scholarly journals Neuropsychological and Neurophysiological Indicators of General and Food-Specific Impulsivity in Children with Overweight and Obesity: A Pilot Study

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1983 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricarda Schmidt ◽  
Caroline Sebert ◽  
Christine Kösling ◽  
Martin Grunwald ◽  
Anja Hilbert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Risk Taking ◽  
Resting State ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Wave Band ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Risk Taking Behavior ◽  
Band Activity

Impulsivity, particularly towards food, is a potential risk factor for increased energy intake and the development and maintenance of obesity in children. However, neuropsychological and neurophysiological indicators of general and food-specific impulsivity and their association with children’s weight status are poorly understood. This pilot study examined electroencephalography (EEG) frequency band profiles during eyes-closed and eyes-open resting state in n = 12 children with overweight or obesity versus n = 22 normal-weight controls and their link to child- and parent-reported and experimentally assessed impulsivity of children (e.g., risk-taking behavior, approach-avoidance behavior towards food). The main results indicated that children with overweight/obesity versus normal weight showed significantly increased delta and decreased alpha band activity during eyes-closed resting state. Across the total sample, EEG slow-wave band activity was particularly linked to self- and parent-reported impulsivity and greater risk-taking behavior, but not to approach behavior towards food, after controlling for children’s age and weight status. The identification of specific EEG patterns in children with excess weight may provide a new basis for developing neurophysiological diagnostic and treatment approaches for childhood obesity. Future studies with larger samples and longitudinal designs are needed to replicate the present findings and test their stability over time.

Is overweight/obesity a risk factor for atopic allergic disease in prepubertal children? A case–control study

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aysel Vehapoglu ◽  
Zeynep Ebru Cakın ◽  
Feyza Ustabas Kahraman ◽  
Mustafa Atilla Nursoy ◽  
Ali Toprak
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Allergic Disease ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Prepubertal Children ◽  
Body Weight Status ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Objectives It is unclear whether body weight status (underweight/normal weight/overweight/obese) is associated with allergic disease. Our objective was to investigate the relationship between body weight status (body mass index; BMI) and atopic allergic disease in prepubertal children, and to compare children with atopic allergic diseases with non atopic healthy children. Methods A prospective cross sectional study of 707 prepubertal children aged 3–10 years was performed; the participants were 278 atopic children with physician-diagnosed allergic disease (allergic rhinitis and asthma) (serum total IgE level >100 kU/l and eosinophilia >4%, or positivity to at least one allergen in skin test) and 429 non atopic healthy age- and sex-matched controls. Data were collected between December 2019 and November 2020 at the Pediatric General and Pediatric Allergy Outpatient Clinics of Bezmialem Vakıf University Hospital. Results Underweight was observed in 11.6% of all participants (10.8% of atopic children, 12.2% of healthy controls), and obesity in 14.9% of all participants (18.0% of atopic children, 12.8% of controls). Obese (OR 1.71; 95% CI: 1.08–2.71, p=0.021), and overweight status (OR 1.62; 95% CI: 1.06–2.50, p=0.026) were associated with an increased risk of atopic allergic disease compared to normal weight in pre-pubertal children. This association did not differ by gender. There was no relationship between underweight status and atopic allergic disease (OR 1.03; 95% CI: 0.63–1.68, p=0.894). Conclusions Overweight and obesity were associated with an increased risk of atopic allergic disease compared to normal weight among middle-income and high-income pre pubertal children living in Istanbul.

scholarly journals A Pilot Study Investigating a Novel Non-Linear Measure of Eyes Open versus Eyes Closed EEG Synchronization in People with Alzheimer’s Disease and Healthy Controls

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Blackburn ◽  
Yifan Zhao ◽  
Matteo De Marco ◽  
Simon Bell ◽  
Fei He ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Resting State ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Linear Measure ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Causality Test ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Eyes Open

Background: The incidence of Alzheimer disease (AD) is increasing with the ageing population. The development of low cost non-invasive diagnostic aids for AD is a research priority. This pilot study investigated whether an approach based on a novel dynamic quantitative parametric EEG method could detect abnormalities in people with AD. Methods: 20 patients with probable AD, 20 matched healthy controls (HC) and 4 patients with probable fronto temporal dementia (FTD) were included. All had detailed neuropsychology along with structural, resting state fMRI and EEG. EEG data were analyzed using the Error Reduction Ratio-causality (ERR-causality) test that can capture both linear and nonlinear interactions between different EEG recording areas. The 95% confidence intervals of EEG levels of bi-centroparietal synchronization were estimated for eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC) states. Results: In the EC state, AD patients and HC had very similar levels of bi-centro parietal synchronization; but in the EO resting state, patients with AD had significantly higher levels of synchronization (AD = 0.44; interquartile range (IQR) 0.41 vs. HC = 0.15; IQR 0.17, p < 0.0001). The EO/EC synchronization ratio, a measure of the dynamic changes between the two states, also showed significant differences between these two groups (AD ratio 0.78 versus HC ratio 0.37 p < 0.0001). EO synchronization was also significantly different between AD and FTD (FTD = 0.075; IQR 0.03, p < 0.0001). However, the EO/EC ratio was not informative in the FTD group due to very low levels of synchronization in both states (EO and EC). Conclusion: In this pilot work, resting state quantitative EEG shows significant differences between healthy controls and patients with AD. This approach has the potential to develop into a useful non-invasive and economical diagnostic aid in AD.

scholarly journals Rapidly increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity in older Ghanaian adults from 2007-2015: evidence from WHO-SAGE Waves 1 & 2

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stella T. Lartey ◽  
Costan G. Magnussen ◽  
Lei Si ◽  
Godfred O. Boateng ◽  
Barbara de Graaff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Household Wealth ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Central Adiposity ◽  
Obesity Prevalence ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity

AbstractBackgroundStudies on changes in the prevalence and determinants of obesity in older adults living in sub-Saharan Africa are limited. We examined recent changes in obesity prevalence and associated factors for older adults in Ghana between 2007/08 and 2014/15.MethodsData on adults aged 50 years and older in Ghana were collected in the WHO SAGE Wave 1 (2007/08; n=4158) and Wave 2 (2014/15; n=1663). The weighted prevalence of obesity, overweight, normal weight and underweight, and of high central adiposity was compared in Waves 1 and 2. Multinomial and binomial logistic regressions were used to examine whether the determinants of weight status based on objectively measured body mass index and waist circumference changed between the two survey periods.ResultsThe prevalence of obesity (Wave 1=10.2%, 95% CI: 8.9-11.7%; Wave 2=15.0%, 95% CI: 12.6-17.7%) and overweight (Wave 1=19.6%, 95% CI: 18.0-21.4%; Wave 2=24.5%, 95% CI: 21.7-27.5%) was higher in Wave 2 than Wave 1 and more than half of the population had high central adiposity (Wave 1=57.7%, 95% CI: 55.4-60.1%; Wave 2=66.9%, 95% CI: 63.7-70.0%) in both study periods. Obesity prevalence was 16% lower in males and 55% higher in females comparing Wave 1 to Wave 2. Female sex, urban residence, and high household wealth were associated with higher odds of overweight/obesity and high central adiposity. Those aged 70+ years had lower odds of obesity in both study waves. In Wave 2, females with physical activity level were more likely to be obese.ConclusionOver the 7-year period between survey waves, the population prevalence of overweight and obesity increased by 25% and 47%, respectively, while underweight reduced by 43%. These findings differed considerably by sex, which points to differential impacts of past initiatives to reduce overweight/obesity, potential high-risk groups in Ghana, and the need to increase surveillance.

A Possible Adjusting Procedure for Studying Outcomes of Risk-Taking

1998 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 1047-1050 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark R. Dixon ◽  
Linda J. Hayes ◽  
Ruth Anne Rehfeldt ◽  
Ralph E. Ebbs
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Risk Taking ◽  
Quantitative Measure ◽  
Original Equation ◽  
Future Risk ◽  
Risk Taking Behavior ◽  
Larger Sample ◽  
Concurrent Analysis

The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the role of consequences in the maintenance and termination of risk-taking behavior. In 1987 Ladouceur, Mayrand, and Tourigny proposed a quantitative measure of risk-taking based on roulette playing, but this metric did not include the outcome of that risk. Therefore, their original equation may be adjusted to incorporate a concurrent analysis of the consequences of risk-taking to understand better individual differences with respect to risk-taking behavior. An experiment with six subjects, 3 experienced and 3 inexperienced, who played roulette was used to evaluate the accuracy of the equation's predictions. Replication with a much larger sample is required to substantiate the suggestion that this adjustment would be more accurate than the original equation in predicting future risk-taking.

scholarly journals Taste Sensitivity and Taste Preference among Malay Children Aged 7 to 12 Years in Kuala Lumpur—A Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-256
Author(s):  
Ler Sheang Lim ◽  
Xian Hui Tang ◽  
Wai Yew Yang ◽  
Shu Hwa Ong ◽  
Nenad Naumovski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Food Preferences ◽  
Taste Preference ◽  
Sweet Taste ◽  
Food Samples ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
Taste Sensitivity ◽  
Kuala Lumpur ◽  
Control Study

The taste and food preferences in children can affect their food intake and body weight. Bitter and sweet taste sensitivities were identified as primary taste contributors to children’s preference for consuming various foods. This pilot study aimed to determine the taste sensitivity and preference for bitter and sweet tastes in a sample of Malaysian children. A case–control study was conducted among 15 pairs of Malay children aged 7 to 12 years. Seven solutions at different concentrations of 6-n-propylthiouracil and sucrose were prepared for testing bitterness and sweet sensitivity, respectively. The intensity of both bitter and sweet sensitivity was measured using a 100 mm Labelled Magnitude Scale (LMS), while the taste preference was rated using a 5-point Likert scale. The participants were better at identifying bitter than sweet taste (median score 6/7 vs. 4/7). No significant differences were detected for both tastes between normal-weight and overweight groups [bitter: 350 vs. 413, p = 0.273; sweet: 154 vs. 263, p = 0.068], as well as in Likert readings (bitter 9 vs. 8: p = 0.490; sweet 22 vs. 22: p = 0.677). In this sample of Malay children, the participants were more sensitive to bitterness than sweetness, yet presented similar taste sensitivity and preference irrespective of their weight status. Future studies using whole food samples are warranted to better characterize potential taste sensitivity and preference in children.

scholarly journals A User-Centered Chatbot (Wakamola) to Collect Linked Data in Population Networks to Support Studies of Overweight and Obesity Causes: Design and Pilot Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabina Asensio-Cuesta ◽  
Vicent Blanes-Selva ◽  
J Alberto Conejero ◽  
Ana Frigola ◽  
Manuel G Portolés ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Linked Data ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
User Centered Design ◽  
Diet Patterns ◽  
Status Score ◽  
User Centered

BACKGROUND Obesity and overweight are a serious health problem worldwide with multiple and connected causes. Simultaneously, chatbots are becoming increasingly popular as a way to interact with users in mobile health apps. OBJECTIVE This study reports the user-centered design and feasibility study of a chatbot to collect linked data to support the study of individual and social overweight and obesity causes in populations. METHODS We first studied the users’ needs and gathered users’ graphical preferences through an open survey on 52 wireframes designed by 150 design students; it also included questions about sociodemographics, diet and activity habits, the need for overweight and obesity apps, and desired functionality. We also interviewed an expert panel. We then designed and developed a chatbot. Finally, we conducted a pilot study to test feasibility. RESULTS We collected 452 answers to the survey and interviewed 4 specialists. Based on this research, we developed a Telegram chatbot named Wakamola structured in six sections: personal, diet, physical activity, social network, user's status score, and project information. We defined a user's status score as a normalized sum (0-100) of scores about diet (frequency of eating 50 foods), physical activity, BMI, and social network. We performed a pilot to evaluate the chatbot implementation among 85 healthy volunteers. Of 74 participants who completed all sections, we found 8 underweight people (11%), 5 overweight people (7%), and no obesity cases. The mean BMI was 21.4 kg/m<sup>2</sup> (normal weight). The most consumed foods were olive oil, milk and derivatives, cereals, vegetables, and fruits. People walked 10 minutes on 5.8 days per week, slept 7.02 hours per day, and were sitting 30.57 hours per week. Moreover, we were able to create a social network with 74 users, 178 relations, and 12 communities. CONCLUSIONS The Telegram chatbot Wakamola is a feasible tool to collect data from a population about sociodemographics, diet patterns, physical activity, BMI, and specific diseases. Besides, the chatbot allows the connection of users in a social network to study overweight and obesity causes from both individual and social perspectives.

scholarly journals A User-Centered Chatbot (Wakamola) to Collect Linked Data in Population Networks to Support Studies of Overweight and Obesity Causes: Design and Pilot Study

10.2196/17503 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. e17503
Author(s):  
Sabina Asensio-Cuesta ◽  
Vicent Blanes-Selva ◽  
J Alberto Conejero ◽  
Ana Frigola ◽  
Manuel G Portolés ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Linked Data ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
User Centered Design ◽  
Diet Patterns ◽  
Status Score ◽  
User Centered

Background Obesity and overweight are a serious health problem worldwide with multiple and connected causes. Simultaneously, chatbots are becoming increasingly popular as a way to interact with users in mobile health apps. Objective This study reports the user-centered design and feasibility study of a chatbot to collect linked data to support the study of individual and social overweight and obesity causes in populations. Methods We first studied the users’ needs and gathered users’ graphical preferences through an open survey on 52 wireframes designed by 150 design students; it also included questions about sociodemographics, diet and activity habits, the need for overweight and obesity apps, and desired functionality. We also interviewed an expert panel. We then designed and developed a chatbot. Finally, we conducted a pilot study to test feasibility. Results We collected 452 answers to the survey and interviewed 4 specialists. Based on this research, we developed a Telegram chatbot named Wakamola structured in six sections: personal, diet, physical activity, social network, user's status score, and project information. We defined a user's status score as a normalized sum (0-100) of scores about diet (frequency of eating 50 foods), physical activity, BMI, and social network. We performed a pilot to evaluate the chatbot implementation among 85 healthy volunteers. Of 74 participants who completed all sections, we found 8 underweight people (11%), 5 overweight people (7%), and no obesity cases. The mean BMI was 21.4 kg/m2 (normal weight). The most consumed foods were olive oil, milk and derivatives, cereals, vegetables, and fruits. People walked 10 minutes on 5.8 days per week, slept 7.02 hours per day, and were sitting 30.57 hours per week. Moreover, we were able to create a social network with 74 users, 178 relations, and 12 communities. Conclusions The Telegram chatbot Wakamola is a feasible tool to collect data from a population about sociodemographics, diet patterns, physical activity, BMI, and specific diseases. Besides, the chatbot allows the connection of users in a social network to study overweight and obesity causes from both individual and social perspectives.

scholarly journals The effect of body mass index on blood pressure in adults with hypertension

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 77
Author(s):  
Tushar Balchand Chudiwal ◽  
Anil Gulingayya Nanjannavar
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Randomized Study ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Obese Patients ◽  
Hypertensive Patients

Background: We investigated the association of body mass index (BMI) measurements in adult hypertensive patients with normal weight and overweight including obesity.Methods: This was a randomized study performed in Udaipur, India, on 200 hypertensive patients aged (32-90) years. Patients were divided according to their body weight (normal weight vs overweight and obesity) into two groups. Weight, height and BMI were measured to estimate the various categories of bodyweight.Results: We found significant relations between body weight and blood pressure. Patients with normal weight had a normal blood pressure. However, a significant increase in blood pressure was observed in patients with overweight and obesity.Conclusions: BMI is related with weight status in hypertensive overweight / obese patients.  

Weight Status, Physical Activity, and Vascular Health in 9- to 12-Year-Old Children

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather M. Hayes ◽  
Joey C. Eisenmann ◽  
Karin Pfeiffer ◽  
Joseph J. Carlson
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
C Reactive Protein ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Activity Groups

Background:The purpose of this study was to determine the independent and joint association of weight status and physical activity on resting blood pressure and C-reactive protein in children.Methods:Participants were 174 (71 males, 103 females) children (mean age = 10.5 ± 0.4 yrs). Physical activity was self-reported, body mass index was calculated from measured height and body mass, and blood pressure was measured according to standard procedures. A subset of 91 children had C-reactive protein measured by fingerstick blood sample. Four weight/physical activity groups were created by cross tabulation of weight status classification and physical activity level.Results:The prevalence of low physical activity (< 5 days/wk moderate-vigorous activity) did not differ between overweight and normal weight children (50%). Physical activity was not correlated with C-reactive protein (r = 0.01; P = 0.91) and C-reactive protein was not significantly different between physical activity groups (P = 0.87). Physical activity did not modify the difference in blood pressure or C-reactive protein within weight categories.Conclusions:Fatness (specifically overweight and obesity), but not physical activity, was shown to be associated with blood pressure and C-reactive protein levels in children. Physical activity did not attenuate blood pressure or C-reactive protein in overweight and obese children.

scholarly journals Predicting Risk-Taking Behavior from Prefrontal Resting-State Activity and Personality

PLoS ONE ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. e76861 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bettina Studer ◽  
Andreas Pedroni ◽  
Jörg Rieskamp
Keyword(s):  
Risk Taking ◽  
Resting State ◽  
State Activity ◽  
Risk Taking Behavior
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