scholarly journals Cartoon Characters in Children’s Series: Gender Disparities in Body Weight and Food Consumption

Sexes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-87
Author(s):  
Milia Tzoutzou ◽  
Eirini Bathrellou ◽  
Antonia-Leda Matalas
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
External Appearance ◽  
Body Weight Status ◽  
Female Figures ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Cartoon Characters

(1) Background: Media play a significant role in forming audience perceptions about physical external appearance and food consumption patterns. It has been reported that children’s cartoons project slimness, and concomitantly consumption of poor nutritional quality food. However, data on the role of gender in this respect are lacking; thus, this was the aim of the present study. (2) Methods: 100 episodes of the 10 most popular cartoon series were analyzed. Characters’ body weight status was classified into underweight, normal weight and overweight, and foods consumed as core (e.g., fruit, vegetables) and non-core (e.g., sweets, snacks). Messages about characters’ attractiveness were recorded and classified according to their body weight status and gender. (3) Results: Out of 37 protagonists, 12 were female figures (32%), while out of the 10 thin protagonists, 7 were females (70%) and only 3 males (30%). Thin heroines were the recipients of the majority of the messages connotative to physical attractiveness (36 out of 58 messages). However, consumption of core and non-core foods did not differ within genders (core: z = −1.526, p = 0.127, non-core: z = −0.417, p = 0.667). (4) Conclusions: Females seem to be underrepresented in cartoon series but receive the majority of the comments related to physical appearance, with most of them addressing the attractiveness of a thin figure.

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 Measured and Perceived Body Weight Status of Women in the Peruvian Amazon

Medicina ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 56 (8) ◽  
pp. 375
Author(s):  
Sophie Budge ◽  
Agnieszka Jaworowska
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
Obese Women ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Systems Research ◽  
Body Weight Status

Background and objectives: The prevalence of obesity among adults has reached epidemic proportions in Latin America, placing large demands on health care systems. Research suggests cultural differences in body weight perceptions may be a barrier during the implementation of weight-loss strategies. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of weight misperception in Peruvian women and evaluate contributing factors. Materials and Methods: A total of 236 women were recruited in San Martín, northern Peru. Participants’ socio-demographic characteristics and attitudes towards their weight and health were collected. Self-perception of weight status was assessed with a 10-point scale and compared with measured body mass index (BMI). Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with underestimation of weight status. Results: A total of 65.2% of women were classified as overweight/obese by BMI, but only 15.2% perceived themselves so. A total of 70.4% of women underestimated their weight status and no incidence of overestimation was reported. Overweight and obese women were more likely to underestimate their weight status than normal weight women (OR (Odds Ratio): 34.24, 95% CI (Confidence Interval): 11.55–101.45; OR: 42.06, 95% CI: 11.17–158.32, respectively). Women who underestimated weight status felt more comfortable with their weight (59.3% vs. 20.6, p < 0.001) and agreed a large stomach is a sign of good health (40.7% vs. 5.9%, p < 0.001) versus those who correctly estimated. Conclusions: Underestimation of weigh status was highly prevalent and associated with unhealthy beliefs. Future public health programs must be culturally sensitive and tailored to specific groups within the population.

scholarly journals Associations among blood pressure, salt consumption and body weight status of students from south-western Ontario

2013 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 1114-1119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah J Woodruff ◽  
Katherine Fryer ◽  
Ty Campbell ◽  
Mary Cole
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Salt Consumption ◽  
Body Weight Status ◽  
Obesity Status ◽  
Diet Recall

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose was to examine the associations among body weight status, blood pressure and daily Na intake among grade 7 students from south-western Ontario, Canada.DesignCross-sectional. Data were collected using the Food Behaviour Questionnaire, including a 24 h diet recall. Measured height and weight were used to determine BMI. Blood pressure was taken manually using mercury sphygmomanometers.SettingTwenty-six schools in south-western Ontario, Canada.SubjectsGrade 7 students (n1068).ResultsBody weight status indicated 1 % were underweight, 56 % normal weight, 23 % overweight and 20 % were obese. Mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were 108·3 (sd10·3) mmHg and 66·0 (sd7·5) mmHg, respectively, and mean Na intake was 2799 (sd1539) mg/d. Bivariate analyses suggested that SBP (P< 0·001) and DBP (P< 0·001) were significantly different by body weight status, yet no associations were observed for Na. Adjusted for gender, ethnicity and under-reporting, participants were more likely to be overweight/obese if they had higher SBP (v.lower: OR = 1·06, 95 % CI 1·05, 1·08,P< 0·001), higher DBP (v.lower: OR = 1·02, 95 % CI 1·00, 1·04,P= 0·043) and higher intakes of Na (3rdv.1st quartile: OR = 1·72, 95 % CI 1·14, 2·59,P= 0·009; 4thv.1st quartile: OR = 2·88, 95 % CI, 1·76, 4·73,P< 0·001).ConclusionsHigh intakes of Na, coupled with high SBP and DBP, were associated with overweight and obesity status among the grade 7 sample from south-western Ontario, Canada.

Aerobic Fitness Indices of Children Differed Not by Body Weight Status but by Level of Engagement in Physical Activity

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 854-860 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georges Jabbour ◽  
Melanie Henderson ◽  
Angelo Tremblay ◽  
Marie Eve Mathieu
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Lipid Oxidation ◽  
Aerobic Fitness ◽  
Oxidation Rate ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
Obese Children ◽  
Body Weight Status

Objective:Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) improves aerobic fitness in children, which is usually assessed by maximal oxygen consumption. However, other indices of aerobic fitness have been understudied.Methods:To compare net oxygen (VO2net), net energy consumption (Enet), net mechanical efficiency (MEnet), and lipid oxidation rate in active and inactive children across body weight statuses.Design:The sample included normal-weight, overweight, and obese children of whom 44 are active (≥30 min of MVPA/d) and 41 are inactive (<30 min of MVPA/d). VO2net, Enet, MEnet and lipid oxidation rate were determined during an incremental maximal cycling test.Results:Active obese participants had significantly lower values of VO2net and Enet and higher MEnet than inactive obese participants at all load stages. In addition, active obese participants showed a significantly higher lipid oxidation rate compared with inactive obese and active overweight and normal-weight participants. VO2net, Enet, and MEnet were similar across active children, regardless of body weight status.Conclusion:Thirty minutes or more of MVPA per day is associated with a potentiation of aerobic fitness indicators in obese prepubertal children. Moreover, the indices of aerobic fitness of inactive obese children are significantly different from those of active obese and nonobese ones.

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