Correlates of Overweight in Children and Adolescents Living at Different Altitudes: The Peruvian Health and Optimist Growth Study

Background and Aim. Overweight prevalence in children and adolescents shows great variability which is related to individual-level and environmental-level factors. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with overweight in Peruvian children and adolescents living at different altitudes. Methods. 8568 subjects, aged 6–16 y, from the sea level, Amazon, and high-altitude regions were sampled. Overweight was identified using BMI; biological maturation and physical fitness were measured; school characteristics were assessed via an objective audit. Results. Overweight prevalence decreased with age (28.3% at 6 y to 13.9% at 16 y); it was higher in girls (21.7%) than boys (19.8%) and was higher at the sea level (41.3%), compared with Amazon (18.8%) and high-altitude (6.3%) regions. Approximately 79% of the variance in overweight was explained by child-level characteristics. In Model 1, all child-level predictors were significant (p<0.001); in Model 2, six out of nine added school-level predictors (number of students, existence of policies and practices for physical activity, multisports-roofed, duration of Physical Education classes, and extracurricular activities) were significant (p<0.001); in Model 3, subjects living at high altitudes were less likely to be overweight than those living at the sea level. Conclusions. Child- and school-level variables played important roles in explaining overweight variation. This information should be taken into account when designing more efficient strategies to combat the overweight and obesity epidemic.

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Caring for Overweight Children and Adolescents at a Reference Clinic in Nutrology: Habits and Attendance

International Journal of Nutrology ◽

10.1055/s-0041-1728678 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (01) ◽

pp. 006-010

Author(s):

Valeria Moro ◽

Luiz Antonio Del Ciampo

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Soft Drinks ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Dropout Rates ◽

Overweight Children ◽

Obesity Epidemic ◽

Study Population ◽

Municipal Health

Abstract Introduction The global obesity epidemic has mobilized health services to offer care at all levels, with reference outpatient clinics playing a prominent role in cases of greater complexity. Objectives The present study aimed to identify soft drinks consumption and physical activity habits among children and adolescents diagnosed with overweight and obesity during the first visit at a secondary level nutrology outpatient clinic, and to verify attendance at follow-up visits in a 2-year period from the first visit. Materials and Methods This is a retrospective, descriptive study based on data collection from medical records of overweighted or obese patients receiving first care at the Nutrology Clinic of the Municipal Health Secretariat from Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. The study population included children and adolescents aged between 2 and 18 years old cared for from January 2, 2013 to December 30, 2017. Age, weight, height, soft drinks consumption, physical activity, and attendance in scheduled follow-up visits during a 2-year period were analyzed. Results During the study period, 316 patients were registered, including 302 (95.5%) diagnosed with obesity. Of these, 112 (35.4%) were children and 204 (64.6%) were adolescents. Only 2.0% of the children and adolescents did not consume soft drinks, while 23.5 and 26.2% of the children and adolescents, respectively, consumed them daily. Physical inactivity was reported by 31.8% of the children and by 35.8% of the adolescents. Among those who practiced some type of physical activity, 81.3% of the children and 78.2% of the adolescents did not meet the recommendation of moderate to vigorous activity for 60 minutes per day. Dropout rates within the 1st year were of 41.9% for children and of 34.3% for adolescents, increasing to 76.9% and 73.8%, respectively, within the 2nd year. Conclusion There was a high consumption of soft drinks and low adherence to physical activity among patients who started outpatient follow-up. A small adherence to the follow-up program was also identified, with high dropout rates within the 2-year period following the first visit.

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Prevalence and temporal trends of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents in Jilin, Northeast China, 2011-2015

10.7287/peerj.preprints.3207 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Yan Li ◽

Zhijun Li ◽

Qing Sun ◽

Mengying Wang ◽

Meng Jiang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Children And Adolescents ◽

Northeast China ◽

National Level ◽

Temporal Trends ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Age Group ◽

Obesity Prevalence ◽

Obesity Epidemic ◽

And Gender

Objective: In China, the obesity epidemic is truly national and childhood obesity prevalence has rapidly increased and is close to the developed countries. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and temporal trends of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents in Jilin City, China (2011-2015). Methods: The data derived from the census on students’ constitution and health in 2011-2015 carried out by the Jilin CDC, Jilin City. 191191 children and adolescents aged 7-18 years were included in the present survey, of which 37549 in 2011 to 41564 in the 2015. The newly developed age- and gender-specific BMI cutoffs by the working group on obesity in China were used to define overweight and obesity in children and adolescents. Results: The mean of BMI (body mass index) was significantly increasing from 20.9 kg/m2 in 2011 to 21.5 kg/m2 in 2015 in all subjects. Overweight and Obesity prevalence of total students aged 7-18 years had a significantly increasing from 2012 to 2015 (P<0.001), from 16.0% and 13.1% to 17.1% and 17.1%. The minimum value of BMI and overweight and obesity prevalence in overall age group all presented in 2012. Boys and girls all showed the significant increase in overweight and obesity prevalence in every age group from 2012 to 2015 and boys higher than girls (P<0.001). Regardless of girls and boys, the most likely of children and adolescents being overweight and obesity had been observed in the youngest age and lowest school grade category. Conclusion: In summary, our results indicate that all the overweight and obesity prevalence among children and adolescents over the past 5 years were higher than the 2010 Chinese National Level and Chinese large coastal cities’ level and a significantly increase from 2011-2015. Obesity epidemic is serious, at least not optimistic among children and adolescents in Jilin, Northeast China.

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Trends of BMI and prevalence of overweight and obesity in Portugal (1995–2005): a systematic review

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980012000559 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 15 (6) ◽

pp. 972-981 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Helena Carreira ◽

Marta Pereira ◽

Ana Azevedo ◽

Nuno Lunet

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Temporal Trends ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Obesity Prevalence ◽

Obesity Epidemic ◽

Pubmed Search ◽

Using Data ◽

Reported Data ◽

Overweight Prevalence

AbstractObjectiveLocale-specific data on BMI and overweight/obesity are necessary to understand how the obesity epidemic is evolving in each setting. We aimed to describe the temporal trends of mean BMI and prevalences of overweight/obesity in studies that evaluated Portuguese adults and older people.DesignSystematic review, conducted via a PubMed search up to January 2011 and independent reference screening and data extraction. Twenty-one eligible studies were identified. Data were extracted from the published reports and obtained from the authors of seven of the largest studies. Adjusted ecological estimates of mean BMI and prevalences of overweight/obesity were computed by linear regression.ResultsBetween 1995 and 2005, when using data obtained from anthropometric measurements, overweight prevalence increased by 3·2 % and 3·5 % and obesity prevalence by 7·4 % and 1·3 % among women and men, respectively, while mean BMI did not vary meaningfully. When using self-reported information, mean BMI increased by 0·8 kg/m2 and 0·9 kg/m2, overweight prevalence by 3·5 % and 3·7 % and obesity prevalence by 5·8 % and 5·5 % among women and men, respectively. Results from the 20-year-old conscripts (1960–2000) showed a marked increase in these outcomes in the last decades.ConclusionsOur results show an important increase in overweight/obesity in younger ages. The trends in the indicators derived from self-reported data suggest an increase in awareness of the importance of overweight/obesity among the population.

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The growth of children at different altitudes in Ethiopia

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London Series B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rstb.1972.0015 ◽

1972 ◽

Vol 264 (864) ◽

pp. 403-437 ◽

Cited By ~ 43

Keyword(s):

Infectious Disease ◽

Ambient Temperature ◽

High Altitude ◽

Sea Level ◽

The Other ◽

Skeletal Maturation ◽

Early Puberty ◽

Other Hand ◽

The World ◽

Different Altitudes

In this study were observed the effects of two widely differing environments on the growth and maturation of children from a presumed genetically homogeneous Ethiopian population. Major environmental differences included altitude above sea level, temperature, probably rainfall and humidity, together with the incidence of infectious disease. The results indicate that highland children, particularly boys, are taller, heavier and bigger in most physical dimensions than are lowland children. In both groups skeletal maturation is retarded (by American White standards) during later childhood; this retardation is more marked in lowlanders. In both groups, however, there is marked acceleration of skeletal maturation during early puberty. Haemoglobin values increase much more rapidly in highland children, but surprisingly, differences in chest dimensions are not particularly marked. It is concluded that hypoxia of the degree found in the high-altitude group (approximately 3000 m) is not sufficient to affect adversely the growth of children. On the other hand, the increased incidence of infectious disease in the ‘lowlands’ (approximately 1500 m) and possibly the raised ambient temperature, may restrict growth and maturation of children living in this environment. Thus, in contrast to the situation in other high-altitude parts of the world, the highlands in Ethiopia appear to be more favourable to growth than the lowlands.

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Biological and environmental influences on motor coordination in Peruvian children and adolescents

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-95075-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sara Pereira ◽

Alcibíades Bustamante ◽

Carla Santos ◽

Donald Hedeker ◽

Go Tani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Altitude ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Sea Level ◽

Motor Coordination ◽

Geographical Area ◽

Environmental Influences ◽

Geographical Region ◽

Pediatric Care ◽

Gross Motor ◽

Geographical Regions

AbstractThis study investigated the associations between biological and environmental factors and gross-motor coordination (GMC) in Peruvian children and adolescents. The sample comprised 7401 boys and girls, aged 6–14 years, recruited from three geographical regions: sea-level, Amazon and high-altitude. Biological variables included age, sex, height, BMI, physical fitness, stunting, and maturational status. Environmental influences included geographical region and school characteristics. Gross-motor coordination was tested with the Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder and the data analyzed by multilevel logistic regression. Results showed a high prevalence of below normal GMC scores. Sex, age, geographical area, biological maturation, BMI (normal versus overweight/obesity), and stunting were all significant predictors of GMC. There was also an interaction between age, sex, and geographical area indicating that older girls who lived at sea-level and high-altitude were more likely to display below normal GMC scores. The school context was less important in predicting GMC problems than the interplay between biological characteristics and geographical region. These results suggest that early identification, as well as educational and pediatric care interventions, are of importance in reducing below normal GMC among Peruvian children and adolescents.

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Meditation and Locus of Control in Relation to Altitude

International Journal of Indian Psychology ◽

10.25215/0402.184 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Capt(ex) Deepika Chamoli ◽

Dr Rita Kumar ◽

Prof. (Dr.) Abha Singh

Keyword(s):

Locus Of Control ◽

High Altitude ◽

Sea Level ◽

External Locus ◽

Control Scale ◽

Internal Locus ◽

Internal Locus Of Control ◽

Creative Art ◽

The Individual ◽

Different Altitudes

The present study analyses the effect of meditation on locus of control of two groups(regular practitioners of meditation and non meditators) at two different altitudes (2535ft and 13500ft above sea level). The two groups comprised of Buddhist monks/Regular practitioners of meditation) and some locals in Yol Cantt (2535ft) and Lamayuru (13500ft). In the study it has been hypothesized that group one (Buddhist monks/Regular practitioners of meditation) at both the altitudes are inclined towards internal locus of control (internalism) whereas the second group is more inclined towards external locus of control (externalism). Total 100 individuals, 25 monks and 25 laymen from both areas were assessed by administering Rotter’s locus of control scale. Self-reported responses of the subjects were recorded, scored and subjected to ‘t’test analysis. It was established that group practicing regular meditation (monks) is more inclined towards internal locus of control. The study has suggested that the individual practicing meditation at both the altitudes have more inclination towards internal locus of control and non regular practitioner have also shown inclination towards internal locus of control at higher altitude. Subjects who are following some religious practices, creative art etc. also have more of internalism. Internalism is also more prevalent in high altitude.

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Prevalence and temporal trends of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents in Jilin, Northeast China, 2011-2015

10.7287/peerj.preprints.3207v1 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Yan Li ◽

Zhijun Li ◽

Qing Sun ◽

Mengying Wang ◽

Meng Jiang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Children And Adolescents ◽

Northeast China ◽

National Level ◽

Temporal Trends ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Age Group ◽

Obesity Prevalence ◽

Obesity Epidemic ◽

And Gender

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Monitoring Army Radio-Communications Networks at High Altitude

Perceptual and Motor Skills ◽

10.2466/pms.1973.37.2.471 ◽

1973 ◽

Vol 37 (2) ◽

pp. 471-476 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Richard L. Cahoon

Keyword(s):

High Altitude ◽

Sea Level ◽

Radio Communication ◽

Significant Drop ◽

Radio Communications ◽

Communications Networks ◽

Communication Task ◽

High Motivation ◽

And Training ◽

Different Altitudes

2 experiments were conducted to determine the effects of high altitude atmospheres on the performance of a simulated Army radio-communication task. Ss monitored 2-hr. tapes of simulated radio traffic at 4 different altitudes (sea level, 13,000 ft., 15,000 ft., and 17,000 ft.). The results of Exp. I indicated a significant drop in performance above 13,000 ft. altitude. However, Exp. II, using highly motivated, radio-trained Ss showed no performance decrements up to 17,000 ft. The data suggest that high motivation and training can compensate for altitude stress on monitoring tasks of relatively short duration.

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The Obesity Epidemic in Chinese American Youth?: A Literature Review and Pilot Study

10.36650/nexus6.1_31-42_matloffetal ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 31-42 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Robyn Matloff ◽

Angela Lee ◽

Roland Tang ◽

Doug Brugge

Keyword(s):

Asian Americans ◽

Ethnic Diversity ◽

Large Scale ◽

Community Health Center ◽

Chinese American ◽

The United States ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Waiting Room ◽

Obesity Epidemic ◽

American Children

Despite nearly 12 million Asian Americans living in the United States and continued immigration, this increasingly substantial subpopulation has consistently been left out of national obesity studies. When included in national studies, Chinese-American children have been grouped together with other Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders or simply as “other,” yielding significantly lower rates of overweight and obesity compared to non-Asians. There is a failure to recognize the ethnic diversity of Asian Americans as well as the effect of acculturation. Results from smaller studies of Chinese American youth suggest that they are adopting lifestyles less Chinese and more Americans and that their share of disease burden is growing. We screened 142 children from the waiting room of a community health center that serves primarily recent Chinese immigrants for height, weight and demographic profile. Body Mass Index was calculated and evaluated using CDC growth charts. Overall, 30.1 percent of children were above the 85th we found being male and being born in the U .S. to be statistically significant for BMI > 85th percentile (p=0.039, p=0.001, respectively). Our results suggest that being overweight in this Chinese American immigrant population is associated with being born in the U.S. A change in public policy and framework for research are required to accurately assess the extent of overweight and obesity in Chinese American children. In particular, large scale data should be stratified by age, sex, birthplace and measure of acculturation to identify those at risk and construct tailored interventions.

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Changes of Ionic and Oxygen Isotopic Composition of the Snowpack at the Glacier Austre Okstindbreen, Norway, 1995

Hydrology Research ◽

10.2166/nh.1998.0001 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 1-20 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Peter Raben ◽

Wilfred H. Theakstone

Keyword(s):

Isotopic Composition ◽

Sea Level ◽

Oxygen Isotopes ◽

Oxygen Isotopic Composition ◽

Isotopic Ratios ◽

Vertical Variations ◽

Oxygen Isotopic ◽

The Difference ◽

Liquid Precipitation ◽

Different Altitudes

Marked vertical variations of ions and oxygen isotopes were present in the snowpack at the glacier Austre Okstindbreen during the pre-melting phase in 1995 at sites between 825 m and 1,470 m above sea level. As the first meltwater percolated from the top of the pack, ions were moved to a greater depth, but the isotopic composition remained relatively unchanged. Ions continued to move downwards through the pack during the melting phase, even when there was little surface melting and no addition of liquid precipitation. The at-a-depth correlation between ionic concentrations and isotopic ratios, strong in the pre-melting phase, weakened during melting. In August, concentrations of Na+ and Mg2+ ions in the residual pack were low and vertical variations were slight; 18O enrichment had occurred. The difference of the time at which melting of the snowpack starts at different altitudes influences the input of ions and isotopes to the underlying glacier.

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