Effectiveness of school-based nutrition education interventions to prevent and reduce excessive weight gain in children and adolescents: a systematic review

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, social isolation, semi-lockdown, and “stay at home” orders were imposed upon the population in the interest of infection control. This dramatically changes the daily routine of children and adolescents, with a large impact on lifestyle and wellbeing. Children with obesity have been shown to be at a higher risk of negative lifestyle changes and weight gain during lockdown. Obesity and COVID-19 negatively affect children and adolescents’ wellbeing, with adverse effects on psychophysical health, due in large part to food choices, snacking between meals, and comfort eating. Moreover, a markable decrease in physical activity levels and an increase in sedentary behavior is associated with weight gain, especially in children with excessive weight. In addition, obesity is the most common comorbidity in severe cases of COVID-19, suggesting that immune dysregulation, metabolic unbalance, inadequate nutritional status, and dysbiosis are key factors in the complex mechanistic and clinical interplay between obesity and COVID-19. This narrative review aims to describe the most up-to-date evidence on the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in children and adolescents, focusing on the role of excessive weight and weight gain in pediatrics. The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us that nutrition education interventions, access to healthy food, as well as family nutrition counselling should be covered by pediatric services to prevent obesity, which worsens disease outcomes related to COVID-19 infection.

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Preventing Excessive Weight Gain in Adolescent Girls at High Risk for Adult Obesity: Podcast

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e600722012-001 ◽

2008 ◽

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

High Risk ◽

Adolescent Girls ◽

Adult Obesity ◽

Excessive Weight Gain ◽

Excessive Weight

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The role of antenatal education for the prevention of excessive weight gain during pregnancy

Minerva Ginecologica ◽

10.23736/s0026-4784.19.04449-6 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 71 (6) ◽

Author(s):

Roberta Amadori ◽

Carmela Melluzza ◽

Alessia Motta ◽

Alberto De Pedrini ◽

Daniela Surico

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Excessive Weight Gain ◽

Antenatal Education ◽

Excessive Weight ◽

Weight Gain During Pregnancy

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Screening for celiac disease among children with overweight and obesity: toward exploring celiac iceberg

Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism ◽

10.1515/jpem-2020-0076 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 33 (8) ◽

pp. 995-1002

Author(s):

Valeria Calcaterra ◽

Corrado Regalbuto ◽

Matteo Manuelli ◽

Catherine Klersy ◽

Gloria Pelizzo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Celiac Disease ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Autoimmune Diseases ◽

Medical History ◽

Unknown Origin ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Excessive Weight Gain ◽

Familial Predisposition ◽

Excessive Weight ◽

Hla Dq2

AbstractObjectivesThe coexistence of celiac disease (CD) and obesity/overweight is not unusual. We investigate the prevalence and clinical presentation of CD, detected by screening, among children with excessive weight gain.MethodsWe enrolled 200 children referred for overweight/obesity to our outpatient clinic. Medical history during pregnancy and childhood and lifestyle variables were recorded. Patients were screened for CD with total immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgA anti-transglutaminase (tTG-IgA) and IgA anti-endomysial antibodies (EMA-IgA). In subjects with positive autoantibodies, esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGDS) was performed and genetic testing for HLA DQ2 and/or DQ8 haplotypes was tested.ResultsCD positive antibodies (tTg-IgA and EMA-IgA) were detected in eight patients (4%); in all subjects CD diagnosis was confirmed by HLA-DQ2 and/or DQ8 compatibility and EGDS. No association between CD and medical history during pregnancy and childhood or lifestyle variables was noted; however, a dietary difference was identified with those testing positive for CD also reporting a lower weekly consumption of fruits and vegetables (p=0.04). Headache was reported more frequently in patients with than without CD (p=0.04). Familiar positivity for autoimmune diseases was revealed in CD patients (p=0.01).ConclusionCD should be considered in children with excessive weight gain. Familial predisposition to other autoimmune diseases may represent a risk factor for development of CD. Even though the relationship between headache and CD is not well defined, the patients with headache of unknown origin should be screened for CD.

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Family sociodemographic characteristics as correlates of children’s breakfast habits and weight status in eight European countries. The ENERGY (EuropeaN Energy balance Research to prevent excessive weight Gain among Youth) project

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980014001219 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 18 (5) ◽

pp. 774-783 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Yannis Manios ◽

George Moschonis ◽

Odysseas Androutsos ◽

Christina Filippou ◽

Wendy Van Lippevelde ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Energy Balance ◽

Weight Status ◽

Educational Status ◽

European Countries ◽

Sociodemographic Characteristics ◽

Excessive Weight Gain ◽

Breakfast Consumption ◽

Mediation Analyses ◽

Excessive Weight

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose of the present study was to investigate the associations of family sociodemographic characteristics with children’s weight status and whether these potential associations are mediated by children’s breakfast habits.DesignA school-based survey among 10–12-year-old children was conducted in eight European countries. Children’s weight and height were measured and breakfast habits and family sociodemographic characteristics were self-reported by 5444 children and their parents. International Obesity Task Force cut-off points were used to categorize children as overweight/obese or normal weight. Mediation analyses were used to test the potential mediating effect of children’s breakfast consumption on the associations between family sociodemographic characteristics and children’s overweight/obesity.SettingSchools in eight European countries participating in the ENERGY (EuropeaN Energy balance Research to prevent excessive weight Gain among Youth) project.SubjectsChildren aged 10–12 years and their parents (n 5444).ResultsChildren’s reported daily breakfast consumption varied from 56 % in Slovenia to 92 % in Spain on weekdays and from 79 % in Greece to 93 % in Norway on weekends. Children of native parents, with both parents employed and with at least one parent having more than 14 years of education were more likely to consume breakfast daily and less likely to be overweight/obese. Finally, mediation analyses revealed that the association of parental nationality and parental educational status with children’s overweight/obesity was partially mediated by children’s daily breakfast consumption.ConclusionsThe study shows that the lower likelihood of being overweight/obese among 10–12-year-old children of native background and higher parental educational status was partially mediated by children’s daily breakfast consumption.

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