Cognitive, emotional, and behavioral contributors to early childhood weight status

Pediatric obesity is a serious public health concern affecting almost 16% of two- to five-year-olds. Prior research has not sufficiently addressed how various factors combine to contribute to the heterogeneous condition of obesity. The goal of this study was to assess multiple individual factors to determine how they collectively contribute to weight status in young children, as this information could lead to tailored interventions. This was a cross-sectional, population-based study of three- to five-year-olds. Child height and weight were measured. Parents completed a demographic survey and validated questionnaires regarding these child characteristics: internalizing and externalizing behaviors, sleep problems, executive functions, and food approach and food avoid behaviors. Data for 154 participants (mean age: 4.4 ± 0.8 years; mean body mass index- z: .28 ± 1.0; 50% male) were analyzed using linear and logistic regression and a stepwise regression procedure. In the stepwise selection procedure for the binary outcome of obese/overweight versus normal weight, food avoid ( p = .151), food approach ( p = .017), and the White demographic variable ( p = .117) were identified as important predictors. In conclusion, when considering various cognitive, emotional, and behavioral factors, only food approach and food avoid eating behaviors predicted weight status in young children, suggesting prevention and intervention efforts should specifically address these aspects in young children.

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Awareness and knowledge about weight status and management: results from the 1 d sensitization campaign ‘Obesity Day’ in northern Italy

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s136898001100005x ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 14 (10) ◽

pp. 1813-1822 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Michela Barichella ◽

Alexis E Malavazos ◽

Giuseppe Fatati ◽

Emanuele Cereda

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Weight Management ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Weight Control ◽

Weight Status ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Obese Adults ◽

Cross Sectional

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the awareness and knowledge about weight status and its management.DesignA 1 d cross-sectional survey. Basic anthropometric assessments (weight, height, BMI and waist circumference) and a self-administered questionnaire were considered.SettingNineteen Clinical Nutrition or Endocrinology and Metabolic Disorders Units or Dietetics Services in the Italian region of Lombardy.SubjectsAll adults attending the ‘Obesity Day’ initiative.ResultsA total of 914 participants (605 female and 309 male) were recruited. Although most of the participants (83·5 %) considered obesity to be a disease, 38·5 % were likely to misperceive their weight status. In particular, 38·8 % of normal-weight adults believed themselves to be overweight, whereas 71·1 % and 37·5 % of classes I and II/III obese adults classified themselves as being overweight and mildly obese, respectively. However, most of the overweight (90·2 %), mildly (96·8 %) and moderately/severely obese adults (99·1 %) recognized the need to lose weight. In all, 37·8 % of the sample underestimated the role of physical activity in weight management. Interestingly, only 17·2 % of dieters (previous or current) declared being advised by their doctor to lose weight. Multivariate models revealed that higher age, low education and higher BMI were important determinants of poor weight control and management. In addition, previous dieting appeared not to provide better knowledge, whereas the role of physical activity was recognized mainly by those practising it.ConclusionsThe present study suggests that in Italy knowledge about weight management should be improved not only in the general population but also among health-care professionals. To confirm this finding, there is now the rationale for a nationally representative survey. New educational programmes can be designed on the basis of the information collected.

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Take-out food frequency was associated with energy intake among mothers of young children in urban slum area in North Jakarta

World Nutrition Journal ◽

10.25220/wnj.v05.i1.0010 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 70

Author(s):

Fitya Safira Birahmatika ◽

Dian Novita Chandra ◽

Luh Ade Ari Wiradnyani

Keyword(s):

Young Children ◽

Energy Intake ◽

Significant Negative Correlation ◽

Urban Slum ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Health Concern ◽

Slum Area ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health And Nutrition

Introduction: Inadequate energy intake was prevalent among women of reproductive age, which may contribute to poor diet. Having great concern towards health and nutrition may play a role in shaping eating habit and food-related behavior to achieve a healthy diet. This study aims to examine the association between health concern and energy intake, while considering other factors such as cooking frequency and having food away from home.Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in an urban slum area in Jakarta, involving 233 mothers of young children through consecutive sampling. Data was collected through interview using structured questionnaire, including 2x24-hour dietary recall. All statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Version 20.Results: Energy intake of most subjects did not meet the recommendation. There was no significant correlation between health concern measured by General Health Interest Scale and energy intake. The frequency of having take-out food was a significant predictor of the energy intake. Additionally, a significant negative correlation between health concern and having take-out food was found.Conclusion: Having take-out food was associated with energy intake. Provision of health and nutrition information in the food stores might help to increase health concern to shape a healthier diet. Thus, a collaborative effort targeting both food sellers and customers is essential.

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Thyroid Volume and Thyroid Function Parameters Are Independently Associated with Weight Status in Overweight Children

Hormone Research in Paediatrics ◽

10.1159/000509786 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 93 (5) ◽

pp. 279-286

Author(s):

Nina Lass ◽

Andre Barth ◽

Thomas Reinehr

Keyword(s):

Insulin Resistance ◽

Thyroid Function ◽

Weight Status ◽

Resistance Index ◽

Thyroid Volume ◽

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Function Parameter ◽

Overweight Children ◽

Cross Sectional

Background: A relation between thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), insulin resistance – both of which are related to obesity – and thyroid volume has been suggested. Therefore, we analyzed thyroid volume and structure in relation to thyroid function parameters, weight status, and insulin resistance. Methods:This is a cross-sectional study in which weight status (BMI-SDS), thyroid function parameters (TSH, free tri-iodothyronine [fT3], and free thyroxine [fT4]), insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), and thyroid volume (ultrasound) were determined in 617 overweight children (aged 10.4 ± 2.2 years, 50% male, BMI-SDS 2.5 ± 0.6) and in 27 normal-weight children of a similar age and gender. Furthermore, changes in thyroid volume and structure, and thyroid function parameters were analyzed in 83 obese children (51% male, mean age 10.3 ± 2.2) at baseline and at the end of a 1-year lifestyle intervention. Results: Overweight children had a significant greater thyroid volume (4.2 ± 1.8 vs. 4.1 ± 0.5 mL) and higher TSH (3.1 ± 1.5 vs. 2.4 ± 1.1 mU/L) and fT3 (4.4 ± 0.7 vs. 4.1 ± 0.5 pg/mL) concentrations compared to normal-weight children. In multiple linear regression analyses adjusted to multiple confounders, thyroid volume was significantly related to BMI-SDS (b coefficient 0.44 ± 0.10, r2 = 0.41) but not to any thyroid function parameter or HOMA-IR. Changes in BMI-SDS were significantly associated with changes in thyroid volume (r = 0.22). The changes in thyroid volume were not correlated to changes of any thyroid function parameter or HOMA-IR. Conclusions: Thyroid volume is positively correlated to weight status in childhood obesity and the change is reversible after weight loss independently of thyroid function parameters and insulin resistance. Further studies are needed to understand why thyroid volume is increased reversibly in overweight children.

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Weight cycling is associated with adverse cardiometabolic markers in a cross-sectional representative US sample

Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health ◽

10.1136/jech-2019-213419 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. jech-2019-213419

Author(s):

Lisa Kakinami ◽

Bärbel Knäuper ◽

Jennifer Brunet

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Insulin Sensitivity ◽

Weight Status ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽

Weight Cycling ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Weight History ◽

Cardiometabolic Markers

BackgroundWhether weight cycling (repeated weight loss and regain) is associated with cardiometabolic health is unclear. Study objective was to examine whether weight cycling since young adulthood (ie, 25 years of age) was associated with cardiometabolic markers.MethodsData from a nationally representative cross-sectional US sample (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999–2014) were used. Weight history was based on self-reported weight at age 25, 10 years prior and 1 year prior to the survey (n=4190, 51% male). Using current self-reported weight as the anchor, participants were classified as (1) stable weight, (2) weight losers, (3) weight gainers and (4) weight cyclers. Cardiometabolic markers included fasting lipids, insulin sensitivity and blood pressure. Multiple linear regressions were used to analyse weight history (reference: stable weight) and adjusted for covariates. Analyses incorporated the sampling design and survey weights and were stratified by sex or weight status.ResultsCompared with females with stable weight, female weight cyclers had worse lipids and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (all ps<0.05). Compared with males with stable weight, male weight cyclers had worse high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and HOMA-IR (ps<0.05). Weight cyclers with normal weight had worse HDL and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (ps<0.05), and weight cyclers with overweight or obesity had worse HOMA-IR (p=0.05). Blood pressure was not associated.ConclusionWeight cycling is adversely associated with cardiometabolic markers but associations differ by sex and weight status. While weight cycling is consistently associated with worse cardiometabolic markers among females, results are mixed among males. Weight cycling is associated with worse lipid measures for normal weight persons, and marginally worse insulin sensitivity for those with overweight/obesity.

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Factors associated with accelerometer measured movement behaviours among White British and South Asian children aged 6–8 years during school terms and school holidays

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025071 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. e025071 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Liana Carmen Nagy ◽

Muhammad Faisal ◽

Maria Horne ◽

Paul Collings ◽

Sally Barber ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

South Asian ◽

Primary Schools ◽

Weight Status ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Multilevel Modelling ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Obese Children ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated

ObjectivesTo investigate factors associated with movement behaviours among White British (WB) and South Asian (SA) children aged 6–8 years during school terms and holidays.DesignCross-sectional.SettingThree primary schools from the Bradford area, UK.ParticipantsOne hundred and sixty WB and SA children aged 6–8 years.Primary and secondary outcomesSedentary behaviour (SB), light physical activity (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) measured by accelerometry during summer, winter and spring and during school terms and school holidays. Data were analysed using multivariate mixed-effects multilevel modelling with robust SEs. Factors of interest were ethnicity, holiday/term, sex, socioeconomic status (SES), weight status, weekend/weekday and season.ResultsOne hundred and eight children (67.5%) provided 1157 valid days of data. Fifty-nine per cent of children were WB (n=64) and 41% (n=44) were SA. Boys spent more time in MVPA (11 min/day, p=0.013) compared with girls and SA children spent more time in SB (39 min, p=0.017) compared with WB children in adjusted models. Children living in higher SES areas were more sedentary (43 min, p=0.006) than children living in low SES areas. Children were more active during summer (15 min MVPA, p<0.001; 27 LPA, p<0.001) and spring (15 min MVPA, p=0.005; 38 min LPA, p<0.001) and less sedentary (−42 min and −53 min, p<0.001) compared with winter. Less time (8 min, p=0.012) was spent in LPA during school terms compared with school holidays. Children spent more time in MVPA (5 min, p=0.036) during weekend compared with weekdays. Overweight and obese children spent more time in LPA (21 min, p=0.021) than normal-weight children.ConclusionThe results of our study suggest that significant child level factors associated with movement behaviours are ethnicity, sex, weight-status and area SES. Significant temporal factors are weekends, school holidays and seasonality. Interventions to support health enhancing movement behaviours may need to be tailored around these factors.

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Prevalence of low birth weight and its association with maternal body weight status in selected countries in Africa: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2017-020410 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (8) ◽

pp. e020410 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Zhifei He ◽

Ghose Bishwajit ◽

Sanni Yaya ◽

Zhaohui Cheng ◽

Dongsheng Zou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Birth Weight ◽

Low Birth Weight ◽

Burkina Faso ◽

Weight Status ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Childbearing Age ◽

Maternal Body ◽

Cross Sectional

ObjectivesThe present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of low birth weight (LBW), and to investigate the association between maternal body weight measured in terms of body mass index (BMI) and birth weight in selected countries in Africa.SettingUrban and rural household in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Malawi, Senegal and Uganda.ParticipantsMothers (n=11 418) aged between 15 and 49 years with a history of childbirth in the last 5 years.ResultsThe prevalence of LBW in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Malawi, Senegal and Uganda was, respectively, 13.4%, 10.2%, 12.1%, 15.7% and 10%. Compared with women who are of normal weight, underweight mothers had a higher likelihood of giving birth to LBW babies in all countries except Ghana. However, the association between maternal BMI and birth weight was found to be statistically significant for Senegal only (OR=1.961 (95% CI 1.259 to 3.055)).ConclusionUnderweight mothers in Senegal share a greater risk of having LBW babies compared with their normal-weight counterparts. Programmes targeting to address infant mortality should focus on promoting nutritional status among women of childbearing age. Longitudinal studies are required to better elucidate the causal nature of the relationship between maternal underweight and LBW.

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Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and association with weight status in Irish children: a cross-sectional study prior to the introduction of a government tax on sugar-sweetened beverages

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980020000014 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 23 (12) ◽

pp. 2234-2244

Author(s):

Janas M Harrington ◽

Catherine Perry ◽

Eimear Keane ◽

Ivan J Perry

Keyword(s):

Energy Intake ◽

Weight Status ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Daily Energy Intake ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sugar Sweetened Beverage ◽

Sweetened Beverage ◽

Daily Energy

AbstractObjective:To provide baseline evidence of sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption in a sample of Irish children prior to the introduction of the SSB tax; to identify the energy contribution of SSB to daily energy intake; and to explore the association between SSB consumption and overweight/obesity.Design:Cross-sectional study.Setting:Primary schools in Cork, Ireland in 2012.Participants:1075 boys and girls aged 8–11 years. SSB consumption was assessed from 3-d food diaries. BMI was used to define obesity (International Obesity Taskforce definitions). Plausible energy reporters (n 724, 68 % of total sample) were classified using Schofield equation.Results:Eighty-two per cent of children with plausible energy intake consumed SSB. Mean energy intake from SSB was 485 kJ (6 % of total kJ). Mean kilojoules from SSB increased with weight status from 443 kJ for normal-weight children to 648 kJ for children with overweight/obesity (5·8 and 7·6 % of total kJ, respectively). Mean SSB intake was significantly higher in children with overweight/obesity than normal-weight children (383 and 315 ml/d). In adjusted analyses, children consuming >200 ml/d had an 80 % increased odds of overweight/obesity compared to those consuming <200 ml/d (OR 1·8, 95 % CI 1·0, 3·5). Family socioeconomic status and lifestyle determinants, including frequency of takeaway consumption and TV viewing, were also significantly associated with SSB consumption.Conclusions:SSB account for a substantial proportion of daily energy intake and are significantly associated with child overweight/obesity. This study provides baseline data from a sample of children from which the impact of the SSB tax can be benchmarked.

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Eating Habits of Children Born after Maternal Bariatric Surgery

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12092577 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (9) ◽

pp. 2577

Author(s):

Karolien Van De Maele ◽

Charlotte De Geyter ◽

Yvan Vandenplas ◽

Inge Gies ◽

Roland Devlieger

Keyword(s):

Bariatric Surgery ◽

Eating Behaviors ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Vegetable Consumption ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Control Group ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Meal Skipping ◽

Unhealthy Eating

Mothers who underwent bariatric surgery (BS) before pregnancy have worrisome eating habits, but little is known about the eating habits of their offspring. EFFECTOR is a cross-sectional, long-term follow-up study of 4–11-year-old children born from mothers that underwent bariatric surgery before pregnancy (n = 36), mothers with overweight/obesity (OW/OB) in a control group (n = 71), and mothers with a normal weight (NW) in a second control group (n = 35). Data on anthropometry and on eating habits obtained through a Food Frequency Questionnaire were collected prospectively. The children’s body mass index (BMI) scores significantly correlated with maternal pre-pregnancy BMI. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was the highest in children of the BS group (38.9% vs. 15.5% for children of the OW/OB group and 5.7% for those of the NW group; p = 0.004). Meal-skipping behavior was comparable between the groups. There was no difference in fruit and vegetable consumption. The BS group consumed more low-calorie sweetened beverages compared to the NW group (p = 0.01) but less fruit juice compared to the NW and OW/OB groups (p = 0.01). Our results may indicate a sugar-avoiding behavior in children of the BS group, fitting dietary maternal habits in a strategy to prevent dumping syndrome. In conclusion, maternal pre-pregnancy bariatric surgery does not alter unhealthy eating behaviors and the risk of development of overweight during childhood in their children.

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Fathers’ perception of child's weight and paternal feeding practices in relation to child's gender

Proceedings of The Nutrition Society ◽

10.1017/s0029665120002980 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽

Author(s):

Stephanie Rahill ◽

Aileen Kennedy ◽

John Kearney

Keyword(s):

Maternal Employment ◽

Weight Status ◽

Online Survey ◽

Feeding Practices ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Child Rearing ◽

Structure Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Likert Scale Response ◽

Child’S Weight

AbstractThe role of fathers in child rearing has changed in recent years due to an increase in maternal employment, which has increased the prevalence of co-parenting. It is important therefore to establish the role fathers have in feeding their child and how their attitudes and perceptions may influence the strategies they employ during mealtimes. In addition, research suggests that maternal and paternal feeding practices are associated with child's gender and weight status. Therefore, the aim of this research was to investigate the association between fathers’ perception of child's weight and paternal non-responsive and structure-related feeding practices, and the extent to which this is mediated by a child's gender.Cross-sectional data from an Irish sample of fathers, who completed an online survey based on one of their children aged 5–12 years old (n = 155). The Feeding Practices and Structure Questionnaire (FPSQ) assessed paternal feeding practices, and it was validated for use within this sample. A 5-point Likert scale response ranging from Very Underweight to Very Overweight to the question “Do you think your child is . . ?” assessed fathers’ perception of child's weight. Associations were assessed using multiple linear regressions.Fathers who perceived their sons as underweight reported higher levels of rewarding the child to eat (β = .24; p = 0.04) and overt restriction (β = .27; p = 0.03) than fathers who perceived their sons to be normal weight. Fathers who perceived their sons as overweight reported higher levels of overt restriction (β = .26; p = 0.04) than fathers who perceived their son to be normal weight. In relation to daughters, fathers who perceived them as underweight reported higher levels of both reward for behaviour (β = .28; p = 0.006) and reward for eating (β = .20; p = 0.04), while fathers who perceived their daughters as overweight reported lower levels of structured mealtimes (β = -.27; p = 0.012) compared to fathers who perceived their daughter as normal weight.Findings suggest that paternal perception of child's weight influences the type of feeding practices utilised by fathers, with the child's gender a mediating influence on reported specific feeding practices. Overall, fathers who perceive their son or daughter to be underweight or overweight appear to engage in more non-responsive and less structure-related feeding practices than fathers who perceive their child to be normal weight.

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Meal pattern and BMI in 9–11-year-old children in Finland

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980010003034 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 14 (7) ◽

pp. 1245-1250 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Reetta Lehto ◽

Carola Ray ◽

Marjaana Lahti-Koski ◽

Eva Roos

Keyword(s):

Weight Status ◽

School Lunch ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Meal Pattern ◽

School Day ◽

Statistical Analysis Method ◽

Single Meal ◽

Study Participants

AbstractObjectiveIn many studies it has been shown that breakfast is associated with normal weight in children and adolescents. Other meals, family meals and a regular meal pattern have been less studied. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine whether a regular meal pattern, or breakfast, lunch or dinner as separate regular meals, is associated with the BMI of children.DesignA cross-sectional study conducted within the Helsinki region during 2006. Study participants were measured and weighed by research staff. Children filled in a study questionnaire on their health behaviour, including the frequency of consuming meals. A regular meal was defined as one usually eaten on every school day. A regular meal pattern was defined as one consisting of a usual consumption of breakfast, school lunch and dinner on every school day. Covariance analysis was used as the statistical analysis method.SettingCapital region, Finland, 2006.SubjectsA total of 604 schoolchildren (312 girls) aged 9–11 years.ResultsIrregular breakfast and an irregular meal pattern were associated with higher BMI. Regularity of school lunch, dinner or family dinner was not associated with BMI.ConclusionsA regular breakfast and meal pattern was associated with lower BMI in children, although breakfast was the only single meal associated with BMI. We conclude that, although the association between breakfast and weight status in children is fairly consistent, the role of other meals is less convincing.

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