (BMI) and the quantity, type and organisation of physical activity (PA). To do so, 652 adolescents aged 12-17 years participated in a cross-sectional study. The cognitive-affective component of BD was assessed with the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) and the perceptual component with Gardner's scale for the assessment of, body image (BI). PA was measured with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF) and the item 1 from the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A). The results show that sex and BMI are key variables when determining BD. Moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) was moderately associated with a greater body satisfaction in males but no association was found between BD and the participation and organisation of PA. Moreover, the results suggest that participants in aesthetic/lean PA are at a higher risk of suffering from BD than participants in other PA types. These findings provide useful information for the design of programmes promoting healthy lifestyles, weight control and BI concern during the school period.