Articles tagged with Childhood Obesity
Global childhood obesity rates have increased ten-fold over four decades, with 12-16 million overweight youth in Europe. Early intervention and comprehensive policies are crucial to address this complex disease, which has strong associations with adult mortality and morbidity.
A new study found that simplified health information and instruction can improve outcomes for families with low health literacy in childhood obesity treatment programs. Families saw similar improvements in body mass index, sugar-sweetened drink consumption, and quality of life, regardless of their ability to understand health information.
A study published by The Endocrine Society found that expectant mothers with elevated blood pressure during pregnancy are more likely to have children who develop childhood obesity. Women with high blood pressure, even within the normal range, were associated with a higher risk of overweight or obese children.
A study of nearly 400 preschool children found that only one adhered to the 5-2-1-0 guidelines for a full 24-hour period. The study suggests room for improvement in dietary intake, physical activity, and screen time among young children.
A new study found that children born prematurely to mothers who were overweight or obese before pregnancy are at higher risk for low cognitive scores and difficulties with self-regulation. The study suggests that behavioral interventions to reduce pre-pregnancy weight may help mitigate these impairments.
Researchers found that infants born with high birthweight were at risk of obesity from an early age, highlighting the importance of early attention and lifestyle changes. The study suggests that pediatricians may counsel parents of high birthweight babies to prevent weight gain and related health problems.
A family-based treatment approach for childhood obesity was found to be effective in reducing body mass index standard deviation scores. Young age and high BMI-SDS at baseline, as well as good motivation for treatment and adherence to the protocol, were key factors associated with successful weight loss.
A recent study found that babies who were large at birth had an increased likelihood of being obese when they were in kindergarten to second grade. Children who were heavy as infants remained heavier than those born at normal birthweight, highlighting the importance of early lifestyle interventions to prevent obesity.
Research from the University of Liverpool reveals a strong association between childhood obesity and hip diseases, particularly Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE). Obese children are at highest risk of developing SCFE, which can cause significant pain and lead to hip replacement in adolescence or early adulthood.
Researchers developed new dosing models for remifentanil, a synthetic opioid commonly used during surgery, to improve accuracy in administering the drug to children and obese patients. The models take into account factors such as fat-free mass, weight, age, and sex to provide more personalized therapy.
A two-year community-wide intervention program led to improved weight management among preschoolers from low-income families, reducing their intake of sugary drinks and increasing sleep. The program also encouraged more physical activity and less screen time, with some non-Asian children showing decreases in adjusted BMI scores.
A comprehensive program led to significant improvements in obesity-related measures among children cared for at a Massachusetts community health center. The Mass. Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration (MA-CORD) program included specialized training, electronic support tools, and environmental changes.
A community-wide effort to reduce childhood obesity in two low-income Massachusetts communities resulted in modest improvements among schoolchildren, suggesting a comprehensive approach holds promise. The study found reduced obesity prevalence, healthier beverage choices, and less screen time in intervention communities.
A combination of diet, physical activity, and behavioral change interventions may reduce weight in children aged six to 11 years and adolescents aged 12 to 17. The reviews summarize the results of 114 studies involving over 13,000 children and young people.
Increased fathers' participation in physical child care and outdoor activities was associated with a decreased likelihood of childhood obesity. The study suggests that encouraging fathers' involvement may help reduce obesity risk among young children.
The USPSTF recommends screening for obesity in children and adolescents 6 years old and older, offering comprehensive behavioral interventions to promote weight improvements. This recommendation is based on moderate certainty, as screening can lead to small harms but also improve weight status with moderate net benefits.
Researchers identify a three-way interaction between genetics, body mass index, and parent-child communication patterns in predicting restrictive feeding practices that contribute to childhood obesity. Genetic variations affect emotion regulation, influencing parents' responses to children's negative emotions.
A study of US children found that lower-income kids tend to be heavier than their upper-class peers. However, the quality and proximity of playgrounds had no significant association with childhood obesity.
A new study reveals that 30% of the world's population is affected by weight problems, resulting in over 4 million deaths attributed to excess body weight. The study found that nearly 40% of these deaths occurred among people with a BMI below the threshold for obesity, highlighting the risks associated with being overweight or obese.
A National Institutes of Health study found that children born to women with gestational diabetes who consumed high amounts of refined grains during pregnancy were twice as likely to be obese at age 7. The study controlled for factors such as physical activity and vegetable consumption.
A new study by the University of Southern California found that overweight children experience more unreciprocated friendships and frenemies than their thinner peers. This social exclusion can lead to mental, social, and physical tolls, including loneliness, depression, poor eating habits, and illness.
A daily fiber supplement has been shown to decrease body fat and improve intestinal bacteria profiles in children with overweight or obesity. The study found a 19% reduction in triglycerides and significant weight gain reductions compared to a placebo group.
Researchers found that prebiotic fiber supplementation reduced annual projected body weight increase in overweight and obese children by nearly triple, compared to a placebo. The study also showed specific gut bacterial shifts with prebiotic intervention.
A study by the National Institutes of Health found that drinking artificially sweetened beverages during pregnancy may increase the risk of childhood obesity. Women who consumed at least one artificially sweetened beverage per day were more likely to have children with high birth weights and increased obesity risk at age 7.
Researchers found that obese children do not need to attend treatment to lose weight with parent-based therapy, which can be more cost-effective than traditional family-based treatment. The study showed similar outcomes in both groups for weight loss, nutrition, physical activity, and parent feeding behaviors.
A randomized clinical trial found that parent-based weight loss treatment (PBT) with or without child attendance resulted in similar weight loss outcomes, including decreased BMI z scores and improved calorie intake and physical activity. The study suggests that child attendance at treatment is not necessary to achieve similar outcomes.
A new study reveals that childhood obesity can cause lasting arterial damage and increase the likelihood of pre-diabetes, heightening the risk of cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Researchers analyzed data from over 300,000 participants and found that obese children were more prone to these conditions, even 25 years later.
Achieving moderate-to-vigorous physical activity guidelines, reducing TV viewing time, and ensuring adequate sleep duration are associated with lower BMI and body fat in children. Meeting these guidelines can reduce the risk of obesity and related health problems.
A new study found a positive association between father's pre-conception vitamin D intake and child height and weight at 5 years old. Maternal vitamin D intake during pregnancy has previously been shown to have an impact on offspring health, but this is the first investigation into paternal vitamin D intake.
A new study suggests that being overweight in childhood substantially increases the lifetime risk of major depression. Carrying excess weight over a lifetime quadrupled the chance of developing depression compared to only being overweight as an adult.
Children of migrant families in Chinese cities have lower obesity rates due to lack of parental supervision and influence from grandparents. Migrant children have fewer opportunities for unhealthy snacking and more active play, contributing to their lower obesity rates.
A study of schoolchildren found that overweight and obese kids drink more sugar sweetened soft drinks than their normal weight peers. The researchers suggest taxing such drinks could reduce consumption, particularly in children, and have the potential to impact the scale of childhood obesity.
Researchers propose TMI as an alternative to BMI z scores for screening obesity in kids, citing its potential accuracy benefits
A new study found no correlation between sleep duration and cardiometabolic risk in children aged 3-8 years. However, less sleep was associated with higher levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. The researchers suggest that sleep quality may have a greater impact on cardiometabolic risk than sleep duration.
A new study found that a garden-enhanced intervention improved BMI and nutrition knowledge among upper elementary students in California. The Shaping Healthy Choices Program showed significant improvements in nutrition knowledge and vegetable identification, but not in fruit and vegetable intake or parenting practices. However, body me...
A modest increase in children's physical activity could avoid $21.9 billion in medical costs and result in 340,000 fewer obese and overweight youth, according to new research. This would also lead to a reduction of over four percent in obesity rates among eight- to 11-year-olds.
Research finds lower DNA methylation levels at birth are associated with increased fat mass and a higher risk of obesity in children, with potential implications for prevention and treatment strategies.
A new study has found that children with obesity are four times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes by age 25 compared to their normal-weight counterparts. The study examined data from over 369,000 children and teenagers in the UK and found a significant increase in type 2 diabetes cases between 1994 and 2013.
A large-scale UK study has found that children with obesity face four times the risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those in the normal BMI range. The study examined data from over 369,000 children and found no association between obesity and increased incidence of type 1 diabetes.
A study found that toddlers with regular bedtimes and better emotional regulation are less likely to become obese pre-teens. The research team also discovered a link between household routines, self-regulation, and obesity risk, highlighting the importance of bedtime consistency for childhood obesity prevention.
A new study found that regular bedtimes, mealtimes, and limited screen time are linked to better emotional health in preschoolers, which may reduce the likelihood of obesity later. The research also discovered that inconsistent bedtime routines were associated with a higher risk of obesity.
The USDA has allocated $6.3 million to support projects combating childhood obesity, which affects over 12 million children in the US. Funding is aimed at promoting nutrition and healthy living, particularly among low-income communities.
A new study presents evidence that vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased markers of cardiovascular disease in overweight and obese children. The research found a significant link between low vitamin D levels and higher levels of atherogenic lipids, triglycerides, and non-HDL cholesterol.
A nationwide Swedish study found that maternal overweight or obesity in early pregnancy was associated with a higher risk of childhood epilepsy. The risk increased by 11-82% depending on the level of maternal obesity, with grade III obesity linked to an 82% increased risk.
A new study found that brain signals associated with fullness are dulled in obese children, leading them to overeat and gain weight. Obese children's brains responded more strongly to high-calorie foods after eating, suggesting a blunted satiety response.
Researchers aim to reduce body fat, improve glucose and lipid metabolism in overweight women planning pregnancy with the Lifestyle Intervention in Preparation for Pregnancy (LIPP) program. The goal is to prevent childhood obesity and related health issues in women and their children.
A study from Sahlgrenska Academy reveals a clear reduction in mean BMI and the frequency of childhood overweight and obesity among 8-year-old boys. The percentage of boys suffering from overweight or obesity decreased to its lowest levels since the early 1990s, with significant declines in both weight and obesity percentages.
Experts argue that the UK's action plan to reduce childhood obesity is lacking in key measures, including evidence-based interventions and strong controls on advertising. They recommend a new global alliance to strengthen the plan and develop a strategy for childhood and future societal health.
A new study by the University of Sussex found that around 35-40% of a child's BMI is inherited from their parents. The intergenerational transmission of BMI is approximately constant across countries, suggesting that genetics and family environment are key factors in obesity.
A new study published in Childhood Obesity reveals a strong association between early antibiotic exposure and an increased risk of childhood obesity in Latino infants. The research found that antibiotic use before 6 months of age was linked to rapid weight gain and obesity at 2 years of age.
A study published in Childhood Obesity found that parents who received educational material along with BMI screening results were more likely to express a desire to change at least one obesity-related risk factor. This suggests that parental education can improve the acceptance and utility of BMI screening in school-age children.
A new study by University of Illinois sociologist Amelia Branigan finds that obese white female students receive worse grades than their normal-weight peers, with teachers rating them as less academically able. The relationship between obesity and academic performance is linked to educators' interactions with girls of various sizes.
The Endocrine Society has issued a new clinical practice guideline for pediatric obesity, emphasizing the importance of family-centered lifestyle modifications. The guideline provides recommendations for assessing, treating, and preventing childhood obesity, including genetic testing for rare causes.
Children with asthma were 51% more likely to become obese due to respiratory problems and potential weight gain from medication. Using asthma inhalers reduced this risk by 43%. The study suggests early diagnosis and treatment may help prevent childhood obesity.
A study of over 2,000 children found that those with asthma were 51% more likely to become obese than their non-asthmatic peers. The use of asthma rescue medications was shown to reduce the risk of obesity by 43%.
A new study found that NFL PLAY 60 programming significantly improved both aerobic capacity and body mass index among a large percentage of participating students. Schools that implemented the programs had better health and fitness profiles compared to those that did not.
Researchers found that increasing parental physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior correlates with increased physical activity behaviors in children. The study used movement monitors to objectively measure physical activity and found a significant association between parent and child behavior.
Children of obese mothers are more likely to fail tests of fine motor skill and social competence, while those born to extremely obese couples also show signs of problem-solving ability delays. The study's findings suggest that paternal obesity also has a significant impact on child development.
A Dartmouth study reveals that children genetically predisposed to obesity have a stronger brain response to fast food commercials. The findings suggest that limiting exposure to food advertisements could be an effective way to combat child obesity.
Dr. Thomas Robinson is recognized for his creative interventions to combat childhood obesity, including dance classes and educational courses that show positive effects on cholesterol and insulin levels.