scholarly journals Nutritional Strategies for Childhood Obesity Prevention

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 532
Author(s):  
Elena Fornari ◽  
Marco Brusati ◽  
Claudio Maffeis
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Obesity Prevention ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Multidimensional Approach ◽  
Childhood Obesity Prevention ◽  
Nutritional Interventions ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Integrated Programs

Background: Reducing the spread of obesity represents a challenge for clinicians in which obesity prevention plays a key role in achieving this purpose. The aim of this review is to analyze the nutritional interventions that can be implemented to prevent childhood obesity. Methods: Searching PubMed and Cochrane Library between 2019 and 2021. Further searching with no date range for articles selected for their specific relevance in the pediatric area or for their scientific relevance. A total of 871 articles were identified and 90 were included. Results: We organized the results of the selected articles into age groups, and according to the subjects targeted for interventions or to the site of interventions, reserving an in-depth analysis on specific nutritional aspects. Promotion of breastfeeding, reduction of protein content of formulated milks, and diet of the first 12–24 months, involving family and schools in interventions that promote physical activity and healthy diet, are promising strategies for reduction of the risk of obesity. To increase the efficacy of interventions, a multidimensional approach is crucial. Conclusions: A multidimensional approach, which takes into consideration different areas of intervention, is pivotal for childhood obesity prevention. Integrated programs involving several components (nutrition and physical activity at first) at different levels (individual, family, school, and institutional) are crucial.

scholarly journals Childhood Obesity Prevention in Africa: A Systematic Review of Intervention Effectiveness and Implementation

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 1212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonja Klingberg ◽  
Catherine Draper ◽  
Lisa Micklesfield ◽  
Sara Benjamin-Neelon ◽  
Esther van Sluijs
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Obesity Prevention ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Childhood Obesity Prevention ◽  
Dietary Behaviours ◽  
Process Evaluations

Childhood obesity is of increasing concern in many parts of Africa. We conducted a systematic search and review of published literature on behavioural childhood obesity prevention interventions. A literature search identified peer-reviewed literature from seven databases, and unindexed African journals, including experimental studies targeting children age 2–18 years in African countries, published in any language since 1990. All experimental designs were eligible; outcomes of interest were both behavioural (physical activity, dietary behaviours) and anthropometric (weight, body mass index, body composition). We also searched for process evaluations or other implementation observations. Methodological quality was assessed; evidence was synthesised narratively as a meta-analysis was not possible. Seventeen articles describing 14 interventions in three countries (South Africa, Tunisia and Uganda) were included. Effect scores indicated no overall effect on dietary behaviours, with some beneficial effects on physical activity and anthropometric outcomes. The quality of evidence was predominantly weak. We identified barriers and facilitators to successful interventions, and these were largely resource-related. Our systematic review highlights research gaps in targeting alternative settings to schools, and younger age groups, and a need for more rigorous designs for evaluating effectiveness. We also recommend process evaluations being used more widely.

Childhood Obesity Prevention in South Africa: Media, Social Influences, and Social Marketing Opportunities

2009 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Douglas Evans ◽  
Jonathan Blitstein ◽  
Christina Lynch ◽  
Anniza De Villiers ◽  
Catherine Draper ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Social Marketing ◽  
Obesity Prevention ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Childhood Obesity Prevention ◽  
Marketing Messages

Obesity and childhood overweight is a worldwide epidemic that has significant long-term public health implications both in developed and developing countries. South Africa, which has a well-documented burden of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases, now also has an increasing burden of obesity and noncommunicable diseases (NCD) such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. This article describes results of formative research on childhood obesity risk factors with parents of school-age children in the Western Cape region of South Africa. We interviewed parents living in low-income urban, rural, and township communities on nutrition and physical activity, media use, and potential social marketing messages. Study aims were threefold: to collect formative information on media use and health knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors to support the development of an obesity prevention social marketing campaign targeting youth; to identify parents' preferred sources of health information, and to obtain reactions to potential obesity prevention social marketing messages. Overall, the family and community nutrition and physical activity environments in the Western Cape are highly complex. Parents report major safety concerns, lack of organized markets or other sources of healthy foods in rural and township areas, and lack of resources for physical activity. We also identified preferred sources for health information primarily through print and radio, obtained information about possible channels to reach parents, and identified potential message strategies to promote healthy lifestyles similar to some HIV/AIDS social marketing campaigns in Africa. This information supports future childhood obesity prevention social marketing.

scholarly journals Obstacles and Enablers on the Way towards Integrated Physical Activity Policies for Childhood Obesity Prevention: An Exploration of Local Policy Officials’ Views

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna-Marie Hendriks ◽  
Jolanda M. Habraken ◽  
Stef P. J. Kremers ◽  
Maria W. J. Jansen ◽  
Hans van Oers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Obesity Prevention ◽  
Innovation Process ◽  
Intersectoral Collaboration ◽  
Local Policy ◽  
Childhood Obesity Prevention ◽  
Operational Level ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Limited Physical Activity

Background. Limited physical activity (PA) is a risk factor for childhood obesity. In Netherlands, as in many other countries worldwide, local policy officials bear responsibility for integrated PA policies, involving both health and nonhealth domains. In practice, its development seems hampered. We explore which obstacles local policy officials perceive in their effort.Methods. Fifteen semistructured interviews were held with policy officials from health and nonhealth policy domains, working at strategic, tactic, and operational level, in three relatively large municipalities. Questions focused on exploring perceived barriers for integrated PA policies. The interviews were deductively coded by applying the Behavior Change Ball framework.Findings. Childhood obesity prevention appeared on the governmental agenda and all officials understood the multicausal nature. However, operational officials had not yet developed a tradition to develop integrated PA policies due to insufficient boundary-spanning skills and structural and cultural differences between the domains. Tactical level officials did not sufficiently support intersectoral collaboration and strategic level officials mainly focused on public-private partnerships.Conclusion. Developing integrated PA policies is a bottom-up innovation process that needs to be supported by governmental leaders through better guidingorganizational processesleading to such policies. Operational level officials can assist in this by making progress in intersectoral collaboration visible.

scholarly journals Keeping the faith: Receptiveness, capacity and acceptability of Islamic religious settings to deliver childhood obesity prevention intervention

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sufyan Abid Dogra ◽  
Kiran Rai ◽  
Sally Barber ◽  
Rosemary RC McEachan ◽  
Peymane Adab ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Obesity Prevention ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Childhood Obesity Prevention ◽  
Prevention Intervention ◽  
The Uk

Abstract Keeping the faith: Receptiveness, capacity and acceptability of Islamic religious settings to deliver childhood obesity prevention interventionBackground: Childhood obesity rates among South Asian populations in the UK are significantly high. 10% of childhood population in the UK are of South Asian origin, majority of them follow Islamic faith and attend Islamic religious settings (IRS) daily after school. IRS may be appropriate channels for obesity prevention initiatives; however there is limited evidence for this approach. Methods: Using a qualitative research methodology, we conducted 20 indepth interviews with parents of 5-11 years old children attending IRS, 20 indepth interviews with Islamic leaders, and 3 focus group discussions with 26 managers and workers of IRS in Bradford and Birmingham in the UK. The guides for interviews and focus groups, tailored to each group of participants, were developed from a literature review and prior learning from the results of other work packages in the same study. Interviews and focus group discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed thematically. Results: IRS are receptive to delivering a childhood obesity prevention intervention. Most of them have the capacity and the delivery would be acceptable to parents of children attending these settings. All participants viewed Prophet Muhammad’s physical fitness, food and his attitude towards physical activity and maintaining healthy lifestyle as the best role model to follow. Managers and workers in IRS showed willingness to conduct physical activity sessions for South Asian boys and girls and emphasised the need to have female instructors and role models to encourage South Asian girls. Practical barriers for the intervention delivery were poor funding systems and time constraints for managers and workers. Conclusion: IRS can deliver childhood obesity prevention interventions. Interventions should be co-designed, culturally/religiously sensitive and combine the scientific guidelines on healthy living with Islamic narrative on importance of physical activity and healthy diet consumption and should involve local place-based groups for delivery.

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