A large number of studies have examined the tracking of blood pressure (BP) from childhood to adulthood, but the reported findings are inconsistent and few systematic analyses have been conducted.
We ...conducted a systematic search of PubMed for studies that examined the tracking of BP from childhood to adulthood published between January 1970 and July 2006. From 301 retrieved papers, 50 cohort studies met our inclusion criteria and provided 617 data points (Pearson/Spearman correlation coefficients) for systolic BP (SBP) and 547 data points for diastolic BP (DBP) for our meta-analysis. Information on sample characteristics and BP measurement protocols was extracted. Fisher z transformation and random-effects meta-regression analysis were conducted. The reported BP tracking correlation coefficients varied from -0.12 to 0.80 for SBP and from -0.16 to 0.70 for DBP, with an average of 0.38 for SBP and 0.28 for DBP. BP tracking varied significantly by baseline age and length of follow-up. The strength of BP tracking increased with baseline age by 0.012 for SBP (P<0.001) and 0.009 for DBP (P<0.001) and decreased with follow-up length by 0.008 for SBP (P<0.001) and 0.005 for DBP (P<0.001). BP tracking did not vary markedly across the number of BP measurements or race/population groups.
Data from diverse populations show that the evidence for BP tracking from childhood into adulthood is strong. Childhood BP is associated with BP in later life, and early intervention is important.
Abstract
This paper describes the current prevalence and time trends of childhood obesity worldwide, and the association between childhood obesity and socio-economic status (SES). Childhood obesity ...has become a global public health crisis. The prevalence is highest in western and industrialized countries, but still low in some developing countries. The prevalence also varies by age and gender. The WHO Americas and eastern Mediterranean regions had higher prevalence of overweight and obesity (30-40%) than the European (20-30%), south-east Asian, western Pacific, and African regions (10-20% in the latter three). A total of 43 million children (35 million in developing countries) were estimated to be overweight or obese; 92 million were at risk of overweight in 2010. The global overweight and obesity prevalence has increased dramatically since 1990, for example in preschool-age children, from approximately 4% in 1990 to 7% in 2010. If this trend continues, the prevalence may reach 9% or 60 million people in 2020. The obesity-SES association varies by gender, age, and country. In general, SES groups with greater access to energy-dense diets (low-SES in industrialized countries and high-SES in developing countries) are at increased risk of being obese than their counterparts.
Full text
Available for:
DOBA, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Summary The prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity has risen substantially worldwide in less than one generation. In the USA, the average weight of a child has risen by more than 5 kg within ...three decades, to a point where a third of the country's children are overweight or obese. Some low-income and middle-income countries have reported similar or more rapid rises in child obesity, despite continuing high levels of undernutrition. Nutrition policies to tackle child obesity need to promote healthy growth and household nutrition security and protect children from inducements to be inactive or to overconsume foods of poor nutritional quality. The promotion of energy-rich and nutrient-poor products will encourage rapid weight gain in early childhood and exacerbate risk factors for chronic disease in all children, especially those showing poor linear growth. Whereas much public health effort has been expended to restrict the adverse marketing of breastmilk substitutes, similar effort now needs to be expanded and strengthened to protect older children from increasingly sophisticated marketing of sedentary activities and energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods and beverages. To meet this challenge, the governance of food supply and food markets should be improved and commercial activities subordinated to protect and promote children's health.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Summary
Objective
This systematic examination and meta‐analysis examined the scope and variation of the worldwide double burden of diseases and identified related socio‐demographic factors.
Design
We ...searched PubMed for studies published in English from January 1, 2000, through September 28, 2016, that reported on double disease burden. Twenty‐nine studies from 18 high‐income, middle‐income and low‐income countries met inclusion criteria and provided 71 obesity–undernutrition ratios, which were included in meta‐regression analysis.
Results
All high‐income countries had a much higher prevalence of obesity than undernutrition (i.e. all the obesity/undernutrition ratios >1); 55% of the ratios in lower middle‐income and low‐income countries were <1, but only 28% in upper middle‐income countries. Meta‐analysis showed a pooled obesity–undernutrition ratio of 4.3 (95% CI = 3.1–5.5), which varied by country income level, subjects' age and over time. The average ratio was higher in high‐income rather than that in lower middle‐income and low‐income countries (β SE = 10.8 2.6), in adults versus children (7.1 2.2) and in data collected since 2000 versus before 2000 (5.2 1.5; all P values < 0.05).
Conclusions
There are considerable differences in the obesity versus undernutrition ratios and in their prevalence by country income level, age groups and over time, which may be a consequence of the cumulative exposure to an obesogenic environment.
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
The associations between visceral adiposity index (VAI), body shape index and diabetes in adults were inconsistent. We assessed the predictive capacity of VAI and body shape index for diabetes by ...comparing them with body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). We used the data of 5838 Chinese men and women aged ≥18 years from the 2009 China Health and Nutrition Survey. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the independent associations between Chinese VAI (CVAI) or body shape index and diabetes. The predictive power of the two indices was assessed using the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, and compared with those of BMI and WC. Both CVAI and body shape index were positively associated with diabetes. The odds ratios for diabetes were 4.9 (2.9-8.1) and 1.8 (1.2-2.8) in men, and 14.2 (5.3-38.2) and 2.0 (1.3-3.1) in women for the highest quartile of CVAI and body shape index, respectively. The area under the ROC (AUC) and Youden index for CVAI was the highest among all four obesity indicators, whereas BMI and WC are better indicators for diabetes screening. Higher CVAI and body shape index scores are independently associated with diabetes risk. CVAI has a higher overall diabetes diagnostic ability than BMI, WC and body shape index in Chinese adults. BMI and WC, however, are more appealing as screening indicators considering their easy use.
The use of mobile and wireless technologies and wearable devices for improving health care processes and outcomes (mHealth) is promising for health promotion among patients with chronic diseases such ...as obesity and diabetes. This study comprehensively examined published mHealth intervention studies for obesity and diabetes treatment and management to assess their effectiveness and provide recommendations for future research. We systematically searched PubMed for mHealth-related studies on diabetes and obesity treatment and management published during 2000–2016. Relevant information was extracted and analyzed. Twenty-four studies met inclusion criteria and varied in terms of sample size, ethnicity, gender, and age of the participating patients and length of follow-up. The mHealth interventions were categorized into 3 types: mobile phone text messaging, wearable or portable monitoring devices, and applications running on smartphones. Primary outcomes included weight loss (an average loss ranging from −1.97 kg in 16 wk to −7.1 kg in 5 wk) or maintenance and blood glucose reduction (an average decrease of glycated hemoglobin ranging from −0.4% in 10 mo to −1.9% in 12 mo); main secondary outcomes included behavior changes and patient perceptions such as self-efficacy and acceptability of the intervention programs. More than 50% of studies reported positive effects of interventions based on primary outcomes. The duration or length of intervention ranged from 1 wk to 24 mo. However, most studies included small samples and short intervention periods and did not use rigorous data collection or analytic approaches. Although some studies suggest that mHealth interventions are effective and promising, most are pilot studies or have limitations in their study designs. There is an essential need for future studies that use larger study samples, longer intervention (≥ 6 mo) and follow-up periods (≥ 6 mo), and integrative and personalized innovative mobile technologies to provide comprehensive and sustainable support for patients and health service providers.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
The built environment is an important contributor to childhood obesity; however, large-scale and longitudinal studies designed to examine their associations remain limited. This study aimed to ...examine whether walkable neighborhoods were associated with childhood obesity risk over a 9-year period.
We used data collected in the US nationally representative Early Childhood Longitudinal Study – Kindergarten (ECLS-K) Cohort, with 9440 kindergarteners followed up until their 8th grade (1998–2007). Four built environmental variables, street intersection density, residential density, fitness facility density, and recreational facility density, were calculated from national census, business, and road network datasets, and then matched with ECLS-K samples. Mixed-effect models were performed to estimate associations between built environments and child weight status.
Children who experienced increased intersection density during 1998–2007 had a lower BMI in 2007 (β = −0.49, p < 0.01), especially girls (β = −0.79, p < 0.01) and suburban children (β = −0.66, p < 0.05). They also had lower obesity risk in 2007 (OR = 0.79 95% CI = 0.66–0.94), especially girls (OR = 0.68 95% CI = 0.52–0.88). Girls and boys who lived in neighborhoods with the higher (but not highest) residential density in 1998 showed lower obesity risk (OR = 0.54 95% CI = 0.30–0.98) and overweight risk (OR = 0.54 95% CI = 0.30–0.95) in 2007, respectively.
National data indicate that in the US greater walkability in residential neighborhoods may lead to lower child BMI and obesity risk after nine years, and the association was stronger among girls and in suburban regions. This provides useful evidence for future obesity prevention and urban planning.
•Few studies on longitudinal effects of built environments on obesity nationwide•Higher street connectivity was related to lower obesity risk in girls and suburbs.•Higher residential density was related to lower obesity risk in girls.•Higher residential density was related to lower overweight risk in boys.•Greater walkability in US neighborhoods may lead to lower BMI and obesity risk.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
China has seen rapid increase in obesity and hypertension prevalence and fast food consumption over the past decade. We examined status and risk factors for Western- and Chinese fast food consumption ...and their associations with health outcomes in Chinese children, and examined how maternal factors were associated with child health outcomes.
Data of 1626 students aged 7-16 (11.6 ± 2.0) years and their parents in four mega-cities across China (Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, and Xi'an) were collected in the 2015 baseline survey of the Childhood Obesity Study in China Mega-cities. Weight, height, waist circumference, and blood pressure were measured. Food intake was assessed using questionnaire. Mixed models were used to examine the associations.
Among the children, 11.1% were obese, 19.7% were centrally obese, and 9.0% had hypertension. Obesity prevalence was much higher in boys than in girls (15.2% vs. 6.9% and 27.4% vs. 11.7%, respectively, both P < 0.001). About half (51.9% and 43.6%) of children consumed Western and Chinese fast food, respectively, over the past 3 months. Compared to those with college or above maternal education level, those with elementary school or below maternal education level were 49% more likely to consume Western fast food (odds ratio OR and 95% confidence interval CI: 1.49 1.10-2.03). Chinese fast food consumption rate increased by 12% with each year of increase in child's age (OR and 95% CI: 1.12 1.02-1.23). No significant associations between fast food consumption and health outcomes were detected. Adjusting for Western fast food consumption, children with lower maternal education were 71% and 43% more likely to have obesity and central obesity (ORs and 95% CIs: 1.71 1.12-2.61 and 1.43 1.00-2.03, respectively), and maternal body mass index was positively associated with child obesity, central obesity, and hypertension (ORs and 95% CIs: 1.11 1.06-1.17, 1.12 1.07-1.17, and 1.09 1.03-1.15, respectively). Results were similar when Chinese fast food consumption was adjusted for.
The prevalence of fast food consumption, obesity and hypertension is high among children in major cities in China. Maternal factors affect child outcomes.
Full text
Available for:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
School neighborhood food environment is recognized as an important contributor to childhood obesity; however, large-scale and longitudinal studies remain limited. This study aimed to examine this ...association and its variation across gender and urbanicity at multiple geographic scales.
We used the US nationally representative Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten cohort data and included 7530 kindergarteners followed up from 1998 to 2007. The Census, road network, and Dun and Bradstreet commercial datasets were used to construct time-varying measurements of 11 types of food outlet within 800-m straight-line and road-network buffer zones of schools and school ZIP codes, including supermarket, convenience store, full-service restaurant, fast-food restaurant, retail bakery, dairy product store, health/dietetic food store, candy store, fruit/vegetable market, meat/fish market, and beverage store. Two-level mixed-effect and cluster-robust logistic regression models were performed to examine the association.
A higher body mass index (BMI) in 2007 was observed among children experiencing an increase of convenience stores in school neighborhoods during 1998-2007 (β = 0.39, p < 0.05), especially among girls (β = 0.50) and urban schoolchildren (β = 0.41), as well as among children with a decrease of dairy product stores (β = 0.39, p < 0.05), especially among boys (β = 1.86) and urban schoolchildren (β = 0.92). The higher obesity risk was associated with the increase of fast-food restaurants in urban schoolchildren (OR = 1.27 95% CI = 1.02-1.59) and of convenience stores in girls (OR = 1.41 95% CI = 1.09-1.82) and non-urban schoolchildren (OR = 1.60 95% CI = 1.10-2.33). The increase of full-service restaurants was related to lower obesity risk in boys (OR = 0.74 95% CI = 0.57-0.95). The decrease of dairy product stores was associated with the higher obesity risk (OR = 1.68 95% CI = 1.07-2.65), especially boys (OR = 2.92 95% CI = 1.58-5.40) and urban schoolchildren (OR = 1.67 95% CI = 1.07-2.61). The schoolchildren exposed to the decrease of meat/fish markets showed the lower obesity risk (OR = 0.57 95% CI = 0.35-0.91), especially urban schoolchildren (OR = 0.53 95% CI = 0.32-0.87). Results from analyses within 800-m straight-line buffer zones of schools were more consistent with our theory-based hypotheses than those from analyses within 800-m road-network buffer zones of schools and school ZIP codes.
National data in the USA suggest that long-term exposure to the food environment around schools could affect childhood obesity risk; this association varied across gender and urbanicity. This study has important public health implications for future school-based dietary intervention design and urban planning.
Full text
Available for:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
In this opinion paper, we argue that global health crises are also information crises. Using as an example the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) epidemic, we (a) examine challenges associated with ...what we term “global information crises”; (b) recommend changes needed for the field of information science to play a leading role in such crises; and (c) propose actionable items for short‐ and long‐term research, education, and practice in information science.
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK, VSZLJ
PDF
