Changes in Health Behaviors Associated With Weight Gain by Weight Classification During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 089011712110229
Author(s):  
Kristie Rupp ◽  
Ciarán P. Friel
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Caloric Intake ◽  
Healthy Weight ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Obesity Epidemic ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Online Panels

Purpose: To determine whether perceived changes (i.e. perception of engagement during the pandemic relative to pre-pandemic) in specific health behaviors differ by weight status (i.e. healthy weight, overweight, obese). Design: Cross-sectional. Recruitment took place between June-August 2020, via social media posts and Qualtrics online panels. Setting: Participants completed the survey online through the Qualtrics platform. Sample: Analyses included N = 502 participants (≥18 years); 45.2% healthy weight (n = 227), 28.5% overweight (n = 143), and 26.3% obese (n = 132). Measures: Study-specific survey items included questions about demographics and perceived changes in health behaviors. Analysis: Logistic regression models, adjusted for age, race, ethnicity, gender, education, and COVID-19 diagnosis, assessed the odds of perceiving changes in health behaviors considered a risk for weight gain. Results: Participants with obesity, but not overweight, were significantly more likely to report deleterious changes to health behaviors compared to healthy weight peers, including: (1) decreased fruit/vegetable consumption [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.92; 95% confidence interval (CI): (1.13, 3.26)]; (2) increased processed food consumption [AOR = 1.85; 95%CI: (1.15, 3.00)]; (3) increased caloric intake [AOR = 1.66; 95% CI: (1.06, 2.61)]; (4) decreased physical activity [AOR = 2.07; 95%CI: (1.31, 3.28)]; and (5) deterioration in sleep quality [AOR = 2.07; 95%CI: (1.32, 3.25)]. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that adults with obesity may be at greater risk for unhealthy behaviors during a period of prolonged social distancing, potentially exacerbating the obesity epidemic.

scholarly journals How Is the Practice of Yoga Related to Weight Status? Population-Based Findings From Project EAT-IV

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 905-912 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dianne Neumark-Sztainer ◽  
Richard F. MacLehose ◽  
Allison W. Watts ◽  
Marla E. Eisenberg ◽  
Melissa N. Laska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Healthy Weight ◽  
Yoga Practice ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Overweight Women

Background: Yoga may provide a strategy for healthy weight management in young adults. This study examined prevalence and characteristics of young adults’ yoga practice and associations with changes in body mass index. Methods: Surveys were completed by 1830 young adults (31.1 ± 1.6 y) participating in Project EAT-IV. Cross-sectional and 5-year longitudinal analyses were conducted stratified by initial weight status. Results: Two-thirds (66.5%) of nonoverweight women and 48.9% of overweight women reported ever doing yoga, while 27.2% of nonoverweight women and 16.4% of overweight women practiced regularly (≥30 min/wk). Fewer men practiced yoga. Among young adults practicing regularly (n = 294), differences were identified in intensity, type, and location of yoga practice across weight status. Young adults who were overweight and practiced yoga regularly showed a nonsignificant 5-year decrease in their body mass index (−0.60 kg/m2; P = .49), whereas those not practicing regularly had significant increases in their body mass index (+1.37 kg/m2; P < .01). Frequency of yoga was inversely associated with weight gain among both overweight and nonoverweight young adults practicing yoga regularly. Conclusions: Young adults of different body sizes practice yoga. Yoga was associated with less weight gain over time, particularly in overweight young adults. Practicing yoga on a regular basis may help with weight gain prevention.

scholarly journals Perception of risk for hypertension and overweight/obesity in Cape Coast, Ghana

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 140-146
Author(s):  
Derek A. Tuoyire ◽  
Sarah McNair ◽  
Samuel A. Debrah ◽  
Rosemary B. Duda
Keyword(s):  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Healthy Weight ◽  
Perception Of Risk ◽  
Cape Coast ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Adult Men ◽  
Weight Outcomes

Background: This study examined the association between perception of risk for hypertension and overweight/obesity.Design: Cross-sectional questionnaire-based surveySetting: Out-patient department of the Central Regional Hospital in Cape Coast, Ghana Participants: Adult men and women at least 18 years oldInterventions: NoneMain outcome measures: Perception of risk for hypertension, overweight/obesityResults: About 39% of the participants (N=400) were found to be overweight/obese, with disproportionally higher rates among women (50%) than men (28%). Results of the binary logistic regression models revealed a strong positive association (OR = 2.21, 95% CI =1.23, 3.96) between perception of risk for hypertension and overweight/obesity. Increasing age, high television exposure, female gender and being in a relationship were also noted to be associated with overweight/obesity. Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for the design of programmes to help individuals appreciate the reality of weight-related health risks, as well as the need to embrace lifestyles that promote healthy weight outcomes. Funding: Harvard Medical School Travelling Fellowship, Scholars in Medicine Office, Harvard Medical SchoolKeywords: overweight, obesity, risk, perception, hypertension, Cape Coast, Ghana

scholarly journals Family average income and body mass index above the healthy weight range among urban and rural residents in regional Mainland China

2005 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fei Xu ◽  
Xiao-Mei Yin ◽  
Min Zhang ◽  
Eva Leslie ◽  
Robert Ware ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Mainland China ◽  
Healthy Weight ◽  
Average Income ◽  
Weight Range ◽  
Socio Economic Status

AbstractObjective:To explore the relationship between family average income (FAI; an index of socio-economic status) and body mass index (BMI; a widely used, inexpensive indicator of weight status) above the healthy weight range in a region of Mainland China.Design:Population-based cross-sectional study, conducted between October 1999 and March 2000 on a sample of regular local residents aged 35 years or older who were selected by random cluster sampling.Setting:Forty-five administrative villages selected from three urban districts and two rural counties of Nanjing municipality, Mainland China, with a regional population of 5.6 million.Subjects:In total, 29 340 subjects participated; 67.7% from urban and 32.3% from rural areas; 49.8% male and 50.2% female. The response rate among eligible participants was 90.1%.Results:The proportion of participants classified as overweight was 30.5%, while 7.8% were identified as obese. After adjusting for possible confounding variables (age, gender, area of residence, educational level, occupational and leisure-time physical activity, daily vegetable consumption and frequency of red meat intake), urban participants were more likely to be overweight or obese relative to their rural counterparts, more women than men were obese, and participants in the lowest FAI tertile were the least likely to be above the healthy weight range.Conclusions:The proportion of adults with BMI above the healthy weight range was positively related to having a higher socio-economic status (indexed by FAI) in a regional Chinese population.

Limited Improvements in Health Behaviors Suggest Need to Review Approaches to Health Promotion: A Repeated, Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
pp. 155982762090937
Author(s):  
Craig M. Becker ◽  
Kerry Sewell ◽  
Hui Bian ◽  
Joseph G. L. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Time Periods

Purpose. To broadly assess changes in key health behaviors (physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, smoking, and alcohol consumption) and one outcome (body mass index) between 2001-2006 and 2011-2016. Design. Repeated cross-sectional study. Setting. The United States of America. Participants. Noninstitutionalized adults age 24 to 39 participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Analysis. We used 2-sample t tests and χ2 tests to compare differences in health behaviors between the 2 time periods. Results. Data revealed a downward trend in both moderate and vigorous physical activity (P = .00), and fruit and vegetable consumption decreased (P = .003). Cigarette smoking decreased (P = .04), and there was no substantive change in heavy drinking between the 2 time periods. Body mass index was higher in the later time period (P = .00). Conclusion. Despite sustained funding efforts, we found little evidence that health behaviors improved between the 2 time periods. Indeed, many health behaviors have remained the same or worsened over time. These findings suggest the need to reflect on the appropriateness of the health promotion approaches being used.

scholarly journals What the Health? Information Sources and Maternal Lifestyle Behaviors (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emilie Mass Dalhaug ◽  
Lene Annette Hagen Haakstad
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Institute Of Medicine ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Online Chat ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Source Of Information

BACKGROUND Regular physical activity (PA), adequate gestational weight gain (GWG), and healthy eating are important for the long-term health of both mother and baby. Hence, it is important that women receive current and updated advice on these topics and are encouraged to adopt a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the main information sources among pregnant women regarding PA, GWG, and nutrition as well as to evaluate how these information sources may affect their health behaviors. METHODS A cross-sectional study design, comprising an electronic questionnaire, was distributed to 2 antenatal clinics, as well as pregnancy-related online chat forums and social media. The inclusion criteria were ≥18 years, ≥20 weeks gestation, and able to read and write Norwegian. In total, 150 pregnant women answered the questionnaire, which was a mix of 11-point Likert scales, close-ended questions, and semi–close-ended questions with the option to elaborate. The relationship between information sources and selected variables, including health behaviors and descriptive variables, were assessed by logistic regression, linear regression, or chi-square as appropriate (P<.05). RESULTS Mean age (years), gestation week, and prepregnancy body mass index (kg/m2) were 31.1 (SD 4.3), 30.6 (SD 5.9), and 24.2 (SD 4.2), respectively. More than eight out of 10 had received or retrieved information about nutrition (88.7%, 133/150) and PA (80.7%, 121/150), whereas 54.0% (81/150) reported information on GWG. When combining all 3 lifestyle factors, 38.5% had retrieved information from blogs and online forums and 26.6%, from their midwife or family physician. Women who reported the internet and media as their primary source of information on weight gain had increased odds of gaining weight below the Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines compared with gaining within the guidelines (odds ratio [OR] 15.5, 95% CI 1.4-167.4; P=.02). Higher compliance with nutritional guidelines was seen among those who cited the internet and media as their main source of information on nutrition (beta=.7, 95% CI 0.07-1.3; P=.03). On the other side, receiving advice from friends and family on weight gain was significantly associated with gaining weight above the IOM guidelines compared with gaining within the guidelines (OR 12.0, 95% CI 1.3-111.7; P=.03). No other associations were found between information sources and health behaviors. CONCLUSIONS The small number of health professionals giving information and the extensive use of internet- and media-based sources emphasize the need to address the quality of internet advice and guide women toward trustworthy sources of information during pregnancy. The association between information sources and PA, GWG, and nutrition requires further research.

scholarly journals Dietary Patterns and Weight Status of Primary School Children in Serbia

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Predrag Bozic ◽  
Visnja Djordjic ◽  
Lidija Markovic ◽  
Dragan Cvejic ◽  
Nebojsa Trajkovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Patterns ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
World Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Organization

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.

scholarly journals Low Healthy Diet Self-Efficacy and Intentions Associated with High Sweet Snacks and Sugar Sweetened Beverages Consumption among African American Adolescents Recruited from Low-Income Neighborhoods in Baltimore

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 4516
Author(s):  
Isna A. Fajarini ◽  
Mika Matsuzaki ◽  
Cara F. Ruggiero ◽  
Caroline R. Wensel ◽  
Sangwon Chung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Psychosocial Factors ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Caloric Intake ◽  
African American Adolescents ◽  
Sugar Sweetened Beverages ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sweetened Beverages

Psychosocial factors may influence consumption patterns of sweet snacks and sugar sweetened beverages (SSB), which are potential risk factors for obesity among African American (AA) adolescents. We used multivariable linear and logistic regression models to examine cross-sectional associations among psychosocial factors, sweet snacks and SSB consumption, and BMI z-scores in 437 AA adolescents aged 9–14 years living in low-income neighborhoods in Baltimore City, U.S.A. Mean caloric intake from sugar was 130.64 ± 88.37 kcal. Higher sweet snacks consumption was significantly associated with lower self-efficacy (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) = 0.81; 95% CI = 0.71 to 0.93) and lower food intentions scores (0.43; 0.30 to 0.61). Higher SSB consumption was associated with lower outcome expectancies (aOR = 0.98; 95% CI = 0.96–0.99), lower self-efficacy (0.98; 0.96 to 0.99), and lower food intentions (0.91; 0.87 to 0.95). No significant association was found between SSB and sweet snacks consumption and weight status. Psychosocial factors may play a role in sugar consumption behaviors among AA adolescents in low-income neighborhoods. Further studies are needed to improve our understanding of causal mechanisms of this association.

Characterizing Objective and Self-Reported Levels of Physical Activity Among Florida Firefighters Across Weight Status Category: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 68 (11) ◽  
pp. 513-518
Author(s):  
Hannah Kling ◽  
Katerina Santiago ◽  
Leonor Benitez ◽  
Natasha Schaefer Solle ◽  
Alberto J. Caban-Martinez
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Healthy Weight ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Objectively Measured ◽  
Probabilistic Sample

Background: Firefighters suffer from a disproportionally high burden of chronic diseases that could be prevented from regular bouts of physical activity (PA). The goal(s) of this pilot study were to (a) describe typical PA levels in professional paid firefighters, and (b) assess their ability to estimate their own levels of PA. Methods: A repeated measures study design was used to assess self-reported and objectively measured levels of PA from a non-probabilistic sample of firefighters ( n = 18) over 1 week. Objective measures of PA, measured by accelerometry were defined as the number of minutes spent in sedentary, light, moderate, and vigorous PA. Firefighters completed a follow-up questionnaire recording their self-reported levels of PA. Results: Obese (body mass index [BMI] > 30 kg/m2) firefighters spent 8,033 ± 2,543 minutes/week in sedentary activity, overweight (BMI = 25–29 kg/m2) firefighters 6,533 ± 1,587 minutes/week, and healthy weight (BMI = 18.5–24.9 kg/m2) firefighters 5,846 ± 1,160 minutes/week. The difference in self-reported weekly minutes spent in light, moderate, and vigorous activity and objectively measured minutes in activity was calculated. Healthy weight firefighters reported the least difference (1,924 minutes/week), followed by the overweight (3,884 minutes/week) and obese (5,749 minutes/week). Conclusion/Application to Practice: Firefighters poorly estimated their true level of PA compared with their objectively measured PA and obese firefighters reported the greatest inconsistency. Occupational health nurses should aim to support firefighters in achieving PA levels that assist firefighters to achieve a healthy weight and educate them about what it means to be engaged in each level of PA.

scholarly journals Parental concerns about childhood obesity and the strategies employed to prevent unhealthy weight gain in children

2006 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 889-895 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Crawford ◽  
Anna Timperio ◽  
Amanda Telford ◽  
Jo Salmon
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Preventive Action ◽  
Weight Concerns ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Parental Concerns ◽  
Unhealthy Weight ◽  
Current Weight ◽  
Child’S Weight

AbstractObjectivesTo describe parental concerns about their child's weight, to determine the proportion of parents taking preventive action to avoid obesity in their children and the predictors of taking preventive action, and to describe the strategies adopted by parents.DesignA cross-sectional survey was conducted. Children's heights and weights were measured, and parents completed a questionnaire that included measures of their own weight status, perceptions of their child's weight, concerns about their child's current weight and future weight as an adolescent and adult, and the strategies used to prevent obesity.SettingThe study was conducted in Melbourne, Australia.SubjectsA total of 291 families of children aged 5–6 years and 919 families of children aged 10–12 years participated.ResultsEighty-nine per cent of parents of overweight 5–6-year-olds and 63% of parents of overweight 10–12-year-olds were unaware their child was overweight. Seventy-one per cent of parents of overweight 5–6-year-olds and 43% of parents of overweight 10–12-year-olds were not concerned about their child's current weight. Although 31% of parents of 5–6-year-olds and 43% of parents of 10–12-year-olds were taking action to prevent unhealthy weight gain in their children, less-educated parents were less likely to do so.ConclusionsPublic health programmes are required to raise parental recognition of childhood overweight and of related risk behaviours, and to provide parents with practical strategies to prevent unhealthy weight gain in their children.

Obesity in children with high-function autism

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 313-313
Author(s):  
R. Kordi ◽  
A.H. Memari
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Health ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Healthy Weight ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Normal Children ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
High Intelligence ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity ◽  
Few Data ◽  
Obesity In Children

IntroductionChildhood obesity is a major issue and puts children at risk of physical and psychological health complications. Some studies have evaluated obesity in autism in different countries. However there is few data on the rate of obesity in high-function autism (HFA).AimTo evaluate the weight status of children with HFA in IranMethodsThis cross-sectional survey was carried out in autism specific schools of Tehran in 2010. In total 113 children with HFA ages 6–15 were evaluated. They were classified according to WHO references (2007) for body mass index (BMI) for age and sex as obese, overweight, healthy weight and underweight. We then examined the associations of weight status of these children with some variables and comorbodities.ResultsThe prevalence of obesity in children with HFA was 27.0%, overweight 13.0% and underweight 7.0%. There was a significant correlation between age and BMI (r = 0.26, Pvalue < 0.01). Underweight was associated with neurologic comorbidities (p < 0.05). The rate of obesity has not correlated with some other medical and psychiatric comorbidities, as well as sex, and parents’ weight status.ConclusionsPrevalence of obesity in autistic children with high intelligence profile is high and at the same levels of both normal children and children with autistic spectrum disorders.

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