Association of Family Nutrition and Physical Activity with Preschooler’s Working Memory: A Cross-Sectional Study among Mexican Children

Healthy eating and active lifestyles are associated with children’s healthy weight and cognitive development. This study examines whether family behaviors relevant for nutrition and activity levels are associated with children’s working memory, independent of their weight status. A convenience sample of child–caregiver dyads (n = 85 dyads) were recruited from a public preschool serving a low-income community in central Mexico. Caregivers reported the frequency of ten family behaviors using the Family Nutrition and Physical Activity screening tool. Children completed a test of their ability to recall four words after a 60-s distraction task, an assessment of working memory. Multiple linear regression models were used to test the association of children’s working memory with each family behavior, adjusting for children’s sex, age, mother’s age and education, and subjective social status and then also adjusting for children’s age- and sex-specific body mass index percentile (BMI-P) and covariates. Higher frequency of breakfast intake was significantly associated with working memory (β = 0.57, p = 0.013). This association was independent of children’s BMI-P. Other family behaviors (frequent family mealtimes, limiting screen time, and others) were not significantly associated with children’s working memory. Frequent breakfast intake could benefit young children’s working memory, regardless of their weight status. This association merits further investigation.

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Eating frequency and weight status in Portuguese children aged 3–9 years: results from the cross-sectional National Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey 2015–2016

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980019000661 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 22 (15) ◽

pp. 2793-2802 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sofia Vilela ◽

Daniela Correia ◽

Milton Severo ◽

Andreia Oliveira ◽

Duarte Torres ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Energy Intake ◽

Weight Status ◽

Portuguese Population ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Eating Frequency ◽

Food Nutrition ◽

Nutrition And Physical Activity ◽

Activity Survey ◽

Main Meals

AbstractObjective:To evaluate daily eating frequency (main meals and snacks) in relation to weight status in children aged 3–9 years, representative of the Portuguese population.Design:Cross-sectional study. Dietary intake was estimated as the mean of two non-consecutive days of food diaries, followed by face-to-face interviews. Weight and height were measured by trained observers. Eating occasions (EO) were defined by the children’s caregiver; an EO was considered separate if the time of consumption was different from other EO and it provided at least 209 kJ (50 kcal). Main meals defined as ‘breakfast’, ‘lunch’ and ‘dinner’ could be selected only once per day. The remaining EO were considered snacks. The association between eating frequency and overweight/obesity was evaluated through logistic regressions weighted for the population distribution.Setting:National Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey of the Portuguese population, 2015–2016.Participants:Portuguese children aged 3–9 years with complete dietary data and anthropometric measurements (n 517).Results:Overall, the number of daily EO ranged from 3·5 to 11, and on average children had 5·7 daily EO. After adjustment for child’s sex, age and total energy intake, and considering only plausible energy intake reporters, having < 3 snacks/d was positively associated with being overweight/obese (OR = 1·98; 95 % CI 1·00, 3·90), compared with having ≥ 3 snacks/d.Conclusions:Lower daily frequency of EO was associated with increased odds of being overweight or obese in children. A higher eating frequency, maintaining the same energy intake, seems to contribute to a healthy body weight in children.

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Activity and Obesity of Colombian Immigrants in Canada Who Use a Food Bank

Perceptual and Motor Skills ◽

10.2466/pms.105.2.681-687 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 105 (2) ◽

pp. 681-687 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Victor Ng ◽

Timothy J. Rush ◽

Meizi He ◽

Jennifer D. Irwin

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Weight Status ◽

University Education ◽

Self Report ◽

Healthy Weight ◽

Food Bank ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Face To Face ◽

Received Social Support ◽

Canadian Immigrants

The purpose of this study was to provide some preliminary description of the Latin-Canadian community by reporting the socioeconomic status, physical activity, and weight status (i.e., healthy weight, overweight, or obese status) of Colombians newly immigrated to London, Ontario Canada. Face-to-face interviews were conducted on a convenience sample of 77 adult Colombian immigrant food bank users (46.8% men; mean age 39.9 yr., SD = 11.8). Physical activity was gauged using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and self-report Body Mass Index, and sociodemographic data were collected. Of respondents, 47% had a university education, and 97% received social support. 61% met recommended levels of physical activity. Men were more active, being involved in about 130 min. more of exercise per week, and more men were overweight than women (63.9% versus 39.0%, respectively). Of respondents, 73% reported being less active than before coming to Canada. This pilot study indicates that Latin-Canadian immigrants are a vulnerable group in need of acculturational support. Further study is warranted.

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Parental-perceived home and neighborhood environmental correlates of accelerometer-measured physical activity among school-going children in Uganda

PLOS Global Public Health ◽

10.1371/journal.pgph.0000089 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (12) ◽

pp. e0000089

Author(s):

Bernadette Nakabazzi ◽

Lucy-Joy M. Wachira ◽

Adewale L. Oyeyemi ◽

Ronald Ssenyonga ◽

Vincent O. Onywera

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Public Schools ◽

Low Income ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Well Being ◽

Low Income Countries ◽

School Type ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Environmental Characteristics ◽

Cross Sectional

The benefits of physical activity (PA) on children’s health and well-being are well established. However, many children do not meet the PA recommendations, increasing their risk of being overweight, obese, and non-communicable diseases. Environmental characteristics of homes and neighborhoods may constrain a child’s ability to engage in PA, but evidence is needed to inform country-specific interventions in understudied low-income countries. This study assessed the associations between parental-perceived home and neighbourhood, built environment characteristics, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among children in Kampala city, Uganda. In this cross-sectional study, data were obtained from 256 children (55.5% girls) aged between 10 and 12 years and their parents. Children’s MVPA was measured using waist-worn ActiGraph accelerometers. The environments were assessed using a valid self-reported parent survey. Linear regression models with standard errors (clusters) were used to analyze the relationship between environmental variables and children’s MVPA. Sex-specific relationships were assessed using sex-stratified models. Play equipment at home (β = -2.37, p <0.001; unexpected direction), residential density (β = 2.70, p<0.05), and crime safety (β = -5.29, p <0.05; unexpected direction) were associated with children’s MVPA. The sex-specific analyses revealed more inconsistent patterns of results with a higher perception of land use mix associated with less MVPA in girls (irrespective of school type attended), and higher perceptions of sidewalk infrastructure (β = -12.01, p <0.05) and walking and cycling infrastructure (β = -14.72, p <0.05) associated with less MVPA in girls attending public schools only. A better perception of crime safety was associated with less MVPA among boys and girls attending private schools (β = -3.80, p <0.05). Few environmental characteristics were related to children’s MVPA in Uganda, and findings were largely inconsistent, especially among girls. Future studies are needed to understand the ecological determinants of health-related PA behaviors among children in Uganda.

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

Workplace Health & Safety ◽

10.1177/2165079920925505 ◽

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.

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Effects of Healthy Change Intervention on Childhood Obesity Prevention in Mexico

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzab051_017 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 973-973

Author(s):

Yolanda Flores-Peña ◽

Meizi He ◽

Erica Sosa ◽

Hermelinda Avila-Alpirez ◽

Perla Trejo-Ortiz

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Home Environment ◽

Weight Status ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Study Endpoint ◽

Anthropometric Measurement ◽

Physical Activity Environment ◽

Feeding Style ◽

Nutrition And Physical Activity ◽

Family Nutrition

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the effects of the Healthy Change intervention on maternal perceptions of their child's body weight (MPCW), weight status as overweight-obese (OW-OB), and associated variables (child’ BMI, maternal feeding style, and obesogenic home environment) in Mexico. Methods Randomized control trial consisted of two arms: the intervention group received Healthy Change, and control group received Hygiene and Accident Prevention. Data were collected at baseline and at the end of the program via self-administered questionnaires by mothers and anthropometric measurement in children. Results The proportion of mothers who accurately identified their children's weight status increased at study endpoint in both groups. The intervention group also showed a shift of mothers feeding style towards an authoritative style (17.4 vs 26.2, P < 0.001) and favorable changes family nutrition and physical activity environment scores on family eating practices, healthy home environment, family and child's physical activity. Conclusions The Healthy Change Intervention contributed to an increased recognition of children's overweight status, a shift toward a maternal authoritative feeding style, and favorable changes in family nutrition and physical activity environment. Funding Sources The National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT)

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Abstract P048: Sodium Intake is Associated with Weight Status in Australian Schoolchildren Aged 4-12 Years

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.131.suppl_1.p048 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 131 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Carley A Grimes ◽

Janet Baxter ◽

Lynn Riddell ◽

Karen Campbell ◽

Feng He ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Primary Schools ◽

Weight Status ◽

Task Force ◽

Sodium Intake ◽

High Energy ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Healthy Weight ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

High Sodium

Introduction: A high sodium intake stimulates thirst and in turn may promote greater consumption of high energy sugary beverages, which are linked to obesity risk in children. In this study we assessed the hypothesis that sodium intake, as measured by 24-hr urinary sodium excretion, would be positively associated with weight status in primary school-aged children. Methods: Cross-sectional study completed within a convenience sample of Victorian primary schools (n=43). Sodium intake was assessed via one 24-hr urine collection. Fourteen percent of samples were deemed invalid and excluded. BMI was calculated from measured weight and height and converted to BMI z-scores using the 2000 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reference growth charts. Participants were grouped into weight categories using the International Obesity Task Force cut-points. Differences in sodium intake and weight status were assessed using multi-level linear and logistic regression analysis with adjustment for random effects (gender, age) and fixed effect (school cluster). Results: Of the 667 children with valid urine samples 55% were male and the average age was 9.3±(SD) 1.8 years. Ten percent were classified as underweight, 73% healthy weight, 14% overweight and 3% obese. Average sodium intake differed across weight categories, underweight 82±29 mmol/day (salt equivalent 4.8±1.7 g/day); healthy weight 102±43 mmol/day (salt 6.0±2.5 g/day); overweight 125±55 mmol/day (salt 7.3±3.2 g/day); obese 148±97 mmol/day (salt 8.7±5.7 g/day) (p=0.001). In the fully adjusted model sodium intake (mmol/d) was significantly associated with BMI z-score (b=0.006, P<0.001). A 17 mmol/day increase in sodium intake (salt 1 g/day) was associated with a 23% (OR: 1.23; 95% CI 1.16, 1.31) greater risk of being overweight or obese, adjusted for age and gender. Conclusions: Higher sodium intake is associated with overweight and obesity in Victorian schoolchildren. This may be related to increased energy intake, and this association should be explored further.

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Diet Quality of Australian Children and Adolescents on Weekdays versus Weekend Days: A Secondary Analysis of the National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey 2011–2012

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13114128 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (11) ◽

pp. 4128

Author(s):

Dimity C. Dutch ◽

Rebecca K. Golley ◽

Brittany J. Johnson

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Diet Quality ◽

Weight Status ◽

Secondary Analysis ◽

Healthy Weight ◽

Discretionary Choices ◽

Nutrition And Physical Activity ◽

Activity Survey ◽

Parent Proxy

Daily routines may influence children and adolescents’ eating patterns, however the influence of days of the week on dietary intake has rarely been explored. This study aimed to examine discretionary choices intake in the context of diet quality on weekdays versus weekends. A secondary analysis was conducted using the Australian National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey 2011–2012. Differences in discretionary choices intake and diet quality on weekdays versus weekends, were examined using ANCOVA analyses. Associations between child and parent-proxy characteristics and weekday/weekend discretionary choices intake were examined using multivariable regression models. Primary analyses included 2584 Australian 2–17-year-olds. There were small differences in discretionary choices intake and diet quality between weekdays and weekends in all age subgroups. Compared to weekdays, intakes on weekends were characterized by a higher intake of discretionary choices, and lower total Dietary Guidelines Index for Children and Adolescents (DGI-CA) scores across the age subgroups (all p < 0.01). Parent-proxy discretionary choices intake and child age were predictors of weekday and weekend discretionary choices intake. Parent-proxy obesity weight status compared with healthy weight status was a predictor of weekend intake, while parent-proxy education level was a predictor of weekday discretionary choices intake. Future intervention strategies should target discretionary choices intake on both weekdays and weekends.

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Sibling eating behaviours and parental feeding practices with siblings: similar or different?

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980016000860 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 19 (13) ◽

pp. 2415-2423 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Jerica M Berge ◽

Allan D Tate ◽

Amanda Trofholz ◽

Katherine Conger ◽

Dianne Neumark-Sztainer

Keyword(s):

Low Income ◽

Emotional Eating ◽

Weight Status ◽

Feeding Practices ◽

Healthy Weight ◽

Eating Behaviours ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Parental Feeding Practices ◽

Parental Feeding ◽

Child Eating

AbstractObjectiveLittle is known about whether siblings have similar or different eating behaviours or whether parents tailor their feeding practices to different siblings. The main objectives of the present study were to examine similarities and differences in child eating behaviours and parental feeding practices with siblings and to determine whether child eating behaviours and parental feeding practices differ depending on sibling concordant (i.e. both siblings overweight or healthy weight) or discordant (i.e. one sibling overweight and one sibling healthy weight) weight status.DesignCross-sectional, mixed-methods study.SettingIn-home visits were conducted by research staff. Surveys were conducted with parents and anthropometry was collected on parents and siblings.SubjectsChildren (n 88) aged 6–12 years (mean age 9 (sd 2) years), their parents (mean age 34 (sd 7) years) and near-age siblings (mean age 9 (sd 4) years) from diverse racial/ethnic and low-income households participated.ResultsResults indicated that siblings with higher BMI engaged in higher levels of emotional eating compared with siblings with lower BMI. Additionally, results indicated that when families had sibling dyads discordant on weight status, the sibling who was overweight had higher food enjoyment and lower levels of food satiety. Additionally, within siblings with discordant weight status, parents were more likely to use restrictive feeding practices with the overweight sibling and pressure-to-eat and encouragement-to-eat feeding practices with the healthy-weight sibling.ConclusionsFamily-based childhood obesity interventions may need to assess for sibling weight status when researching the home environment and intervene with parents to avoid using restriction or pressure-to-eat feeding practices when siblings are discordant on weight status.

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Risk Factors of Obesity in Low Income Head Start Children

European Scientific Journal ESJ ◽

10.19044/esj.2016.v12n6p1 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

pp. 1

Author(s):

Beverly Copeland ◽

Allan A. Johnson

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Health Status ◽

Head Start ◽

Low Income ◽

Weight Status ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Head Start Children ◽

Child Bmi

The purpose of the study was to investigate the contributing risk factors of obesity among low income Head Start children, and to determine if there is a correlation between caregivers’ perceptions of their own weight and health status, and that of their children. A cross-sectional descriptive study design was utilized. A convenience sample of 195 Head Start children and caregiver pairs were recruited from two Head Start Organizations within the District of Columbia (DC). Measured heights and weights of children and their caregivers were used to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI). A questionnaire was used to ascertain data on caregivers’ perceptions of their children’s weight status, doctors’ diagnoses of children’s weight/height status, caregivers’ perceptions of their own health condition, and sociodemographic data. Results of the study showed that caregivers’ perceived their overweight/obese children as being of normal weight/height status. The majority of the caregivers misperceived their own health status in a positive way. Significant relationships were found between caregiver educational level and child BMI, and between doctors’ weight advice and child BMI. It was concluded that the caregivers underestimated the prevalence of overweight/obesity among their children, and overstated their own health status. Child BMI status was directly related to caregivers’ educational attainment.

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The Association of Family Eating Behaviors With Children's Cognitive Functioning: A Cross-Sectional Study Among 3–6-Year-Old Mexican Children

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzab049_001 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 888-888

Author(s):

Liliana Aguayo ◽

Rifat B Alam ◽

Andiara Schwingel ◽

Solveig Cunningham ◽

Maria Piñeros-Leaño

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Cognitive Functioning ◽

Low Income ◽

Verbal Fluency ◽

Eating Behaviors ◽

Future Research ◽

United States Department ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Eating Practices

Abstract Objectives Little is known about the association of family eating behaviors with young children's cognitive development, particularly among non-White populations. The objective of this study is to determine if healthier family eating behaviors are associated with young Mexican children's cognitive functioning. Methods We used cross-sectional data from a convenience sample of low-income child-mother dyads recruited from a public preschool in San Luis Potosi, S.L.P., Mexico. Using the Family Nutrition and Physical Activity (FNPA) questionnaire, mothers were asked to report the frequency of ten family eating behaviors (e.g., frequency of breakfast intake, family mealtimes, etc.). Children completed two cognitive tests: a working memory test of their ability to recall four words after a timed distraction (i.e., delayed recall); and a verbal fluency test, examined with a 60-second trial of word retrieval in response to “things people eat”. The associations of family eating behaviors with children's working memory and verbal fluency were examined using multiple linear regression models adjusting for child sex, age, mother's age, education, and subjective socioeconomic status. Results Study included 85 child-mother dyads; children's ages ranged from 3 to 6 years (4.58 ± 0.58) and mothers from 19 to 55 years (30.92 ± 8.49). Children had a mean working memory score of 2.24 ± 0.99 words recalled and retrieved a mean of 20.06 ± 5.26 words in the verbal fluency tests. Higher frequency of breakfast intake was associated with higher working memory scores (β = 0.56, P = 0.013). No other family eating practices were significantly associated with children's working memory. Children's verbal fluency scores were not significantly associated with family eating practices. Conclusions Frequent breakfast intake was associated with young children's memory maintenance. Future research is needed to examine the mechanisms through which breakfast intake could benefit children's neurodevelopmental health. Funding Sources This study was supported by the training grant “Illinois Transdisciplinary Obesity Prevention Program (I-TOPP)” funded by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and support from the NIDDK.

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