scholarly journals Novel e-Health Applications for the Management of Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Children and Adolescents in Greece

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1380
Author(s):  
Athanasia Tragomalou ◽  
George Moschonis ◽  
Yannis Manios ◽  
Penio Kassari ◽  
Ioannis Ioakimidis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
National Registry ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Major Health Problem ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
Health Technologies ◽  
Health Applications

Obesity in childhood and adolescence represents a major health problem. Novel e-Health technologies have been developed in order to provide a comprehensive and personalized plan of action for the prevention and management of overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence. We used information and communication technologies to develop a “National Registry for the Prevention and Management of Overweight and Obesity” in order to register online children and adolescents nationwide, and to guide pediatricians and general practitioners regarding the management of overweight or obese subjects. Furthermore, intelligent multi-level information systems and specialized artificial intelligence algorithms are being developed with a view to offering precision and personalized medical management to obese or overweight subjects. Moreover, the Big Data against Childhood Obesity platform records behavioral data objectively by using inertial sensors and Global Positioning System (GPS) and combines them with data of the environment, in order to assess the full contextual framework that is associated with increased body mass index (BMI). Finally, a computerized decision-support tool was developed to assist pediatric health care professionals in delivering personalized nutrition and lifestyle optimization advice to overweight or obese children and their families. These e-Health applications are expected to play an important role in the management of overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence.

scholarly journals A Comprehensive, Multidisciplinary, Personalized, Lifestyle Intervention Program is Associated with Increased Leukocyte Telomere Length in Children and Adolescents with Overweight and Obesity

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 2682
Author(s):  
George Paltoglou ◽  
Christina Raftopoulou ◽  
Nicolas C. Nicolaides ◽  
Sofia M. Genitsaridi ◽  
Sofia I. Karampatsou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Telomere Length ◽  
Lifestyle Intervention ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Initial Assessment ◽  
Biological Aging ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Lifestyle Interventions ◽  
Lifestyle Intervention Program

Leucocyte telomere length (LTL) is a robust marker of biological aging and is associated with obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors in childhood and adolescence. We investigated the effect of a structured, comprehensive, multidisciplinary, personalized, lifestyle intervention program of healthy diet and physical exercise on LTL in 508 children and adolescents (239 males, 269 females; 282 prepubertal, 226 pubertal), aged 10.14 ± 0.13 years. Participants were classified as obese (n = 267, 52.6%), overweight (n = 174, 34.2%), or of normal BMI (n = 67, 13.2%) according to the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) cutoff points and were studied prospectively for one year. We demonstrated that LTL increased significantly after 1 year of the lifestyle interventions, irrespective of gender, pubertal status, or body mass index (BMI). Waist circumference was the best negative predictor of LTL at initial assessment. The implementation of the lifestyle interventions also resulted in a significant improvement in clinical (BMI, BMI z-score and waist to height ratio) and body composition indices of obesity, inflammatory markers, hepatic enzymes, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), and lipid profile in all participants. These findings indicate that the increased LTL may be associated with a more favorable metabolic profile and decreased morbidity later in life.

scholarly journals Antioxidant Enzymes Haplotypes and Polymorphisms Associated with Obesity in Mexican Children

Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 684
Author(s):  
Paula Costa-Urrutia ◽  
Aline Mariana Flores-Buendía ◽  
Iván Ascencio-Montiel ◽  
Jacqueline Solares-Tlapechco ◽  
Omar Noel Medina-Campos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
The Other ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Fat Percentage ◽  
Major Health Problem ◽  
Mexican Children ◽  
Genome Wide

Obesity is a major health problem worldwide and constitutes a sanitary emergency in Mexico, especially childhood obesity. Several studies have proved the relationship between obesity and oxidative stress and the influence of genetic predisposition. This work was aimed to analyze the association of antioxidant enzyme polymorphisms with overweight and obesity in Mexican children and adolescents. A case-control study was performed in 585 children and adolescents aged 3 to 17 years, using two criteria to classify obesity: body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage (BFP). Anthropometric and biochemical measurements were carried out, and malondialdehyde serum levels were determined. Genotyping was done with the Axiom Genome-Wide LAT microarray, including 68 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and paraoxonase (PON) families. We found six haplotypes associated with obesity—two of them (one in GPX3 and the other in GPX5 and GPX6) in a protective direction when obesity was classified by BMI. The other four haplotypes were associated with obesity when classification was based on BFP—one of them in GPX3 in a protective direction and the others in PON genes conferring obesity risk. In addition, two SNPs, GPX3 rs922429 and GPX4 rs2074451 showed protection against obesity classified by BFP. This study showed genetic susceptibility to oxidative stress in relation to obesity in Mexican children and opens up the possibility that some genetic loci related to obesity are not identified when weight classification is based on BMI.

scholarly journals Prevalence and trends of thinness, overweight and obesity among children and adolescents aged 3–18 years across Europe: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. e018241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miriam Garrido-Miguel ◽  
Iván Cavero-Redondo ◽  
Celia Álvarez-Bueno ◽  
Fernando Rodriguez-Artalejo ◽  
Luis Moreno Aznar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
European Region ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence

IntroductionIncreasing prevalence of both thinness and excess weight during childhood and adolescence is a significant public health issue because of short-term health consequences and long-term tracking of weight status. Monitoring weight status in Europe may serve to identify countries and regions where rates of these disorders are either slowing down or increasing to evaluate recent policies aimed at appropriate body weight, and to direct future interventions. This study protocol provides a standardised and transparent methodology to improve estimating trends of thinness, overweight and obesity in children aged 3–18 years and adolescents across the European region between 2000 and 2017.Methods and analysisThis protocol is guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) and the Cochrane Collaboration Handbook. To identify relevant studies, a search will be conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL and Web of Science databases. From the selected studies, relevant references will be screened as supplemental sources. Finally, open search in websites from health institutions will be conducted to identify weight status data not published in scientific journals. Cross-sectional, follow-up studies and panel surveys reporting weight status (objectively measured height and weight) according to the International Obesity Task Force criteria, and written in English or Spanish will be included. Subgroup analyses will be carried out by gender, age, study year and country or European region.DiscussionThis study will provide a comprehensive description of weight status of children and adolescents across Europe from 2000 to 2017. The results will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal. This study will use data exclusively from published research or institutional literature, so institutional ethical approval is not required.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42017056917.

scholarly journals Prevalence and correlates of adherence to the combined movement guidelines among Czech children and adolescents

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lukáš Rubín ◽  
Aleš Gába ◽  
Jan Dygrýn ◽  
Lukáš Jakubec ◽  
Eliška Materová ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Lower Odds ◽  
University Degree ◽  
Parent Proxy

Abstract Background There are limited studies on the prevalence of adherence to the combined guidelines for physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior, and sleep in children and adolescents. Moreover, little is known about correlates of adherence to the guidelines. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to examine the prevalence and identify the correlates of adherence to the combined movement guidelines among children and adolescents. Methods A total of 355 children aged 8–13 years (44% boys) and 324 adolescents aged 14–18 years (43% boys) from the Czech Republic participated in this study. PA and sleep duration were estimated using multi-day 24-h raw data from wrist-worn accelerometers. Recreational screen time was parent proxy-reported in children and self-reported in adolescents. Seventeen potential correlates were grouped into three homogenous categories for biological and cognitive, behavioral, and family correlates. The multi-level multivariable logistic regression was applied to identify correlates of adherence to combined movement guidelines and to specific combinations of any of two recommendations. Results Approximately 6.5% of children and 2.2% of adolescents met all recommendations of the combined movement guidelines. In children, girls (OR = 0.4; 95% CI = 0.1–0.9) and participants with overweight or obese fathers (OR = 0.3; 95% CI = 0.1–0.7) had significantly lower odds of adherence to the combined movement guidelines. Additionally, children had higher odds of meeting specific combinations of two recommendations if they reported regular fruit and vegetable intake, participated in organized PA, or if their fathers had a university degree. Meanwhile, paternal overweight and obesity, and high sleep efficiency were associated with lower odds of meeting specific combinations of recommendations. In adolescents, sex, fruit and vegetable intake, organized PA, and active play were correlates of meeting specific combinations of any two recommendations. Conclusions A low proportion of children and adolescents met the combined movement guidelines and several correlates related to family were identified. Family is a key source of influence for healthy movement behaviors during childhood and adolescence.

scholarly journals Digital Gaming for Nutritional Education: A Survey on Preferences, Motives, and Needs of Children and Adolescents (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Laura Holzmann ◽  
Felicitas Dischl ◽  
Hanna Schäfer ◽  
Georg Groh ◽  
Hans Hauner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Digital Games ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Nutrition Knowledge ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Nutritional Information ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Study Participants

BACKGROUND Use of novel information and communication technologies are frequently discussed as promising tools to prevent and treat overweight and obesity in children and adolescents. OBJECTIVE This survey aims to describe the preferences, motives, and needs of children and adolescents regarding nutrition and digital games. METHODS We conducted a survey in 6 secondary schools in the southern region of Germany using a 43-item questionnaire. Questions referred to preferences, motives, and needs of children and adolescents regarding nutrition and digital games. In addition, knowledge regarding nutrition was assessed with 4 questions. We collected self-reported sociodemographic and anthropometric data. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed using SPSS. RESULTS In total, 293 children and adolescents participated in the study, with ages 12-18 years (137 girls, 46.8%), weight 30.0-120.0 (mean 60.2 [SD 13.2]) kg, and height 1.4-2.0 (mean 1.7 [SD 0.1]) m. A total of 5.5% (16/290) correctly answered the 4 questions regarding nutrition knowledge. Study participants acquired digital nutritional information primarily from the internet (166/291, 57.0%) and television (97/291, 33.3%), while school education (161/291, 55.3%) and parents or other adults (209/291, 71.8%) were the most relevant nondigital information sources. Most participants (242/283, 85.5%) reported that they regularly play digital games. More than half (144/236, 61.0%) stated that they play digital games on a daily basis on their smartphones or tablets, and almost 70% (151/282, 66.5%) reported playing digital games for ≤30 minutes without any interruption. One-half of respondents (144/280, 51.4%) also stated that they were interested in receiving information about nutrition while playing digital games. CONCLUSIONS This survey suggests that nutrition knowledge in children and adolescents might be deficient. Most children and adolescents play digital games and express interest in acquiring nutritional information during digital gameplay. A digital game with a focus on sound nutrition could be a potential educational tool for imparting nutrition knowledge and promoting healthier nutrition behaviors in children and adolescents.

scholarly journals Hypertension in children and adolescents

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (7) ◽  
pp. 404-409
Author(s):  
Young Hwan Song
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Pediatric Hypertension ◽  
Long Term Outcomes ◽  
Major Health Problem ◽  
Major Health ◽  
Treatment Of Hypertension ◽  
Hypertension In Children

Hypertension is a major health problem in most developed and developing countries. Worldwide, approximately 1 billion people have hypertension, and 13% of all deaths are closely related to hypertension. Recently, the prevalence of elevated blood pressure (BP) in children and adolescents has increased, probably due to the increased prevalence of overweight and obesity among youths. Increasing evidence suggests that adult hypertension has its antecedents in childhood, as childhood BP predicts adult BP. Additionally, pediatric hypertension may cause premature atherosclerosis and early development of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, the identification and treatment of hypertension in childhood is likely to have an important impact on long-term outcomes of cardiovascular disease. International hypertension guidelines for children and adolescents have recently been significantly revised, especially regarding the diagnosis of hypertension. This review presents the recent guidelines for the diagnosis, evaluation, management, and treatment of hypertension in children and adolescents.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Correlates of Adherence to The Combined Movement Guidelines Among Czech Children and Adolescents

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lukáš Rubín ◽  
Aleš Gába ◽  
Jan Dygrýn ◽  
Lukáš Jakubec ◽  
Eliška Materová ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Screen Time ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Healthy Diet ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Lower Odds ◽  
Multivariable Regression ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
University Degree

Abstract Background: There are limited studies on the prevalence of adherence to the combined guidelines for physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior, and sleep in children and adolescents. Moreover, little is known about correlates of adherence to the guidelines. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to examine the prevalence and identify the correlates of adherence to the combined movement guidelines among children and adolescents. Methods: A total of 355 children and 324 adolescents from the Czech Republic participated in this study. PA and sleep duration were estimated using multi-day 24-hour raw data from wrist-worn accelerometers. Recreational screen time was self-reported. Sixteen potential correlates were grouped into three homogenous categories for biological and cognitive, behavioral, and family correlates. The multi-level multivariable regression was applied to identify correlates of adherence to combined movement guidelines and to specific combinations of any of two recommendations.Results: Approximately 6.5% of children and 2.2% of adolescents met all recommendations of the combined movement guidelines. Paternal overweight and obesity was significantly associated with adherence to the combined movement guidelines in children (OR = 0.3; 95% CI = 0.1–0.7). Additionally, children had higher odds of meeting specific combinations of two recommendations if they reported healthy diet, participated in organized PA, or if their fathers had a university degree. Meanwhile, paternal overweight and obesity, and high sleep efficiency were associated with lower odds of meeting specific combinations of recommendations. In adolescents, healthy diet, organized PA, and active play were associated with higher odds of meeting specific combinations of any two recommendations. Conclusions: A low proportion of children and adolescents met the combined movement guidelines and several correlates related to family were identified. Family is a key source of influence for healthy movement behaviors during childhood and adolescence.

scholarly journals A National e-Health Program for the Prevention and Management of Overweight and Obesity in Childhood and Adolescence in Greece

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2858
Author(s):  
Athanasia Tragomalou ◽  
George Moschonis ◽  
Penio Kassari ◽  
Ifigeneia Papageorgiou ◽  
Sofia-Maria Genitsaridi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Health Program ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
First Year ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity ◽  
One Year ◽  
Primary Health Care Physicians

Obesity in childhood and adolescence represents one of the most challenging public health problems of the 21st century owing to its epidemic proportions worldwide and the associated significant morbidity, mortality and public health costs. In Greece, the prevalence of overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence exceeds 30–35%. To address the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents in our country, we developed the ‘National e-Health Program for the Prevention and Management of Overweight and Obesity in Childhood and Adolescence’, which provides specific and detailed guidance to all primary health care physicians about the personalized management of children and adolescents with overweight or obesity. In the present study we evaluated 2400 children and adolescents [mean age ± SEM: 10.10 ± 0.09 years.; Males: 1088, Females: 1312; Obesity (n = 1370, 57.1%), Overweight (n = 674, 28.1%), normal BMI (n = 356, 14.8%)], who followed the personalized multi-disciplinary management plan specified by the ‘National e-Health Program for the Prevention and Management of Overweight and Obesity in Childhood and Adolescence’, and were studied prospectively for 1 year. We demonstrated that at the end of the first year, the prevalence of obesity decreased by 32.1%, the prevalence of overweight decreased by 26.7%, and the cardiometabolic risk factors improved significantly. These findings indicate that our National e-Health Program is effective at reducing the prevalence of overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence after one year of intervention in the largest sample size reported to date.

scholarly journals Significance, causes and effects of obesity in childhood and adolescence

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
pp. 136-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
George F. Zarotis
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Diseases ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Joint Damage ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Positive Energy ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
General Validity ◽  
Balanced Diet

Body weight is influenced by the motor and eating habits of every human being and by a biological or genetic predisposition, the effect of which cannot be quantified with accuracy. Obesity occurs as an expression of a positive energy balance or as a consequence of the absence of a balanced diet. Obesity is an acknowledged and important risk factor for a range of conditions, especially diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this study was to approach, analyse and ultimately examine the significance, causes and effects of obesity on children and adolescents. The method adopted for the study was a review of the relevant literature. Based on this study, we discover that, due to people’s changing living conditions, the spread of overweight and obesity in industrialized countries has greatly increased, therefore rapid action is needed. Overweight and obesity have always existed. However, the voluptuous body, that formerly was considered a sign of wealth or a survival strategy, is now stigmatized. Overweight people not only have a higher risk for their health in the form of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus or premature bone and joint damage, but they do not correspond to today's ideal beauty. The causes of obesity are due to many interdependent factors. It is therefore difficult to formulate therapeutic proposals that have general validity. In summary, we can say that for the increasing number of overweight and obese children and adolescents the medical factors are less important. The causes should be sought in the social conditions and behaviours of certain social groups. It is important that children and young people are permanently involved in the subject of nutrition and movement, and that this engagement accompanies them throughout their development. Even if the politics supports, doctors encourage, health funds, kindergartens and schools raise awareness, sport clubs motivate, the media inform, parents recognize and offer incentives, the hardest part of the job should be done by the target group in order to achieve personal success; that is to remain or become "healthy".

scholarly journals Prevalence and correlates of adherence to the combined movement guidelines among Czech children and adolescents

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lukáš Rubín ◽  
Aleš Gába ◽  
Jan Dygrýn ◽  
Lukáš Jakubec ◽  
Eliška Materová ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Lower Odds ◽  
University Degree ◽  
Parent Proxy

Abstract Background: There are limited studies on the prevalence of adherence to the combined guidelines for physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior, and sleep in children and adolescents. Moreover, little is known about correlates of adherence to the guidelines. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to examine the prevalence and identify the correlates of adherence to the combined movement guidelines among children and adolescents. Methods: A total of 355 children aged 8–13 years (44% boys) and 324 adolescents aged 14–18 years (43% boys) from the Czech Republic participated in this study. PA and sleep duration were estimated using multi-day 24-hour raw data from wrist-worn accelerometers. Recreational screen time was parent proxy-reported in children and self-reported in adolescents. Seventeen potential correlates were grouped into three homogenous categories for biological and cognitive, behavioral, and family correlates. The multi-level multivariable logistic regression was applied to identify correlates of adherence to combined movement guidelines and to specific combinations of any of two recommendations.Results: Approximately 6.5% of children and 2.2% of adolescents met all recommendations of the combined movement guidelines. In children, girls (OR = 0.4; 95% CI = 0.1–0.9) and participants with overweight or obese fathers (OR = 0.3; 95% CI = 0.1–0.7) had significantly lower odds of adherence to the combined movement guidelines. Additionally, children had higher odds of meeting specific combinations of two recommendations if they reported regular fruit and vegetable intake, participated in organized PA, or if their fathers had a university degree. Meanwhile, paternal overweight and obesity, and high sleep efficiency were associated with lower odds of meeting specific combinations of recommendations. In adolescents, sex, fruit and vegetable intake, organized PA, and active play were correlates of meeting specific combinations of any two recommendations. Conclusions: A low proportion of children and adolescents met the combined movement guidelines and several correlates related to family were identified. Family is a key source of influence for healthy movement behaviors during childhood and adolescence.

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