Physical and Sedentary Activities and Childhood Overweight/Obesity: A Cross-Sectional Study among First-Year Children of Primary Schools in Modena, Italy

Children obesity is a serious public health issue. This study aimed to investigate physical/sedentary activities of first-year primary schools children in Modena, and their association with overweight/obesity and dietary habits of children and family characteristics to identify the risk factors for unhealthy lifestyles. Child physical/sedentary activities were gathered through an anonymous questionnaire administered to parents, as well as family characteristics and weight/height of child and parents. Logistic regression models, eventually adjusted for parents’ sociodemographic characteristics, were used to analyze data. Questionnaires were delivered by 660 families (74.2%), of which 72 without anthropometric data were excluded. Three out of four children spent in physical activities less than 7 h/week, while 63.9% dedicated to sedentary activities two or more hours/day. From multivariate analysis, the habit significantly affecting children’s overweight/obesity was spending time on tablets/Personal Computers/mobile phones/videogames. Higher parental education level resulted in a protective factor for implementing unhealthy lifestyles in terms of time dedicated to physical/sedentary activities. Our results suggest the need of interventions to increase time for physical activity and to promote a responsible use of digital media involving the entire families to reach all parents regardless of their education and nationality with a possible relapse on other family members.

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Association of Child Mental Health with Child and Family Characteristics in Rural China: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18105107 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (10) ◽

pp. 5107

Author(s):

Huan Wang ◽

Cody Abbey ◽

Xinshu She ◽

Scott Rozelle ◽

Xiaochen Ma

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Child Mental Health ◽

Primary Schools ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Rural China ◽

Health Problems ◽

Social Contexts ◽

Family Characteristics ◽

Contributing Factors ◽

Cross Sectional

Assessing the mental health problems encountered by school children and understanding the contributing factors are crucial to inform strategies aimed at improving mental health in low-resource contexts. However, few studies have investigated the mental health problems among disadvantaged children in poorer countries. This study examines the prevalence of mental health problems in rural China and their association with child and family characteristics. The study uses survey data from 9696 children in 120 rural primary schools and measures child mental health using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Overall, 17.9% of the sample children were found to be in the abnormal range of the SDQ total difficulties scores. The mean score was 12.93 (SD = 4.94). Abnormal scores were associated with child and family characteristics, including older child age (Odds Ratio, OR = 0.704, 95% CI: 0.611, 0.810; p < 0.001), gender (OR = 1.235, 95% CI: 1.112, 1.371; p < 0.001), and academic performance (OR = 0.421, 95% CI: 0.369, 0.480; p < 0.001). Reading time was found to be protective for mental health. Risk factors include excessive screen time (OR = 1.685, 95% CI: 1.409, 2.016; p < 0.001) and being bullied (OR = 3.695, 95% CI: 3.301, 4.136; p < 0.001). Our study suggests that future mental health illness prevention programs in rural China should consider targeting different aspects of children’s social contexts.

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Stunting Diagnostic and Awareness: Impact assessment study of sociodemographic factors of stunting among school-going children of Pakistan (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.17209 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Mahvish Ponum ◽

Saadia Khan ◽

Osman Hasan ◽

Muhammad Tahir Mahmood ◽

Asad Abbas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rural Areas ◽

Parental Education ◽

Work Capacity ◽

Public Health Issue ◽

P Value ◽

Detailed Knowledge ◽

Age Group ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Study Results

BACKGROUND Stunting is a major public health issue in most of developing countries. Although, its worldwide prevalence is decreasing slowly but the number of stunted children is still rising in Pakistan. Stunting is highly associated with several long-term consequences, including higher rate of mortality and morbidity, deficient cognitive growth, school performance, learning capacity, work capacity and work productivity. To prevent stunting, we proposed Stunting Diagnostic and Education app. This app includes detailed knowledge of stunting and it’s all forms, symptoms, causes, video tutorials and guidelines by the Pediatricians and Nutritionists. OBJECTIVE The aim and objective of this study is to assess the prevalence of stunting in school-going children in Multan District of Punjab Pakistan and to analyze the risk factors associated with stunting in children under and over 5 age. This study presents Stunting Diagnostic and Education app to prevent the stunting in children under 5 age and children over 5 age (where required). METHODS A cross-sectional study has been conducted in schools of Multan District, Pakistan for the period of January 2019 to June 2019. Sample data of 1420 children, aged 4 to 18 years using three age groups, were analyzed by using SPSS version 21.0 to assess the prevalence of stunting and to analyze the main factors associated with it. Chi square test was applied in comparison with rural and urban participants and p-value <0.05 was considered as significant. This study includes distribution of sociodemographic characteristics, parental education, working status of mothers, dietary patterns of school going children and prevalence of stunting in school going children. After getting study results, Stunting Diagnostic and Education app was developed according to the instructions of child experts and nutritionists. RESULTS 354 (24.93%) participants were stunted out of 1420, 11.9 % children were obese and 63.17% children were normal. Out of 354 stunted children, higher ratio of stunting was found in the age group of 8-11 years children with 51.98 percentage. 37.85% stunted children were found in the age group of 4-7 years and 10.17% stunting was found in the age group of 12-18 years children. It was observed in the study that male children were highly stunted than female with 57.91 % and 42.09% respectively. Children living in rural areas were more stunted affected as compared to the children living in urban society with percentage 58.76 and 41.24 respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our study concluded that 24.93% children were stunted, out of which, age group of 8-11 years children were highly stunted. The study showed that the literacy of mother or caregiver had high impact on children’s health. Therefore, Stunting Diagnostic and Education app was developed to educate mothers to prevent stunting.

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Anaemia and Its Relation to Demographic, Socio-economic and Anthropometric Factors in Rural Primary School Children in Hai Phong City, Vietnam

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu11071478 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. 1478 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Hoang ◽

Orellana ◽

Le ◽

Gibson ◽

Worsley ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Primary School ◽

School Children ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Primary Schools ◽

Economic Factor ◽

Primary School Children ◽

Public Health Issue ◽

Microcytic Anaemia ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Normocytic Anaemia

Little is known about the prevalence of anaemia and associated factors in school children in Vietnam. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of anaemia and its subtypes, and the associations of types of anaemia with demographic, socio-economic and anthropometric factors among 6–9-year-old primary school children in rural areas of Hai Phong City, Vietnam. Haemoglobin (Hb) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were measured, and demographic, socio-economic and anthropometric data were collected in 893 children from eight primary schools. The prevalence of anaemia (Hb < 115 g/L) was 12.9% (95% CI: 8.1%, 19.9%), microcytic anaemia (Hb < 115 g/L and MCV < 80 fL) was 7.9% (95% CI: 5.3%, 11.6%) and normocytic anaemia (Hb < 115 g/L and MCV 80–90 fL) was 5.3% (95% CI: 2.9%, 9.5%). No child presented with macrocytic anaemia (Hb < 115 g/L and MCV > 90 fL). Children who were underweight, wasted, or in anthropometric failure (either underweight, stunted or wasted) were more likely to be anaemic (all p ≤ 0.004), and specifically, to have normocytic anaemia (all p ≤ 0.006), than those who were not underweight, wasted or in anthropometric failure. Stunted children were more likely to be anaemic (p = 0.018) than those who were not stunted. Overweight/obese children were less likely to be anaemic (p = 0.026) or have normocytic anaemia (p = 0.038) compared with children who were not overweight/obese. No anthropometric status indicator was associated with the risk of microcytic anaemia. No demographic or socio-economic factor was associated with any type of anaemia. Anaemia remains a public health issue in rural areas in Hai Phong City, Vietnam, and future approaches for its prevention and control should target undernourished primary school children.

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Adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern among Balearic Islands adolescents

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s0007114509993576 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 103 (11) ◽

pp. 1657-1664 ◽

Cited By ~ 43

Author(s):

Elisa Martínez ◽

Rosa Llull ◽

Maria del Mar Bibiloni ◽

Antoni Pons ◽

Josep A. Tur

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Dietary Pattern ◽

Parental Education ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Economic Status ◽

Lifestyle Factors ◽

Balearic Islands ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Mediterranean Dietary Pattern ◽

The Mediterranean

The aim of the present work was to assess the prevalence of the Mediterranean dietary pattern (MDP) in Balearic Islands adolescents, and socio-demographic and lifestyle factors that might determine adherence to the MDP. A cross-sectional nutritional survey was carried out in the Balearic Islands between 2007 and 2008. A random sample (n1231) of the adolescent population (12–17 years old) was interviewed. Dietary questionnaires and a general questionnaire incorporating questions related to socio-economic status, parental education level and lifestyle factors were used. Dietary habits were assessed by means of two 24 h recalls and a quantitative FFQ. Adherence to the MDP was defined according to a score constructed considering the consumption of nine MDP characteristic components: high MUFA:SFA ratio, moderate ethanol consumption, high legumes, cereals and roots, fruits, vegetables and fish consumption, and low consumption of meat and milk. Then, socio-demographic, lifestyle and health status variables that could determine a higher or ower adherence were assessed. The mean adherence was 57·9 (sd8·9) % and the median adherence was 57·3 %. Half of the Balearic Islands adolescents (50·5 %) showed an adherence to the MDP comprised between 52·7 and 62·8 %. By multivariate analyses, a high maternal level of education, increased physical activity, reduced alcohol intake and abstinence from smoking were independent associations of better adherence to the MDP. The promotion of not only the MDP but also the Mediterranean lifestyle, including greater physical activity, should be reinforced among the Balearic younger generations.

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The Relationship between Peer Victimization, Perceived Parental Support, Family Characteristics and Internalizing Symptoms. A Cross-Sectional Study

The Open Family Studies Journal ◽

10.2174/1874922401810010009 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 9-20

Author(s):

Bachler Egon ◽

Nickel Marius ◽

Bachler Herbert

Keyword(s):

Regression Model ◽

Peer Victimization ◽

Parental Support ◽

Internalizing Symptoms ◽

Protective Factor ◽

Parental Behavior ◽

Warning Signs ◽

Family Characteristics ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Perceived Parental Support

Background: Bullying and peer victimization are important, yet underestimated public health issues. Methods: Data were obtained in a sample of N=3454 children at the age of 12.6 (+/- 1.3) in Austria. 75% of the participants were not involved in bullying (uninvolved), 16% were victims, 4% bully/victims and 5% bullies. We applied a multivariate regression model relating to gender, established a classification into bullying and victimization, and investigated parental behavior, family characteristics, physical or mental illness of a parent, as well as internalizing symptoms of pupils. Results: Our data analysis demonstrated gender-related effects and the development of internalizing symptoms: Boys showed fewer internalizing symptoms than girls. Pupils with low perceived parental support displayed higher symptomatic scores. The variables of family break-up and parental health led to similar observations. Victims have an approximately 30% higher score on the internalizing scale than bullies and 60% higher scores than uninvolved. The results of the regression model indicated that these predictors explained 25% of the variance. Conclusion: School policies, teachers, parents, the media, school physicians, as well as GPs must recognize early warning signs of bullying and diligently assess risk behaviors. Early social support (by parents and teachers) is discussed as an important protective factor.

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Factors associated with the development of skin allergies in premature newborns in the first year of life

Revista Gaúcha de Enfermagem ◽

10.1590/1983-1447.2021.20200261 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 42 ◽

Author(s):

Leonardo Bigolin Jantsch ◽

Bruna Paola de Lima Bridi ◽

Giovana Dornelles Callegaro Higashi ◽

Andrea Moreira Arrué ◽

Diúlia Calegari de Oliveira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Preterm Infants ◽

Protective Factor ◽

Newborn Infants ◽

Late Preterm ◽

First Year ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Late Preterm Infants ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Skin Allergy ◽

First Year Of Life

ABSTRACT Objective To identify the factors associated with the development of skin allergies in the first year of life in moderate and late preterm infants. Method: This is a cross-sectional study with 151 moderate and late preterm infants, born between May 2016 and May 2017. Participants were evaluated in the 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th months of life, in telephone interviews. Statistical analyzes were performed in the SPSS software with frequency comparison tests and logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of skin allergy, in the perception of caregivers, among late and moderate preterm infants was 16%. Factors such as being admitted to neonatal intensive care (p = 0.006) and not being breastfed (p = 0.041) showed a significant association with the development of skin allergies in the 3rd and 12th months of life, respectively. Conclusion: Skin allergy, in the perception of caregivers, is more severe in newborn infants who have clinical respiratory and gastrointestinal manifestations, be it conditioning or cause-effect. Breastfeeding proved to be a protective factor in the first year of life.

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Physical activity, sedentary behaviours and dietary habits among Kuwaiti adolescents: gender differences

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980013002218 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 17 (9) ◽

pp. 2045-2052 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Ahmad Allafi ◽

Ahmad R Al-Haifi ◽

Mohammad A Al-Fayez ◽

Buthaina I Al-Athari ◽

Fahhad A Al-Ajmi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Dietary Practices ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Collaborative Project ◽

Sedentary Behaviours ◽

Skipping Breakfast ◽

Sedentary Activities

AbstractObjectiveThe present study was designed to assess physical activity, sedentary behaviours and dietary habits among adolescents in Kuwait and to compare the differences between genders.DesignA cross-sectional study was conducted among secondary-school children who participated in the Arab Teens Lifestyle Study (ATLS), a multi-centre collaborative project.SettingSecondary schools in Kuwait.SubjectsAdolescents (463 boys and 443 girls), aged 14–19 years.ResultsNearly half (44·6 %) of the boys and three-quarters (76·0 %) of the girls did not meet the recommended daily physical activity levels (≥2520 MET-min/week, moderate to vigorous intensity). Nearly all (96·3 % of boys and 96·7 % of girls) adolescents reported spending >2 h/d on screen time, with girls found to spend more time per day watching television (P= 0·02) and using a computer (P< 0·001). The large majority of the adolescents reported skipping breakfast and not having milk and milk products, vegetables and fruit daily, while nearly two-thirds of the boys and girls had sugar-sweetened drinks on more than 3 d/week. Compared with girls, boys reported consuming more fruit (3·4v.2·8 times/week,P= 0·001), dairy products (4·5v.3·6 times/week,P= 0·001) and energy drinks (1·3v.1·1 times/week,P= 0·003).ConclusionsThe majority of the Kuwaiti adolescents, especially girls, do not perform adequate physical activity, spend more time on sedentary activities and have unhealthy dietary practices. The findings emphasize an urgent need for implementing an appropriate intervention for promoting physical activity, healthy eating and reducing sedentary behaviours among these children.

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Parental education and frequency of food consumption in European children: the IDEFICS study

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s136898001200290x ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 487-498 ◽

Cited By ~ 49

Author(s):

Juan Miguel Fernández-Alvira ◽

Theodora Mouratidou ◽

Karin Bammann ◽

Antje Hebestreit ◽

Gianvincenzo Barba ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Food Consumption ◽

Primary Schools ◽

Parental Education ◽

Education Level ◽

Analysis Of Covariance ◽

Baseline Survey ◽

Low Fat ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Parental Education Level

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the relationship between parental education level and the consumption frequency of obesity-related foods in European children.DesignThe analysis was based on data from the cross-sectional baseline survey of a prospective cohort study. The effects of parental education on food consumption were explored using analysis of covariance and logistic regression.SettingPrimary schools and pre-schools of selected regions in Italy, Estonia, Cyprus, Belgium, Sweden, Hungary, Germany and Spain.SubjectsParticipants (n 14 426) of the IDEFICS baseline cohort study aged 2 to 9 years.ResultsParental education level affected the intake of obesity-related foods in children. Children in the low and medium parental education level groups had lower odds of more frequently eating low-sugar and low-fat foods (vegetables, fruits, pasta/noodles/rice and wholemeal bread) and higher odds of more frequently eating high-sugar and high-fat foods (fried potatoes, fruits with sugar and nuts, snacks/desserts and sugared beverages; P < 0·001). The largest odds ratio differences were found in the low category (reference category: high) for vegetables (OR = 0·56; 95 % CI 0·47, 0·65), fruits (OR = 0·56; 95 % CI 0·48, 0·65), fruits with sugar and nuts (OR = 2·23; 95 % CI 1·92, 2·59) and sugared beverages (OR = 2·01; 95 % CI 1·77, 2·37).ConclusionsLow parental education level was associated with intakes of sugar-rich and fatty foods among children, while high parental education level was associated with intakes of low-sugar and low-fat foods. These findings should be taken into account in public health interventions, with more targeted policies aiming at an improvement of children's diet.

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Changes in food habits amongst Norwegian adolescents in 2016 and 2019 according to gender and socioeconomic status

Food & Nutrition Research ◽

10.29219/fnr.v65.6262 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Tonje H. Stea ◽

Kristin Holvik ◽

Caroline S. Bryntesen ◽

Jannicke B. Myhre

Keyword(s):

Gender Gap ◽

Parental Education ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

University Education ◽

Whole Grain ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Food And Beverages ◽

Sweetened Beverages ◽

Reduced Frequency ◽

Time Period

Background: Monitoring dietary habits is important in order to identify risk groups and as a basis for targeted public health initiatives. Objective: To study trends in consumption of selected foods and beverages from 2016 to 2019 amongst Norwegian adolescents according to gender and parental education. Design: Repeated cross-sectional study amongst 25,996 adolescents, aged 14–17 years old. Consumption of selected food and beverages was measured by an online food frequency questionnaire and general linear models were applied to estimate changes in dietary habits. Results: Between 2016 and 2019, we observed a reduced frequency of consumption of vegetables (from 4.7 to 4.4 times/week), fruit and berries (from 4.4 to 4.2 times/week), whole-grain bread (from 5.1 to 4.2 times/week), and fish (from 2.3 to 1.6 times/week). During this time period, we also observed a reduced frequency of consumption of salty snacks (from 2.1 to 1.9 times/week), sweets (from 2.3 to 2.0 times/week), sugar-sweetened beverages (from 2.8 to 2.6 times/week), and artificially sweetened beverages (from 2.2 to 1.5 times/week). In girls, there was a decrease in the reported frequency of consumption of fruit and berries (−4%, vs. no change in boys). The decrease in consumption frequency of whole-grain bread was larger in girls than in boys (−19% vs. −14%). Further, a 17% decrease in consumption of sweets was observed amongst adolescents with no or only one parent having college/university education compared to a 13% decrease in adolescents whose both parents had college/university education. Conclusion: Our results showed a decrease in frequency of consumption of selected healthy and unhealthy food and beverages amongst adolescents between 2016 and 2019. The gender gap in consumption of fruit and berries and whole-grain bread seemed to decrease during this time period, and the socio-economic gap in consumption of sweets seemed to disappear.

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Is college education an equalizer for social disparities in health literacy? A case study in Shanghai, China

Global Health Promotion ◽

10.1177/1757975917731576 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 26 (3) ◽

pp. 62-70

Author(s):

Anning Hu ◽

Xiaozhao Yousef Yang

Keyword(s):

Health Literacy ◽

Parental Education ◽

College Education ◽

Least Square ◽

First Year ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health Related ◽

Ordinary Least Square Regression ◽

The Impact ◽

Education Process

Objectives: The aim of the study was to illustrate the immediate effect of the college education process (across college grades) on the strength of association between parental education and college attendees’ health literacy. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis was conducted based on data from a random sample of students in one university in Shanghai, China ( N = 574). Exploratory factor analysis was used to generate factors of different dimensions of health literacy. Ordinary least square regression models were estimated to investigate how college education process alters the family-based disparity in health literacy. Results: The link between parental education and health-related skills did not vary significantly across grades of participants, but participants in their third ( p < 0.05) and fourth year ( p < 0.001) revealed a significantly weaker association between health-promoting proactivity and parental education, relative to the first-year counterparts. Also, the impact of parental education on health-related attitudes significantly declined among the fourth-year seniors, compared with first-year students ( p < 0.05). Conclusions: Higher education experience is an important mechanism to alleviate the socioeconomic gap in health literacy. Such an equalizer effect, nevertheless, is contingent on the particular dimensions of health literacy.

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