Summary
Different types of parental stress may influence children's health behaviors and weight. The aim of this review was to systematically examine the relationships between parental stress and ...child obesity. We reviewed 27 studies published through December 2018 and classified parental stress as parents' general stress, parenting role stress, and life event stress. There were positive relationships of parents' general stress and parenting role stress with child obesity among families with younger children and in longitudinal studies. The relationship between life event stress and child obesity differed by measures. We found that parenting role stress may be associated with unhealthy parenting practices. Contextual factors such as children's and parents' sex, race or ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and family structure appeared to play a moderating role in the relationship between parents' stress and child obesity, which warrant cautious interpretation. Our recommendations for future research include clarifying further the types of parental stress that influence child obesity, evaluating long‐term relationship between parental stress and child obesity, and identifying possible mediating factors to support the relationship between parents' stress and child obesity. Researchers may also consider developing stress management programs for parents to address child obesity.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Alarm about the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity has focussed attention on individual lifestyle behaviours that may contribute to unhealthy weight. More distal predictors such as maternal ...employment may also be implicated since working mothers have less time to supervise children's daily activities. The research reported here used two waves of data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children to investigate whether mothers' hours in paid work shape young children's television viewing, snacking and physical activity, and through those lifestyle behaviours, children's weight at ages 4–5 years and 6–7 years. At both ages, children's lifestyle behaviours were interrelated and associated with weight status. Cross-sectional analysis confirmed small, direct associations between longer hours of maternal employment and child weight at age 4–5 years, but not with child's weight measured two years later. In both the cross-sectional and prospective analyses, the children of mothers who worked part-time watched less television and were less likely to be overweight than children of mothers who were not employed or who worked full-time. While associations were small, they remained significant after adjustment for maternal weight, household income and other factors. The combination of direct and indirect relationships between mothers' work hours and the weight status of their young children provides additional support to calls for family-friendly work policies as an important means for promoting healthy family lifestyles and early childhood wellbeing.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
The high prevalence of childhood obesity has led to questions about the influence of ‘obesogenic’ environments on children's health. Public health interventions targeting the retail food environment ...around schools have been proposed, but it is unclear if they are evidence based. This systematic review investigates associations between food outlets near schools and children's food purchases, consumption and body weight. We conducted a keyword search in 10 databases. Inclusion criteria required papers to be peer reviewed, to measure retailing around schools and to measure obesity‐related outcomes among schoolchildren. Thirty papers were included. This review found very little evidence for an effect of the retail food environment surrounding schools on food purchases and consumption, but some evidence of an effect on body weight. Given the general lack of evidence for association with the mediating variables of food purchases and consumption, and the observational nature of the included studies, it is possible that the effect on body weight is a result of residual confounding. Most of the included studies did not consider individual children's journeys through the food environment, suggesting that predominant exposure measures may not account for what individual children actually experience. These findings suggest that future interventions targeting the food environment around schools need careful evaluation.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
The nutritional status resultant from dietary habits along with socioeconomic conditions and the school environment are directly related to the individual's health condition not only in their ...childhood but also throughout adulthood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of socioeconomic factors on the anthropometric profile and to analyze a probable association between this profile and biochemical markers in children attending public daycare centers.
It is a transversal study developed in a probability sample of clusters of children from 6 months to 5 years old. Anthropometric and socioeconomic data were gathered at the CMEIs, questionnaires on the nutritional status were applied and blood was collected at the Family Health Units (USFs).
Female children are three times more likely to be underweight; in families with five members, it is 1/3 more likely that children of higher-educated parents are overweight. Among the results of the biochemical tests, hypervitaminosis A was a relevant aspect, positively correlating with copper (p=0.005) and zinc (p=0.008).
Therefore, since the influence of the family is an important predictor of overweight and its future outcomes related to nutritional deficiencies and inadequate dietary intake, educational interventions are vital as a way to pave the path to prevention.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
•Children with obesity consume fewer fresh foods.•Children with obesity consume more ultra-processed foods.•Children with obesity perform fewer masticatory sequences.•Children with obesity eat ...faster.
Childhood obesity is a significant public health problem. Studies show that obese children are more likely to become obese adults. In an attempt to ascertain the factors associated with childhood obesity, research has shown that this condition is associated with changes in food consumption and masticatory performance. The aim of this study was thus to evaluate food consumption and masticatory performance in normal weight, overweight and obese children aged 7 – 12 years. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 92 children aged 7 – 12 years, of both sexes, from a public school in a Brazilian municipality. The children were divided into the following groups: normal weight (n = 48), overweight (n = 26) and obese (n = 18). Anthropometric parameters, food consumption, food consistency preference, and masticatory performance were evaluated. Pearson's chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables. To compare numerical variables, the one-way ANOVA test was applied. For variables not conforming to a normal distribution, the Kruskal-Wallis test was used. The level of statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Our results show that the children with obesity consumed fewer fresh foods (median = 3, IQI = 4.00–2.00, p = 0.026), consumed more ultra-processed foods (median = 4, IQI = 4.00–2.00, p = 0.011), performed fewer mastication sequences (median = 2, IQI = 3.00–2.00, p = 0.007), and ate faster (median = 58.50, IQI = 69.00–48.00, p = 0.026) compared to children of normal weight. We conclude that children with obesity exhibit differences in food consumption and masticatory performance compared to children of normal weight.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Obesity impacts a child's ability to walk with resulting biomechanical adaptations; however, existing research has not comprehensively compared differences across the gait cycle. We examined ...differences in lower extremity biomechanics across the gait cycle between children with and without obesity at three walking speeds.
Full gait cycles of age-matched children with obesity (N = 10; BMI: 25.7 ± 4.2 kg/m2) and without obesity (N = 10; BMI: 17.0 ± 1.9 kg/m2) were analyzed at slow, normal, and fast walking speeds. Main and interaction effects of group and speed across hip, knee, and ankle joint angles and moments in sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes were analyzed using one-dimensional statistical parametric mapping.
Compared to children without obesity, children with obesity had greater hip adduction during mid-stance, while also producing greater hip extensor moments during early stance phase, abductor moments throughout most of stance, and hip external rotator moments during late stance. Children with obesity recorded greater knee flexor, knee extensor and knee internal rotator moments during early stance, and knee external rotator moments in late stance than children without obesity; children with obesity also demonstrated greater ankle plantarflexor moments throughout mid and late stance. Interaction effects existed within joint kinetics data; children with obesity produced greater hip extensor moments at initial contact and toe-off when walking at fast compared to normal walking speed.
While few kinematic differences existed between the two groups, children with obesity exhibited greater moments at the hip, knee, and ankle during critical periods of controlling and stabilizing mass.
•Gait kinematics and kinetics were analyzed with statistical parametric mapping.•Greater lower extremity joint moments in children with obesity during transitions.•Kinetic differences occur during phases that could increase osteoarthritis risk.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Green and blue spaces (GABS) are vital components of sustainable and healthy communities. Evidence suggest that GABS positively affect population health and wellbeing. However, few studies examine ...GABS influence on childhood obesity. This systematic review investigates the impact of GABS on childhood obesity particularly on children’s physical activity and eating behavior. The search protocol identified 544 studies from PubMed, Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Web of Science. A two-tier screening process document using the PRISMA flow diagram identified 16 studies which underwent quality analysis using the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tools. Data were interpreted using thematic analysis and narrative synthesis. Selected studies show varying sociodemographic characteristics of sampled populations located in urban and rural settings. The influence of GABS on children’s physical activity and eating behaviour depends on the type, location, proximity, density, facilities, and activity types that interplay with gender, ethnicity, and parent-child relationship. The review demonstrates the significant effect of GABS on children’s physical activity and eating behaviour. GABS provide children with safe venues for socialisation and long, intensive, and enjoyable physical activity; and influence children’s perceptions on vegetable consumption supporting healthier eating behaviour. These spaces have the potential to eradicate childhood obesity if policy, social, economic, environmental, and organisational considerations are addressed.
Sleep patterns and obesity in childhood Miller, Alison L; Lumeng, Julie C; LeBourgeois, Monique K
Current opinion in endocrinology, diabetes and obesity./Current opinion in endocrinology, diabetes and obesity,
02/2015, Volume:
22, Issue:
1
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
To highlight the recent findings on sleep-obesity associations in children. We focus on sleep duration, sleep timing and chronotype, and describe the potential mechanisms underlying sleep-obesity ...associations.
Poor sleep is increasingly common in children and associations between short sleep duration in early childhood and obesity are consistently found. Less is known about the infancy period, and the findings in adolescents are inconsistent. Sleep timing patterns may also contribute to obesity risk. Variable and shifted sleep schedules and evening chronotypes have recently been linked to adiposity in adults; less is known about children. Further, there is little understanding regarding the mechanisms of association. The timing of eating, dietary intake, obesogenic eating behaviors, and changes in appetite-regulating hormones have been identified as possible mechanisms for sleep-obesity associations and may be promising avenues for future research. Longitudinal and experimental work with children is needed to determine the nature of associations.
Beyond sleep duration, sleep timing patterns may contribute to obesity risk. Biological and behavioral processes have been proposed as mechanisms that may explain the association. Understanding the pathways through which poor sleep patterns could increase obesity risk in children may provide novel avenues for intervention.
PURPOSE Maternal nutrition plays a crucial role in fetal growth and lifelong health outcomes. Folate is an essential methyl donor in the epigenetic programming of offspring. This review and ...meta-analysis was conducted to compile the evidence reported thus far to identify associations between maternal folate status and childhood obesity. METHODS A keyword/reference search was performed in EBSCOhost and Web of Science databases. A CMA program was used for a meta-analysis to estimate the pooled effect of maternal folate status on childhood obesity in offspring and to examine the influence of moderating variables on the overall effect. RESULTS Better maternal folate intake was associated with a lower risk of childhood obesity: the overall effect size (ES; Hedges’ g) was 0.168 (95% CI=0.075 to 0.260, p<.001; small effects; cf., Cohen's criteria). Moderator analysis revealed that the ≥Q statistic for the age group was statistically significant (Qb=4.730, df=1. p=.030; heterogeneity of ES). In offspring <7 years and >7 years, the ES was 0.277 (95% CI=0.151, 0.404) and 0.089 (95% CI=-0.025, 0.202), respectively. The study design was a statistically significant variable (Qb=4.310, df=1. p=.038; heterogeneity of ES). In cohort studies, ES was 0.251 (95% CI=0.135, 0.367), whereas in randomized controlled trial group, ES was 0.062 (95% CI=-0.073, 0.197). CONCLUSIONS Maternal folate intake significantly affects childhood obesity, and the effect of maternal folate status is stronger in children younger than 7 years.
Interventions are required to reduce children's consumption of discretionary foods and drinks. To intervene we need to identify appropriate discretionary choice targets. This study aimed to determine ...the main discretionary choice contributors to energy and key nutrient intakes in children aged 2-18 years. Secondary analyses were performed with population weighted, single 24 h dietary recall data from the 2011-2012 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey. Cakes, muffins, and slices; sweet biscuits; potato crisps and similar snacks; and, processed meats and sugar-sweetened drinks were relatively commonly consumed and were within the top three to five contributors to per capita energy, saturated fat, sodium, and/or added sugars. Per consumer intake identified cereal-based takeaway foods; cakes, muffins and slices; meat pies and other savoury pastries; and, processed meats as top contributors to energy, saturated fat, and sodium across most age groups. Subgroups of sugar-sweetened drinks and cakes, muffins and slices were consistently key contributors to added sugars intake. This study identified optimal targets for interventions to reduce discretionary choices intake, likely to have the biggest impact on moderating energy intake while also reducing intakes of saturated fat, sodium and/or added sugars.
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