scholarly journals The Role of Chronic Physical Activity in Alleviating the Detrimental Relationship of Childhood Obesity on Brain and Cognition

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shu-Shih Hsieh ◽  
Lauren B. Raine ◽  
Francisco B. Ortega ◽  
Charles H. Hillman
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Motor Coordination ◽  
Functional Brain Imaging ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Excess Adiposity ◽  
Relationship Of

Abstract Childhood obesity and its negative relation with children’s brain health has become a growing health concern. Over the last decade, literature has indicated that physical activity attenuates cognitive impairment associated with obesity and excess adiposity in children. However, there is no comprehensive review that considers the extent to which these factors affect different domains of cognition. This narrative review comprehensively summarizes behavioral, neuroimaging, and neuroelectric findings associated with chronic physical activity and fitness on brain and cognition in childhood obesity. Based on the literature reviewed, increased adiposity has a demonstrated relationship with neurocognitive health via mechanisms triggered by central inflammation and insulin resistance, with the most pronounced decrements observed for cognitive domains that are prefrontal- and hippocampal-dependent. Fortunately, physical activity, especially interventions enhancing aerobic fitness and motor coordination, have demonstrated efficacy for attenuating the negative effects of obesity across different subdomains of structural and functional brain imaging, cognition, and multiple academic outcomes in children with overweight or obesity. Such mitigating effects may be accounted for by attenuated central inflammation, improved insulin sensitivity, and increased expression of neurotrophic factors. Lastly, individual differences appear to play a role in this relationship, as the manipulation of physical activity characteristics, the employment of a wide array of cognitive and academic measures, the inclusion of different adiposity measures that are sensitive to neurocognitive function, and the utilization of an inter-disciplinary approach have been found to influence the relationship between physical activity and excess adiposity on brain and cognition.

Stress and Health Outcomes: Do Meaningful Work and Physical Activity Help?

2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 251-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne H. Lease ◽  
Christina L. Ingram ◽  
Emily L. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Risk Behaviors ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Meaningful Work ◽  
Health Risk Behaviors ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Stress And Health

The negative effects of stress and burnout on mental and physical health are widely known, as are the beneficial effects of physical activity. While the organizational literature emphasizes the value of meaningful work for employers and employees alike, the stress-buffering role of meaningful work in combination with physical activity is not known. The present study examined the (a) mediating role of burnout in the relationships between perceived stress and health risk behaviors (i.e., poor diet, tobacco use, and alcohol use) and depressive symptoms and (b) moderating roles of meaningful work and physical activity on the relationships between perceived stress and health outcomes. Participants were 229 employed adults. Perceived stress predicted physical health risk behaviors and depressive symptoms, but the direct and indirect negative effects of stress were stronger when meaningful work scores were lower. Findings offer support for the development of interventions that include enhancing work meaningfulness.

scholarly journals Regular Physical Activity and Risk of Venous Thromboembolism

2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (08) ◽  
pp. 765-779 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sigrid Brækkan ◽  
John-Bjarne Hansen ◽  
Line Evensen
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Operational Definition ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Dependent Manner

AbstractVenous thromboembolism (VTE) is a complex multifactorial disease that represents a growing public health concern. Identification of modifiable risk factors at the population level may provide a measure to reduce the burden of VTE. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of the role of physical activity on the risk of VTE and VTE-related complications. We also discuss methodological challenges related to research on physical activity, and put forward plausible mechanisms for an association between physical activity and VTE. Up to now, published studies have reported diverging results on the relationship between physical activity and VTE, and a complex picture has emerged. However, the available evidence appears to be balanced toward a small beneficial effect of physical activity on the risk of incident VTE, but not in a dose-dependent manner. Still, the lack of an operational definition and standardized assessment method for physical activity, as well as several sources of bias, impairs the interpretation of the available literature. Additional work is necessary to understand the role and how to apply physical activity in the VTE setting. Future research should utilize objective assessment strategies of physical activity and physical fitness, account for the fluctuating nature in habitual activity levels, and explore the role of physical activity in the areas of secondary prevention and VTE-related complications.

scholarly journals Paediatric obesity and brain functioning: The role of physical activity—A novel and important expert opinion of the European Childhood Obesity Group

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Esteban‐Cornejo ◽  
John Reilly ◽  
Francisco B. Ortega ◽  
Pawel Matusik ◽  
Artur Mazur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Expert Opinion ◽  
Brain Functioning ◽  
Paediatric Obesity

scholarly journals A Discussion of the Role of Frontoparietal Activity in Cognition

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 1708-1714 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Hon
Keyword(s):  
Brain Imaging ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Functional Brain Imaging ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
General Role ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Functional Brain

A consistently observed pattern in the functional brain imaging literature is that of joint frontal and parietal activation.  Because this pattern of activation has been observed under many different experimental conditions and when different cognitive domains have been tested, it is likely that frontoparietal activity plays a very general role in cognition.  This article considers one such possible role – the representation of behaviourally relevant information.

scholarly journals Management of Childhood Obesity—Time to Shift from Generalized to Personalized Intervention Strategies

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1200
Author(s):  
Mohamad Motevalli ◽  
Clemens Drenowatz ◽  
Derrick R. Tanous ◽  
Naim Akhtar Khan ◽  
Katharina Wirnitzer
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Intervention Strategy ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Intervention Strategies ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Excess Body Weight ◽  
Personalized Intervention

As a major public health concern, childhood obesity is a multifaceted and multilevel metabolic disorder influenced by genetic and behavioral aspects. While genetic risk factors contribute to and interact with the onset and development of excess body weight, available evidence indicates that several modifiable obesogenic behaviors play a crucial role in the etiology of childhood obesity. Although a variety of systematic reviews and meta-analyses have reported the effectiveness of several interventions in community-based, school-based, and home-based programs regarding childhood obesity, the prevalence of children with excess body weight remains high. Additionally, researchers and pediatric clinicians are often encountering several challenges and the characteristics of an optimal weight management strategy remain controversial. Strategies involving a combination of physical activity, nutritional, and educational interventions are likely to yield better outcomes compared to single-component strategies but various prohibitory limitations have been reported in practice. This review seeks to (i) provide a brief overview of the current preventative and therapeutic approaches towards childhood obesity, (ii) discuss the complexity and limitations of research in the childhood obesity area, and (iii) suggest an Etiology-Based Personalized Intervention Strategy Targeting Childhood Obesity (EPISTCO). This purposeful approach includes prioritized nutritional, educational, behavioral, and physical activity intervention strategies directly based on the etiology of obesity and interpretation of individual characteristics.

scholarly journals IMPACT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OF PRESCHOOL CHILDREN ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS: THEORETICAL REVIEW OF STUDIES

2020 ◽  
pp. 214-238
Author(s):  
Alla A. Tvardovskaya ◽  
Valerian F. Gabdulkhakov ◽  
Natalya N. Novik ◽  
Almira M. Garifullina
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Preschool Children ◽  
Research Problem ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Main Components ◽  
Regulatory Functions ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Positive Effect

Relevance. The increase of children interest in entertainment TV programs, mobile applications and video games available on the internet causes a significant decrease in their physical activity: children get used to a sedentary or lying down lifestyle. The research problem lies in the contradiction that arises due to understanding of the positive effect of physical activity on the development of the regulatory functions of a preschooler, and a significant decrease in this activity in the digital conditions of the modern educational environment. The relevance and prospects of the study of the relationship between regulatory functions and physical activity of preschool children in new digital environment are not yet fully realized. The objective of the paper is to review the studies by foreign scientists in order to identify and describe relevant indicators of physical activity in preschool children interrelated with the main components of regulatory functions (inhibitory control, working memory, cognitive flexibility). Method. A theoretical review of research papers published over the past ten years (2010–2020) on the subject of relationship of various physical activity indicators and regulatory functions in preschool children. Results. The paper provides a comparative analysis of studies conducted by foreign authors. It allows to reveal basic indicators of physical activity in children which are essential for the development of regulatory functions (sufficiency of physical activity; age-related appropriateness; the nature of physical activity; the form of physical activity arrangement), and particular indicators (the relationship of physical activity and regulatory functions in various sports, duration and intensity of physical activity, the availability of software for the development of physical activity in preschool children) as well. Conclusions. The review showed that the majority of the authors emphasized the significant role of basic physical activity indicators and their influence on regulatory functions. Aerobic exercises are the most effective in the development of regulatory functions in preschool children. Particular indicators are selected from the studies of the development of regulatory functions in specific sports (football, karate, yoga, mini-trampoline), and additional research on the duration and intensity of physical activity is needed.

scholarly journals Air pollution and childhood obesity

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (10) ◽  
pp. 382-388
Author(s):  
Moon Young Seo ◽  
Shin-Hye Kim ◽  
Mi Jung Park
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Epidemiologic Studies ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Postnatal Exposure

Childhood obesity is a global health concern. Air pollution is also a crucial health threat, especially in developing countries. Over the past decade, a number of epidemiologic and animal studies have suggested a possible role of pre- or postnatal exposure to air pollutants on childhood obesity. Although no clear mechanism has been elucidated, physical inactivity, oxidative stress, and epigenetic modifications have been suggested as possible mechanisms by which obesity develops due to air pollution. In this review, we summarize and review previous epidemiologic studies linking air pollution and childhood obesity and discuss the possible mechanisms underlying air pollution-induced obesity based on in vivo and in vitro evidence.

Developing the capacity of general practice staff to support healthier weight status in children

2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. bjgp18X697037
Author(s):  
Raheelah Ahmad ◽  
Vida Cunningham ◽  
Bimpe Oki ◽  
Fiona Sim
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
General Practice ◽  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Capacity Building ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Care Pathway ◽  
Overweight Child ◽  
Healthy Weight

BackgroundLambeth has implemented a healthy weight care pathway including capacity building of multi-agency staff. Successes include being the only borough in the country to see statistical reductions in childhood obesity over 5 years; but the challenge of 39.2% of 10–11-year olds leaving primary school as overweight/obese persists. When families approach GPs to validate the National Child Measurement Programme feedback, challenges include interpretation and explanation of body mass index (BMI). GPs have also felt uncomfortable raising the issue in routine consultations.AimTo understand potential enablers to raising the issue of unhealthy weight in children in general practice.Method70 staff (GPs 58%; Nurses 25%; GP registrar/trainee 7%; and HCA/other 10%) completed a bespoke childhood obesity capacity building workshop (accredited by the Royal College of GPs). Using scenario-based activities and end of session written questionnaire we gathered: knowledge and perceptions of weight measures, role of diet, nutrition and physical activity, as well as current blocks and potential enablers for brief intervention.ResultsLess than 5% of participants were able to identify a very overweight child by visual inspection. Confidence in raising the issue was reported due to enhanced knowledge of energy intake, physical activity and provision of a BMI wheel (40%), new ways of raising the issue (30%), understanding of supportive services in Lambeth (30%).ConclusionSupportive measures identified within a whole systems approach including role of schools, government, public health and the CCG are informing future planning.

Physical activity and abdominal obesity in youth

2009 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 571-581 ◽  
Author(s):  
YoonMyung Kim ◽  
SoJung Lee
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Abdominal Obesity ◽  
Visceral Fat ◽  
Regular Physical Activity ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver ◽  
Randomized Controlled Studies ◽  
Age Related

Childhood obesity continues to escalate despite considerable efforts to reverse the current trends. Childhood obesity is a leading public health concern because overweight–obese youth suffer from comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease, conditions once considered limited to adults. This increasing prevalence of chronic health conditions in youth closely parallels the dramatic increase in obesity, in particular abdominal adiposity, in youth. Although mounting evidence in adults demonstrates the benefits of regular physical activity as a treatment strategy for abdominal obesity, the independent role of regular physical activity alone (e.g., without calorie restriction) on abdominal obesity, and in particular visceral fat, is largely unclear in youth. There is some evidence to suggest that, independent of sedentary activity levels (e.g., television watching or playing video games), engaging in higher-intensity physical activity is associated with a lower waist circumference and less visceral fat. Several randomized controlled studies have shown that aerobic types of exercise are protective against age-related increases in visceral adiposity in growing children and adolescents. However, evidence regarding the effect of resistance training alone as a strategy for the treatment of abdominal obesity is lacking and warrants further investigation.

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