Anthropometric assessment of children aged between 6 and 14 years from a school in Lisbon

As a global epidemic, obesity is currently a significant public health challenge, especially in children. Childhood obesity is related to short term consequences, but also with an increased risk to develop many comorbidities in adult life, such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, strokes, and others. A cross-sectional study to assess the prevalence of normal weight, pre-obesity and obesity in school-aged children was designed. The final sample size analyzed included 81 participants (47 boys and 34 girls) aged between 6 and 14 years old. Pre-obesity and obesity were determined according to the BMI cut-off points adopted by the IOTF. Although no significant differences were found, the prevalence of pre-obesity and obesity for the total population studied was 16.00% and 6.20%, respectively, with 14.60%, and 4.30% for boys and 17.60% and 8.80% for girls. More girls were pre-obese and obese than boys except at ages 9 and 12. The same age that boys presented cardiometabolic risk associated with a WHtR>0.50. These results emphasize the importance of nutritional status assessment to develop appropriate actions to prevent childhood obesity.

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Foundational knowledge regarding childhood obesity: a cross-sectional study of medical students

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-019-7499-1 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Emily Hill Guseman ◽

Elizabeth A. Beverly ◽

Jonathon Whipps ◽

Sophia Mort

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Childhood Obesity ◽

Medical Students ◽

Weight Control ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Preventative Care ◽

Student Knowledge ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Obesity And Diabetes

Abstract Background Documentation and diagnosis of childhood obesity in primary care is poor and providers are often unfamiliar with guidelines. This lack of knowledge may be attributed to insufficient training in medical school and residency; however, no studies have evaluated medical students’ knowledge of recommendations. Methods We distributed a modified version of the Physician Survey of Practice on Diet, Physical Activity, and Weight Control to medical students at a single university. Descriptive analyses assessed knowledge and attitudes of childhood obesity and diabetes. Results Of the 213 participating students, 74% indicated being unfamiliar with obesity screening recommendations. Few correctly identified BMI percentile cut-points for child overweight (21.2%), obesity (23.7%), and normal weight (29.4%). They reported screening glucose 4.5 years earlier in patients with risk factors compared to those without (p < 0.001). Conclusions Although students recognized the need for earlier diabetes screening in children with risk factors, we determined that overall, student knowledge of obesity-related preventative care was inadequate.

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Cortisol secretion pattern in overweight/obese and normal-weight infants: a cross-sectional study

Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism ◽

10.1515/jpem-2019-0273 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 33 (2) ◽

pp. 241-246

Author(s):

Ana Cristina Resende Camargos ◽

Pedro Henrique Scheidt Figueiredo ◽

Sueli Ferreira da Fonseca ◽

Mariana Aguiar de Matos ◽

Katherine Simone Caires Oliveira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Salivary Cortisol ◽

Area Under The Curve ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Control Group ◽

Cortisol Secretion ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Highly Sensitive ◽

Cortisol Levels

AbstractBackgroundThe salivary circadian diurnal cortisol plays an important role in growth and development. Inappropriate levels may induce changes associated with an increased risk of obesity later in life. It is unknown if there are differences in cortisol secretion pattern between overweight/obese infants when compared with theirs peers in infancy. Thus, this study aimed to compare the salivary cortisol secretion pattern in overweight/obese and normal-weight infants.MethodsThirty-three (overweight/obese = 17 and normal weight = 16) infants between 6 and 24 months of age had saliva samples collected upon awakening (T1), 30 min after waking (T2), at 12:00 am or before the baby’s meal (T3), and prior to bedtime (T4). Highly sensitive enzyme immunoassays were used for cortisol analyses.ResultsSalivary cortisol levels were similar between the groups: T1 (p = 0.22; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −5.65, 1.37), T2 (p = 0.24; 95% CI: −8.23, 2.17), T3 (p = 0.95; 95% CI: −3.16, 2.96), and T4 (p = 0.81; 95% CI: −1.39, 1.08); and no differences were observed between area under the curve (AUC) (p = 0.80; 95% CI: −4.58–13.66). The cortisol level reduced in T4 (95% CI: 1.35–2.96) compared to T1 (95% CI: 5.15–8.49) and T2 in the overweight/obese group (p < 0.001; 95% CI: 6.02–11.04). In the normal-weight group, the cortisol reduced in T3 (95% CI: 2.86–8.18) compared to T1 (95% CI: 5.64–12.28) and decreased until T4 (p = 0.001; 95% CI: 1.25–3.37).ConclusionsThe overweight/obese infant group presented a different pattern of cortisol secretion, although cortisol levels did not differ between the control group.

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The correlation between lipoprotein associated phospholipase A2 and central overweight status

International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology ◽

10.1177/20587384211048562 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 35 ◽

pp. 205873842110485

Author(s):

Yi-Hsuan Chen ◽

Wen-Cheng Li ◽

Yi-Chuan Chen ◽

Wei-Chung Yeh ◽

Wei Yu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Chinese Adults ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Overweight Status ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Objective Being

Objective: Being overweight is associated with an increased risk of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) can independently predict the risk of cardiovascular disease. This study is aimed to investigate whether Lp-PLA2 was associated with an overweight status. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that enrolled 3760 Chinese adults (age, 18–50 years) who underwent medical examination department of Xiamen Chang-Gung Hospital (XCGH) from 2018 to 2020. To explore the distribution of overweight classifications in the Chinese population, we evaluated the correlation of the overweight status with Lp-PLA2, after correcting for possible influencing factors. Results: The Lp-PLA2 level was greater in male than in female subjects ( p < 0.001). Subjects with a central overweight status had a greater Lp-PLA2 level than those with normal weight and a peripheral overweight status, in both male and female cohorts. The Lp-PLA2 level was significantly greater in those with additional comorbidities (namely diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN), overweight, and metabolic syndrome (MetS)). The age-adjusted and LDL-adjusted Lp-PLA2 level also was significantly higher in the DM (+) and HTN (−) subgroups than in the DM (−), HTN (−), DM (−), and HTN (+) subgroups. Conclusion: Lp-PLA2 is associated with sex, central overweight status, diabetes, hypertension, and MetS in adults aged < 50 years and the age-adjusted and LDL-adjusted Lp-PLA2 was significantly higher in the DM (+) and HTN (−) subgroups than in the DM (−) and HTN (−) and DM (−) and HTN (+) subgroups.

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A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY: ASSESSMENT OF MATERNAL RISK FACTORS FOUND IN LOW BIRTH WEIGHT NEONATES

10.36106/gjra/2605382 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 11-13

Author(s):

Nikulkumar Thakkar ◽

Shalini Panday ◽

Nomeeta Gupta

Keyword(s):

Socioeconomic Status ◽

Birth Weight ◽

Low Birth Weight ◽

Adult Life ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Maternal Factors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Maternal Risk ◽

Increased Risk

Introduction Birth weight is one of the important factors for the survival, normal growth and development of a child. LBW is associated with compromised growth, disabilities, hospitalizations, brain damage, and poorer language development, increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders in adult life. Maternal risk factor that may contribute to LBW include age, stature, socioeconomic status, multiple pregnancies, previous LBW infants and poor nutrition. Method: The present cross-sectional study was carried out in the postnatal care wards and NICU of Janta trust hospital, Patan. All live born babies born at Janta Hopsital with birth weight of less than 2.5kg during July 2019 to June 2020 were included after written consent from parents. The information regarding the study variables was record on predesigned, pretested questionnaire. Result: Out of 65 LBW babies, 46.2% were boys. Percentage of LBW babies was similar in second para and above (52.3%) as compared to primiparous mothers (47.7%). Eighteen babies (18, 27.7%) were born pre term. About 3.1% LBW babies had very low birth weight. The proportion of LBW babies was higher in 20-24 year age group (52.3%). Majority of mothers studied up to primary (84.8%). Total 63.1% had an antenatal registration with in the first trimester. Half of mothers (52.3%) visited adequately during antenatal period. Most common maternal factors found in LBW mothers were anemia (55.4%), PIH (12.0%) followed by UTI (7.7%) fever (6.2%) and APH (6.2%). Conclusion: Maternal factors like teenage pregnancy, illiteracy of the mothers, lower socioeconomic status, short birth spacing, lack of antenatal care were observed higher among low birth weight newborn. There is the need to strengthen the maternal services at community level.

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Association between Obesity and Omega-3 Status in Healthy Young Women

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12051480 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. 1480

Author(s):

Isabel E. Young ◽

Helen M. Parker ◽

Rebecca L. Cook ◽

Nicholas J. O’Dwyer ◽

Manohar L. Garg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Metabolic Disease ◽

Young Women ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Alpha Linolenic Acid ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Healthy Development ◽

Increased Risk ◽

The Relationship

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) are essential for healthy development and protect against metabolic disease. However, individuals with obesity may be pre-disposed to experiencing lower n-3 PUFA status than normal-weight individuals. This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between the omega-3 index (O3I), body mass index (BMI) and dietary intake in healthy young women (n = 300; age = 18–35 y), a group not previously focused on. Intake was adjusted for energy using the residuals method, and associations were explored using independent t-tests and Pearson’s correlations. Participants with obesity were found to have significantly lower O3I than normal-weight participants (p < 0.0001); however, no significant differences were observed in mean n-3 PUFA intakes. Even so, energy-adjusted intakes of n-3 PUFAs, with the exception of alpha-linolenic acid, were significantly correlated with O3I. This study demonstrates that O3I is influenced by both BMI and diet in young women; however the relationship between these two variables may be complex. Current intakes of n-3 PUFA observed in young women may not be effective in achieving target O3I levels in those with obesity, and further research is needed to find effective ways of improving n-3 PUFA status in a group already at increased risk of metabolic disease.

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Measures of generalized and central obesity among medical students in a tertiary care teaching hospital

International Journal of Advances in Medicine ◽

10.18203/2349-3933.ijam20183820 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (5) ◽

pp. 1124

Author(s):

S. Senthil Kumar ◽

S. Vithiavathi ◽

P. Parameswaren ◽

S. Rakesh Kumar

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Disease Process ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Risk Category ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Medical College ◽

Increased Risk

Background: Obesity is a disease process characterized by excessive body fat accumulation which is associated with a large number of debilitating and life-threatening disorders. It is necessary to curb obesity when its beginning in late childhood or adolescence and youngsters. Hence this study is aimed to determine the prevalence of obesity among medical college students.Methods: This is an observational cross-sectional study conducted at Aarupadai Veedu Medical College and Hospital, Puducherry. Height, weight, waist and hip circumference were measured, and BMI and Waist Hip ratio has been calculated according to WHO standards to determine obesity level in students.Results: Out of the total 94 students included in the study 56.4% students were in normal weight, 26.6% overweight, 6.4% were obese and shockingly 10.6 % were in the underweight category. Nearly 81.8% and 79.5% of female and male students respectively were in the substantially increased risk category showing insignificant difference between genders.Conclusions: This study shows that overweight and obesity is prevalent among medical students without much difference in gender basis. Frequent screening might create awareness among students and help them become more self-conscious regarding overweight and obesity.

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Dietary Patterns and Association with Obesity of Children Aged 6–17 Years in Medium and Small Cities in China: Findings from the CNHS 2010–2012

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu11010003 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 3 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Dan Liu ◽

Li-Yun Zhao ◽

Dong-Mei Yu ◽

La-Hong Ju ◽

Jian Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Childhood Obesity ◽

Energy Intake ◽

Dietary Patterns ◽

Household Income ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Chinese Children ◽

Small Cities ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Housework Time ◽

Increased Risk

Childhood obesity is associated with both near- and longer-term health implications. Few studies have been conducted to explore the associations between dietary patterns and obesity among Chinese children and adolescents. The present study was designed to identify dietary patterns and their relationships with childhood obesity in medium and small cities. This is a cross-sectional study of children participants aged 6–17 years old in the 2010–2012 China Nutrition and Health Survey (CNHS). Socio-demographics, life-style, physical activity, anthropometric variables, and hundred-item food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) were collected. Household income was classified as low, middle, and high. Traffic tools, from non-advanced to advanced, included walking, biking, bus, and car. Dietary patterns were identified using factor analysis of data from FFQs. Two dietary patterns were identified: a Westernized pattern (i.e., high cakes, snacks, sugary beverages, aquatic products, red meat, fruits, and nuts) and a Traditional Chinese pattern (i.e., high cereals, tubers, legumes, fried cereal food, and vegetables). The Westernized pattern was positively correlated with energy intake, household income, traffic tools, and negative correlated with age and housework time. The Traditional Chinese pattern was positively correlated with age, energy intake, and housework time, and negatively correlated with household income and traffic tools. After adjusting for confounding factors, the Westernized pattern was found to be associated with BMI increment, yielding β coefficients (95% confidence interval, 95% CI) of 0.57 (0.40, 0.85) for the fourth quartile. In addition, the Westernized pattern was also found to be significantly associated with an increased risk of obesity, yielding an odds ratio (OR, 95% CI) of 1.49 (1.21, 1.84) from fully-adjusted confounders. Promoting healthier eating patterns could help to prevent obesity in Chinese children. The findings of this study could be used to guide the development of evidence-based preventive nutrition interventions to curb childhood obesity epidemic in small–medium cities in China.

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A Healthy Lifestyle Offsets the Increased Risk of Childhood Obesity Caused by High Birth Weight: Results From a Large-Scale Cross-Sectional Study

Frontiers in Nutrition ◽

10.3389/fnut.2021.736900 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Zheng-he Wang ◽

Zhi-yong Zou ◽

Yan-hui Dong ◽

Rong-bin Xu ◽

Yi-de Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Childhood Obesity ◽

Large Scale ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

High Birth Weight ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Obesity Risk ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Increased Risk

Objective: To investigate whether a healthy lifestyle is associated with the lower childhood obesity regardless of birth weight.Methods: Participants were selected from a large-scale cross-sectional study conducted in the seven provinces across China. Birth weight and lifestyle factors were collected through a questionnaire. A weighted healthy lifestyle score was calculated and categorized into favorable, intermediate, and unfavorable lifestyles.Results: A total of 47,768 participants were enrolled in this study. Overall, 16.4% of the participants followed a favorable lifestyle, 62.8% followed an intermediate lifestyle, and 20.8% followed an unfavorable lifestyle. Compared with the participants who were born normal birth weight (NBW), participants who were born high birth weight (HBW) (OR = 1.58; 95% CI 1.48–1.77) and very high birth weight (VHBW) (OR = 1.79; 95% CI: 1.47–2.18) had higher obesity risk, however, the participants who were born low birth weight (LBW) had lower obesity risk (OR = 0.81; 95% CI: 0.68–0.96). Participants with an unfavorable lifestyle were associated with a higher risk of childhood obesity compared with the participants with favorable lifestyle (OR = 1.25; 95%CI: 1.14–1.38). Participants who were born VHBW and with an unfavorable lifestyle had 2.76 times (95% CI: 1.78–4.28) further risk of childhood obesity compared with the participants who were born NBW and with a favorable lifestyle. However, adherence to a favorable lifestyle seems to counteract the elevated risk of childhood obesity by VHBW (OR = 1.37; 95% CI: 0.84–2.24).Conclusion: Both the HBW and unfavorable lifestyle were significantly associated with risk of childhood obesity. Adherence to a favorable lifestyle decreased the risk of childhood obesity among the participants with VHBW. A more longitudinal study is required to repeat the finding to inform tailored prevention programs.

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Correlates of condomless anal intercourse among men who have sex with men in Santiago de Chile

International Journal of STD & AIDS ◽

10.1177/0956462418802927 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 30 (3) ◽

pp. 231-240

Author(s):

Leire Fernandez-Rollan ◽

Valeria Stuardo A. ◽

Susanne Strömdahl

Keyword(s):

Hiv Transmission ◽

Anal Intercourse ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Casual Sex ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Final Sample ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Condomless Anal Intercourse ◽

Broad Array ◽

Sex With Men

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionally affected by the HIV epidemic globally. In Chile, HIV prevalence among MSM is estimated at 20%, and condomless anal intercourse is the predominant mode of HIV transmission. This cross-sectional study aimed to estimate a broad array of characteristics in a sample of Chilean MSM including condomless anal intercourse (CLAI), as well as to explore possible associations between these characteristics and CLAI. MSM were recruited through respondent-driven sampling between June and October of 2016. A final sample size of 246 MSM was analyzed using CLAI as the outcome and sociodemographic, clinical and sexual risk behavior characteristics as exposure variables. Results show that close to half of the participants reported CLAI with casual sex partners during the last six months, and this outcome had an increased risk associated with use of drugs prior to sex and having had >5 sexual partners

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Overweight and obesity among staff of University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria

Journal of Epidemiological Society of Nigeria ◽

10.46912/jeson.18 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2 ◽

pp. 9-20

Author(s):

J Abuo ◽

BN Ekpenyong ◽

GME Nja ◽

N Nwachuku ◽

IB Williams

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Body Mass ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Multi Stage ◽

Increased Risk ◽

The University

Introduction: Physical inactivity is reported among 41% of Nigerians and 73.8% of adults in Calabar have been reported to be either overweight or obese. Obesity is a chronic disorder marked by excessive generalized deposition and storage of fat in human body. It is indicated by a Body Mass Index of 30kg/m2 and above. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity among the staff of the University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.Methods: A total of 321 staff in University of Calabar participated in this cross sectional study. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select faculties, departments, offices and respondents. Data was collected using a semi-structured and self administered questionnaire, a well calibrated weighing scale, a calculator and a checklist. Data analysis was done using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.0.Results: Of the 321 respondents, 55.1% were males and 60.0% were non-teaching. One hundred and twenty nine (40.0%) of the staff were 31-40 years. A total of 43.6% had normal weight, 35.5% were overweight while 19.6% were obese. A total of 45.1% were estimated to be physically inactive and 24.0% did not intend to begin exercises within the next six months. Majority, 91.3% of respondents were knowledgeable about overweight/obesity and 60.4% correctly mentioned at least one possible health implication of overweight/obesity but only 24.3% could define overweight and obesity based on Body Mass Index and most staff (72.0%) believed they had normal weight. Conclusion: The percentage of those found to be either overweight or obese is remarkable and the need to educate staff of the implication and ways to avoid over-nutrition. To avoid the increased risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular diseases including communicable diseases, preventive health education and regular health checks for staff are recommended.

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