scholarly journals Excess Weight Among Preschool Children in a Lower-Middle-Income Country: Predictors and Perspectives of Prevention

Author(s):  
Sihem Ben Fredj ◽  
Rim Ghammam ◽  
Nawel Zammit ◽  
Samah Ben Ammar ◽  
Asma Ammar ◽  
...  

Objective: We aimed to assess the weight status and to determine predicted factors of excess weight among Tunisian preschool children. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among preschoolers attending kindergarten during 2016-2017 school-years in Sousse, Tunisia. The children’s parents completed the self-administered questionnaire. Anthropometric measures (Weight and height) were taken for the children. Weight status considered body mass index (BMI) and excess weight was defined by the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) standards. Odds ratios for excess weight were calculated using binary logistic regression analyses. Results: A total of 364 preschoolers were included with a mean age 4.49±0.9 years. The ratio boys/girls was 1.05. The prevalence of excess weight was 31.3%; CI95%:[26.7%-36.5%]). Female gender (AOR=1.74; CI95%:[1.07-2.83]), working mother (AOR=1.75;CI95%:[1.04-2.92]), sedentary behavior (AOR=1.87;CI95%:[1.01-3.51]), eating sweets (AOR=1.95;CI95%:[1.19-3.19]), eating while watching television (AOR=2.53;CI95%:[1.23-5.18]) were positively associated with greater risk of excess weight while sleep duration<10h (AOR=0.41;CI95%:[0.24-0.71]) and less educated mother (AOR=0.35;CI95%:[0.12-0.96]) were negatively associated with excess weight. Conclusion: Our results show that the prevalence of overweight and obesity among preschoolers was alarming. Prevention of obesity should start early in life through a multisectoral approach.

Author(s):  
Sihem Ben Fredj ◽  
Rim Ghammam ◽  
Nawel Zammit ◽  
Samah Ben Ammar ◽  
Asma Ammar ◽  
...  

Objective: We aimed to assess the weight status and to determine predicted factors of excess weight among Tunisian preschool children. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among preschoolers attending kindergarten during 2016-2017 school-years in Sousse, Tunisia. The children’s parents completed the self-administered questionnaire. Anthropometric measures (Weight and height) were taken for the children. Weight status considered body mass index (BMI) and excess weight was defined by the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) standards. Odds ratios for excess weight were calculated using binary logistic regression analyses. Results: A total of 364 preschoolers were included with a mean age 4.49±0.9 years. The ratio boys/girls was 1.05. The prevalence of excess weight was 31.3%; CI95%:[26.7%-36.5%]). Female gender (AOR=1.74; CI95%:[1.07-2.83]), working mother (AOR=1.75;CI95%:[1.04-2.92]), sedentary behavior (AOR=1.87;CI95%:[1.01-3.51]), eating sweets (AOR=1.95;CI95%:[1.19-3.19]), eating while watching television (AOR=2.53;CI95%:[1.23-5.18]) were positively associated with greater risk of excess weight while sleep duration<10h (AOR=0.41;CI95%:[0.24-0.71]) and less educated mother (AOR=0.35;CI95%:[0.12-0.96]) were negatively associated with excess weight. Conclusion: Our results show that the prevalence of overweight and obesity among preschoolers was alarming. Prevention of obesity should start early in life through a multisectoral approach.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Predrag Bozic ◽  
Visnja Djordjic ◽  
Lidija Markovic ◽  
Dragan Cvejic ◽  
Nebojsa Trajkovic ◽  
...  

The purpose of the present cross-sectional study was to examine dietary patterns and the prevalence of underweight, overweight, and obesity among Serbian children. Furthermore, the study analyzed the association between dietary patterns and weight status. A nationally representative sample of 6–9-year-old children (n = 3,067) was evaluated as part of the Fifth Round World Health Organization European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative. The children's height and weight were measured by trained field examiners, while their parents or guardians filled paper versions of the food frequency questionnaire to collect information related to the child's breakfast habits and food and beverage intake. According to the International Obesity Task Force cut-off points, the overall prevalence of overweight (including obesity) and underweight were 28.9 and 8.1%, respectively. The majority of parents reported that their children (84.5%) had breakfast every day, while only 39.5 and 37% of children had daily fruit and vegetable consumption, respectively. The children who do not eat breakfast every day are more likely to be obese (OR = 1.50), while a higher intake frequency of nutrient-poor beverages such as soft drinks increases the risk of being not only overweight (OR = 1.32) but also underweight (OR = 1.39). Regular monitoring and understanding of dietary patterns and weight status is crucial to inform, design, and implement strategies to reduce national and global diet and obesity-related diseases. Urgent actions need to be taken from public policymakers to stop and reverse the increasing trend of overweight (including obesity) among Serbian children.


Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 64
Author(s):  
Hitomi Okubo ◽  
Kentaro Murakami ◽  
Shizuko Masayasu ◽  
Satoshi Sasaki

There is growing recognition that eating slowly is associated with a lower risk of obesity, and chewing well might be an effective way to reduce the eating rate. However, little is known about these relationships among children. We therefore investigated the associations of eating rate and chewing degree with weight status among 4451 Japanese children aged 5–6 years. Information on eating rate (slow, medium, or fast), degree of chewing (not well, medium, or well), and nutrient intake of children were collected from guardians using a diet history questionnaire. Weight status was defined using the International Obesity Task Force cut-offs based on BMI calculated from guardian-reported height and weight. The prevalence of overweight and thinness was 10.4% and 14.3%, respectively. A higher eating rate and a lower degree of chewing were associated with being overweight (both p < 0.001). Eating slowly was associated with being thin (p < 0.001), but no association was observed between chewing degree and thinness. These associations were still evident after controlling for potential confounders including parental educational attainment, weight status, and the child’s nutrient intake. In conclusion, this cross-sectional study suggested that chewing well, rather than eating slowly, might be a more effective way for healthy weight management among Japanese preschool children.


2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (15) ◽  
pp. 384
Author(s):  
CA Dovonou ◽  
F Gounongbe ◽  
AV Hinson ◽  
CA Alassani ◽  
CA Attinsounon ◽  
...  

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of obesity among employees CHUD in Parakou and risk factors in 2013. Methods: This was a cross sectional study, descriptive analytical referred to place from 05 August to 05 September 2013. The study population consists of employees of CHUD in Parakou. Data were collected using a questionnaire and by anthropometric measures. Results: The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity was 55.9%. The sex ratio was 0.8. The mean age of subjects was 37.2 ± 9.0 years. Factors associated with obesity were: female gender (p = 10-11), those aged 30-49 years (p = 0.04), subjects with a level of secondary education limited (p = 0.01), subjects with a daily consumption and accidental alcohol (p = 10-9), snacking (p = 0.00012). Conclusion: Obesity prevention should involve the establishment and maintenance during the lifetime of healthy eating habits and regular physical activity.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dana Apela ◽  
Olga Ļubina ◽  
Karīna Agadžanjana ◽  
Ilze Napituhina ◽  
Iveta Dzīvīte-Krišāne ◽  
...  

Objectives: Overweight and obesity has become an important worldwide health issue, that is why the risk factors for gaining excess weight are being studied a lot. Big birth weight and parental overweight are known risk factors for childhood overweight. The association between psychological issues and excess weight is bidirectional.  Aim of our research was assessing if there was any association between parental weight status, birth weight or signs of depression and the exact value of already overweight child’s standardized body mass index (z-BMI).  Study design: Cross-sectional study. Materials and Methods: All 303 respondents included were six to seventeen years old patients of the first weight correction programme in Baltic states. Their first day data were gathered from Children’s Clinical University Hospital electronic databases Andromeda and Saule, as well as from outpatient medical records. Height and weight data were turned into z-BMI. Depression signs had been assessed using Children Depression Inventory (by M. Kovacs, 1992). Parental weight status and child’s birth weight had also been documented. Results: From all 303 respondents 141 (47%) were boys. Median age 12 (IQR 10-15) years. The median z-BMI was significantly higher in boys than in girls (2.97 (IQR 2.59-3.37) vs. 2.59 (IQR 2.13-2.90), p<0.001). Parental weight status correlated significantly with z-BMI value in boys (r=0.17, p=0.043) and in girls (r=0.18, p=0.026). The correlation became stronger when controlled by birth weight and signs of depression: r=0.87, p=0.005 for boys; r=0.96, p<0.001 for girls. There was no significant correlation between z-BMI and either birth weight or signs of depression. Conclusions: The parental excess weight correlated significantly with the z-BMI of their son or daughter. The signs of depression and birth weight had no significant association with z-BMI.


2016 ◽  
Vol 86 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 242-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Genc Burazeri ◽  
Jolanda Hyska ◽  
Iris Mone ◽  
Enver Roshi

Abstract.Aim: To assess the association of breakfast skipping with overweight and obesity among children in Albania, a post-communist country in the Western Balkans, which is undergoing a long and difficult political and socioeconomic transition towards a market-oriented economy. Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional study was carried out in Albania in 2013 including a representative sample of 5810 children aged 7.0 – 9.9 years (49.5% girls aged 8.4 ± 0.6 years and 51.5% boys aged 8.5 ± 0.6 years; overall response rate: 97%). Children were measured for height and weight, and body mass index (BMI) calculated. Cut-off BMI values of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) were used to define overweight and obesity in children. Demographic data were also collected. Results: Upon adjustment for age, sex, and place of residence, breakfast skipping was positively related to obesity (WHO criteria: OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.3–1.9; IOTF criteria: OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.4–2.5), but not overweight (OR = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.9–1.3 and OR = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.9–1.4, respectively). Furthermore, breakfast skipping was associated with a higher BMI (multivariable-adjusted OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.02–1.07). Conclusions: Our findings point to a strong and consistent positive relationship between breakfast skipping and obesity, but not overweight, among children in this transitional southeastern European population. Future studies in Albania and other transitional settings should prospectively examine the causal role of breakfast skipping in the development of overweight and obesity.


2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 341
Author(s):  
Marcella Evangelista Melo ◽  
Giovanna Lima Miguéis ◽  
Mikaela Silva Almeida ◽  
Tatiane Dalamaria ◽  
Wagner De Jesus Pinto ◽  
...  

Introduction: In the diagnosis of overweight and obesity based on body mass index in children and adolescents, several national and international anthropometric references are recommended. However, there is a divergence in the estimated prevalence of overweight and obesity among the references. Objective: To identify the prevalence of overweight and obesity and to analyse the magnitude of agreement among the three references. Methods: A cross-sectional study with 975 students from the early grades of elementary school. The prevalence of overweight and obesity were estimated according to the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) and Conde and Monteiro. The Kappa weighted index was calculated to assess the agreement magnitude among the three references. Results: The highest prevalence of overweight and obesity was estimated by the Conde and Monteiro and WHO references, respectively. Overall, the IOTF revealed lower a magnitude of prevalence than the two other references. The agreement among the references identified by the Kappa index had a range of 0.66 to 0.94. Conclusion: Despite the satisfactory agreement among the three references, this research highlighted the differing magnitudes of the prevalence of overweight and obesity. This fact limits the ability to make comparisons among populations and impairs the development of overweight and obesity prevention actions.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Yuan ◽  
Xun Jiang ◽  
Tongyu Zhu ◽  
Yuhai Zhang ◽  
Yue Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Childhood overweight and obesity have become significant public health challenges worldwide. This study aimed to explore whether caregivers’ feeding behavior and children’s eating behavior were associated with the weight status of preschool children in China.Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire was administered to 912 caregivers of preschool children from April to July 2016. Caregivers’ feeding behaviors were assessed by the Chinese Preschooler’s Caregiver Feeding Behavior Scale (CPCFBS). Children’s eating behaviors were evaluated using the Chinese Preschooler’s Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CPEBQ). After controlling for demographic characteristics, multiple linear regression and logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between caregivers’ feeding behavior, children's eating behavior, and children's body mass index (BMI). Results The results showed that weight concerns on the part of caregivers (β=0.53) and food responsiveness on the part of children (β=0.93) were positively correlated with children’s BMI, whereas caregivers’ responsibility for feeding (β=-0.68) and children’s external eating (β=-0.53) were negatively correlated with BMI. Among caregiver feeding behaviors, weight concerns (OR=4.54, P<0.001) and behavior-restricted feeding (OR=0.29, P<0.001) were positively correlated with children’s BMI. A child’s food responsiveness (OR=4.04, P<0.001) was also positively correlated with his/her BMI, while the child’s satiety responsiveness (OR=0.42, P<0.001) and emotional eating habits (OR=0.56, P<0.001) were negatively correlated with overweight/obesity status. Conclusions Our study demonstrated that children’s eating behavior and caregivers’ feeding behavior were associated with weight status among preschool children in China. Behavior interventions on caregivers as well as their children may prevent or reduce weight problems in preschool children. Trial registration This study was not a clinical experiment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui-xia Yang ◽  
Yu Zhong ◽  
Wei-hua Lv ◽  
Feng Zhang ◽  
Hong Yu

Abstract Background The relationship between thyroid nodules (TNs) and adiposity is controversial. This paper describes a cross-sectional investigation performed to determine the existence of any such relationship. To assess adiposity, body mass index (BMI) and visceral fat area (VFA) were utilized. Methods Between January 1, 2017 and March 3, 2019. Three thousand five hundred thirty four healthy people were examined using thyroid ultrasonography, visceral fat and anthropometric measurements, laboratory tests and questionnaire interview. Binary logistic regression analyses were used. Results Of the 3534 healthy subjects, 58.69% (2074/3534) of the subjects had TNs. A total of 55.91% (1976/3534) had BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 and 39.67% (1402/3534) had VFA ≥ 100 cm2. After adjustment to address confounders, BMI-based overweight and obesity levels only correlated with higher risk TNs when used as a continuous variable (OR = 1.031, 95% CI: 1.008–1.055, P = 0.008), while VFA was both a continuous variable (OR = 1.003, 95% CI: 1.000–1.005, P = 0.034) and a categorical variable (OR = 1.198, 95% CI: 1.014–1.417, P = 0.034) associated with significantly elevated risk of TNs. Analyzing the subgroups, BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 (OR = 1.500, 95% CI: 1.110–2.026, P = 0.008) was significantly correlated with TN risk in individuals with TG ≥ 1.7 mmol/L. VFA ≥ 100 cm2 correlated with the TN risk irrespective of age (< 50 years: OR = 1.374, 95% CI: 1.109–1.703, P = 0.004; ≥ 50 years: OR = 1.367, 95% CI: 1.063–1.759, P = 0.015) and in the following subgroups: women (OR = 4.575, 95% CI: 2.558–8.181, P = 0.000), FBG ≥ 6.1 mmol/L (OR = 1.522, 95% CI: 1.048–2.209, P = 0.027), and TG ≥ 1.7 mmol/L (OR = 1.414, 95% CI: 1.088–1.838, P = 0.010). Conclusions Adiposity correlates with TNs. To assess TN risk in Chinese individuals, VFA is better than BMI.


2014 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 188-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marjeta Kovač ◽  
Gregor Jurak ◽  
Lijana Zaletel Kragelj ◽  
Bojan Leskošek

Abstract Background: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children has increased dramatically in recent decades. The survey examined overweight and obesity in the population of boys and girls from Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, aged seven through fourteen from 1991 to 2011. Methods: An annually repeated cross-sectional study of data from the national SLOFIT monitoring system was used. The body mass index cut-off points of the International Obesity Task Force were used to identify the prevalence of overweight and obesity. Multinomial logistic regression was used for modelling the probability of overweight and obesity as a function of time (year of measurement), sex and age of subjects. Results: In 1991-2011 period, the odds for overweight and obesity among primary school children (n = 376,719) increased every year by 1.7% (95% CI: 1.6-1.9) and 3.7% (3.4-4%) respectively. Boys have 1.17 (95% CI: 1.15-1.20) times higher odds of becoming overweight and 1.39 (95% CI: 1.35-1.44) times higher odds of becoming obese than girls. In comparison to the reference group (age of 14), the highest odds for overweight were found at the ages of nine and ten (1.39; 95% CI: 1.34-1.44), while for the obesity the highest odds were at the age of eight (2.01; 95% CI: 1.86-2.16). Conclusion: From 1991 to 2011, overweight and obesity clearly became more prevalent in children from Ljubljana. This trend has been more obvious among boys than girls. In comparison to 14-year-old boys and girls, the highest odds for excessive weight were found below the age of 10.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document