Breakfast Skipping Is an Independent Predictor of Obesity but not Overweight Among Children in a Southeastern European Population

2016 ◽  
Vol 86 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 242-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Genc Burazeri ◽  
Jolanda Hyska ◽  
Iris Mone ◽  
Enver Roshi

Abstract.Aim: To assess the association of breakfast skipping with overweight and obesity among children in Albania, a post-communist country in the Western Balkans, which is undergoing a long and difficult political and socioeconomic transition towards a market-oriented economy. Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional study was carried out in Albania in 2013 including a representative sample of 5810 children aged 7.0 – 9.9 years (49.5% girls aged 8.4 ± 0.6 years and 51.5% boys aged 8.5 ± 0.6 years; overall response rate: 97%). Children were measured for height and weight, and body mass index (BMI) calculated. Cut-off BMI values of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) were used to define overweight and obesity in children. Demographic data were also collected. Results: Upon adjustment for age, sex, and place of residence, breakfast skipping was positively related to obesity (WHO criteria: OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.3–1.9; IOTF criteria: OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.4–2.5), but not overweight (OR = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.9–1.3 and OR = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.9–1.4, respectively). Furthermore, breakfast skipping was associated with a higher BMI (multivariable-adjusted OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.02–1.07). Conclusions: Our findings point to a strong and consistent positive relationship between breakfast skipping and obesity, but not overweight, among children in this transitional southeastern European population. Future studies in Albania and other transitional settings should prospectively examine the causal role of breakfast skipping in the development of overweight and obesity.

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 341
Author(s):  
Marcella Evangelista Melo ◽  
Giovanna Lima Miguéis ◽  
Mikaela Silva Almeida ◽  
Tatiane Dalamaria ◽  
Wagner De Jesus Pinto ◽  
...  

Introduction: In the diagnosis of overweight and obesity based on body mass index in children and adolescents, several national and international anthropometric references are recommended. However, there is a divergence in the estimated prevalence of overweight and obesity among the references. Objective: To identify the prevalence of overweight and obesity and to analyse the magnitude of agreement among the three references. Methods: A cross-sectional study with 975 students from the early grades of elementary school. The prevalence of overweight and obesity were estimated according to the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) and Conde and Monteiro. The Kappa weighted index was calculated to assess the agreement magnitude among the three references. Results: The highest prevalence of overweight and obesity was estimated by the Conde and Monteiro and WHO references, respectively. Overall, the IOTF revealed lower a magnitude of prevalence than the two other references. The agreement among the references identified by the Kappa index had a range of 0.66 to 0.94. Conclusion: Despite the satisfactory agreement among the three references, this research highlighted the differing magnitudes of the prevalence of overweight and obesity. This fact limits the ability to make comparisons among populations and impairs the development of overweight and obesity prevention actions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Predrag Bozic ◽  
Visnja Djordjic ◽  
Lidija Markovic ◽  
Dragan Cvejic ◽  
Nebojsa Trajkovic ◽  
...  

The purpose of the present cross-sectional study was to examine dietary patterns and the prevalence of underweight, overweight, and obesity among Serbian children. Furthermore, the study analyzed the association between dietary patterns and weight status. A nationally representative sample of 6–9-year-old children (n = 3,067) was evaluated as part of the Fifth Round World Health Organization European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative. The children's height and weight were measured by trained field examiners, while their parents or guardians filled paper versions of the food frequency questionnaire to collect information related to the child's breakfast habits and food and beverage intake. According to the International Obesity Task Force cut-off points, the overall prevalence of overweight (including obesity) and underweight were 28.9 and 8.1%, respectively. The majority of parents reported that their children (84.5%) had breakfast every day, while only 39.5 and 37% of children had daily fruit and vegetable consumption, respectively. The children who do not eat breakfast every day are more likely to be obese (OR = 1.50), while a higher intake frequency of nutrient-poor beverages such as soft drinks increases the risk of being not only overweight (OR = 1.32) but also underweight (OR = 1.39). Regular monitoring and understanding of dietary patterns and weight status is crucial to inform, design, and implement strategies to reduce national and global diet and obesity-related diseases. Urgent actions need to be taken from public policymakers to stop and reverse the increasing trend of overweight (including obesity) among Serbian children.


Author(s):  
Mojgan Amiri ◽  
Nastaran Ahmadi ◽  
Mohammad Reza Mohammadi ◽  
Seyed Ali Mostafavi ◽  
Mahla Zahedifard ◽  
...  

Background: Childhood/adolescence under- and over-nutrition are among the major public concerns worldwide. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of underweight, overweight, and obesity among children living in Yazd, Iran using different criteria. Methods: This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among children and adolescents aged 6-18 years. Body weight, height, waist, and hip circumference were measured. Furthermore, the body mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio were calculated. Afterwards, BMI was classified according to four criteria including the US center for disease control and prevention (CDC), world health organization (WHO), the international obesity task force (IOTF), and Iranian national cut-points. Results: The mean age of the included children was 11.32 ± 3.89 years. Overall, the highest rate of underweight was estimated by IOTF %16.9 and the lowest rate was estimated by the national criteria %1.2. Furthermore, the highest and the lowest rates for overweight were obtained by CDC2000 %19.0 and WHO criteria %12.2, respectively. The highest and lowest rates for obesity were obtained by the national %22.3 and the CDC2000 criteria %11.3, respectively. The selected criteria were significantly different in estimating underweight, overweight, and obesity (P < 0.05). Conclusions: All the mentioned criteria showed high rate of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents in Yazd. Furthermore, the highest rate of obesity was detected by national criteria. The national distribution of BMI in Iranian children is skewed to overweight and obesity.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. e0244300
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Dereń ◽  
Justyna Wyszyńska ◽  
Serhiy Nyankovskyy ◽  
Olena Nyankovska ◽  
Marta Yatsula ◽  
...  

Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health problems. The prevalence of obesity among children is increasing and may negatively affect their immediate health, but it can also lead to obesity in adulthood. The aim of the study was to compare BMI cut-off points by examining three main international references: the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Task Force Obesity (IOTF) and the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Ultimately, the study group consisted of 18,144 children and adolescents aged 6.5–17.5 years. Body mass was measured on medical scales with an accuracy of ± 100 g and height measurement was taken using a height meter with an accuracy of ± 0.1 cm three times. Underweight, overweight and obesity were calculated according to WHO, IOTF and CDC BMI international references. There were differences in the incidence of underweight between the classifications: 16.8% according to IATF, 5.3% according to WHO and 9.9% according to CDC. There were also differences in the incidence of overweight and obesity between the classifications: 13% according to IOTF, 19.7% according to WHO and 14.1% according to CDC. In the CDC and WHO studies, a significantly higher prevalence of childhood obesity (4.0% and 4.7%, respectively) was observed compared with IOTF (2.1%). The prevalence of overweight and obesity in this study was higher among boys compared to girls. However, estimates of prevalence of overweight and obesity differ in methods and reference cut-off points. Higher prevalence was obtained in IOTF classification, followed by the WHO and CDC classification.


Author(s):  
Jakob Tarp ◽  
Juel Jarani ◽  
Florian Muca ◽  
Andi Spahi ◽  
Anders Grøntved

Abstract Background The extent of the obesity epidemic among youth is an important public health statistic which provides an indication of the future burden of non-communicable diseases. Many developing countries, including Albania, do not have systematic and repeated monitoring systems in operation. Methods The Balkan Survey of Inactivity in Children study is a population-based cross-sectional survey including Albanian children living in the four Balkan nation-states of Albania, Kosovo, FYR Macedonia and Montenegro. In total, 19,850 children from 49 schools were approached. The LMS method was used to provide body mass index (BMI), height, weight and waist circumference reference centiles for boys and girls. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) age- and sex-specific BMI cut-points were applied to evaluate adiposity levels. Results A sample of 18,460 participants aged 6–16 years old was available for creation of the BMI for age and sex reference centiles. The prevalence of overweight (including obesity) in the full sample was 21% (95% CI: 20%–21%) according to IOTF cut-off points and 28% (95% CI: 28%–29%) at WHO cut-off points. Overweight/obesity levels where higher in boys than in girls irrespective of the cut-off points applied (p<0.001). Noticeable between-country differences were observed with a prevalence of overweight/obesity of 40% (95% CI: 38%–42%) in Montenegro but only 20% (95% CI: 19%–21%) in Kosovo (WHO cut-off points). Conclusions Overweight/obesity is highly prevalent in Albanian children and adolescents. The apparent sex and country differences may inform public health actions.


Author(s):  
Ashok Kumar Das ◽  
Sumanjit S. Boro ◽  
Anupam Das ◽  
Partha Pratim Medhi ◽  
Kaberi Kakati ◽  
...  

Background: Telemedicine is a very useful tool of communication between the doctor and the patient. The aim of this study was to find out the utility of telemedicine during the lockdown period of COVID-19 pandemic in North East India.Methods: It is a cross sectional study among the cancer patients at our center on follow up or ongoing treatment and analysis of all the data acquired from telephonic conversation with our patients from 30th March, 2020 to 3rd May, 2020. Have contacted 4181 patients during this period over phone. All phone calls were done by respective department doctors.Results: From the demographic data, we get that 35.4% of patients were at good physical condition, 3.5% with poor general condition, 11.6% patients having ongoing treatment in our institute, 21.1% patients expired, 0.9% patients have nonmalignant diagnosis, 1.4% patients left the institute due to various reasons. Analyzed this data with brain storming sessions amongst the COVID-19 task force doctors and tried to find out solutions of each problem.Conclusions: Telemedicine cannot replace conventional method of in person treatment, but it proved to be a useful tool during the COVID-19 pandemic for patient follow up and treatment of cancer patients.


Author(s):  
Ruchita Dixit ◽  
Aaradhana Bandhani

Background: Family planning is defined by World Health Organization (WHO) as, “a way of thinking and living that is adopted voluntarily, upon the basis of knowledge, attitudes and responsible decisions by individuals and couples, in order to promote the health and welfare of family groups and thus contribute effectively to the social development of a country”. The extensive acceptance of family planning, in a society, is an integral component of modern development and is essential for the incorporation of women into social and economic life. Therefore the present study as well focused on the women knowledge and participation in family planning. Objectives: This study projected to evaluate the knowledge of the women about various family planning methods and its sources of information.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 200 married women between 15-60 years of age group selected by multistage random sampling. The women were asked to complete the 20 questions including demographic data. Self structured questionnaire was used to evaluate their knowledge about Family planning methods. Subsequently, the data analyzed by using SPSS version 1.2.Results: In this present study knowledge of family planning methods were higher. Female sterilization and use of condom is the most widely known and practiced method of all contraceptive methods followed by oral Pills and IUDs. Health functionaries were found to the more informative as compared to media and others sources of information regarding family planning methods.Conclusions: From the results found in this study it can be accomplish that women’s awareness regarding family planning was higher and found satisfactory.


2014 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 188-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marjeta Kovač ◽  
Gregor Jurak ◽  
Lijana Zaletel Kragelj ◽  
Bojan Leskošek

Abstract Background: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children has increased dramatically in recent decades. The survey examined overweight and obesity in the population of boys and girls from Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, aged seven through fourteen from 1991 to 2011. Methods: An annually repeated cross-sectional study of data from the national SLOFIT monitoring system was used. The body mass index cut-off points of the International Obesity Task Force were used to identify the prevalence of overweight and obesity. Multinomial logistic regression was used for modelling the probability of overweight and obesity as a function of time (year of measurement), sex and age of subjects. Results: In 1991-2011 period, the odds for overweight and obesity among primary school children (n = 376,719) increased every year by 1.7% (95% CI: 1.6-1.9) and 3.7% (3.4-4%) respectively. Boys have 1.17 (95% CI: 1.15-1.20) times higher odds of becoming overweight and 1.39 (95% CI: 1.35-1.44) times higher odds of becoming obese than girls. In comparison to the reference group (age of 14), the highest odds for overweight were found at the ages of nine and ten (1.39; 95% CI: 1.34-1.44), while for the obesity the highest odds were at the age of eight (2.01; 95% CI: 1.86-2.16). Conclusion: From 1991 to 2011, overweight and obesity clearly became more prevalent in children from Ljubljana. This trend has been more obvious among boys than girls. In comparison to 14-year-old boys and girls, the highest odds for excessive weight were found below the age of 10.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Justine Parnis ◽  
Neville Calleja ◽  
Petra Jones

AbstractThe World Health Organisation (2016) recommends exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months of age and the introduction of complementary foods at around 6 months. International literature suggests that although knowledge of the guidelines is high, only a minority of parents wait until 6 months to wean and sub-optimal weaning practices are common. The aim of this study was to assess breastfeeding and weaning practices and to evaluate the effect of socio-economic determinants on such behaviours in a Mediterranean setting.A cross-sectional study design was used. One-time short interviews with 250 consenting mothers having 8 month old infants were conducted using a structured questionnaire. Mothers attending all the well baby clinics in the primary health care centres of the Maltese Islands for a period of two months were included in the study. The questionnaire included socio-economic and demographic data, details on the initiation and duration of breastfeeding, weaning practices and a short assessment of the infant's usual diet at 8 months.Mothers between 25–34 years old (26%) and mothers with a high level of education (25%) were more likely to breastfeed only during the first 8 months of life without using any other type of milk, compared to younger (6.5%) or older (21%) mothers, and to mothers with a lower level of education (16%). The level of education was also positively associated with the continuation of breastfeeding, with the mean duration of breastfeeding for higher educated mothers being 4 months compared to 2.6 months in less educated mothers. Mothers with a lower level of education and mothers who are house-wives are more likely to give their infants only ready-made foods however associations were in this case borderline significant. On the other hand, appropriateness of weaning age was not associated with any socio-economic factors.The length of breastfeeding and the introduction of complementary foods varied widely between mothers. Compliance with infant feeding guidelines was poor. The mother's age, level of education and employment status all have an impact on breastfeeding and weaning practices. The provision of professional advice and a supportive environment for mothers, together with interventions for increasing awareness may promote maternal adherence to WHO guideline.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-39
Author(s):  
Abdullah Al-Taiar ◽  
Nawal Alqaoud ◽  
Ali H. Ziyab ◽  
Faheema Alanezi ◽  
Monica Subhakaran ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives: This study aimed to examine age-specific trends in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in schoolchildren in Kuwait over a 13-year period (2007 to 2019) using the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the International Obesity Taskforce (IOTF) definitions. Design: Using cross-sectional approach, Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System (KNSS) objectively measured weight and height of schoolchildren over a 13-year period. Log-binomial regression models were used to examine age-specific trends of obesity and overweight over the study period. Setting: Public primary, middle, and high schools in all provinces of Kuwait. Participants: Schoolchildren aged 5-19 years (N 172 603) Results: According to the WHO definition, the prevalence of overweight and obesity in schoolchildren respectively increased from 17.73% and 21.37% in 2007 to 20.19% and 28.39% in 2019 (P for trends<0.001). There is evidence that the obesity in females (but not males) has levelled off in the period 2014-2019 according to the three definitions of obesity, which is corroborated by a similar trend in the mean of BMI-for-age Z score. Conclusion: The prevalence of obesity and overweight in schoolchildren in Kuwait has risen over the last 13 years and trends are similar across all definitions. Obesity is no longer increasing at the same pace and there is evidence that the prevalence of obesity in females has plateaued. The current level of childhood overweight and obesity is too high and requires community-based and school-based interventions.


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