Articles tagged with Childhood Obesity
Preschoolers who go to bed by 8 p.m. are half as likely to become obese teenagers as those who turn in late, according to a study from The Ohio State University College of Public Health. Establishing an early bedtime routine can also have positive benefits on behavior and cognitive development.
A new study found that children born to unmarried mothers with no father listed on their birth certificate are more likely to experience weight-related issues. The research suggests that paternal involvement may play a crucial role in influencing childhood obesity outcomes, particularly in terms of feeding practices and prenatal care.
A recent study by the University of Sydney found that obese preschoolers have 60% higher healthcare costs and are two to three times more likely to be hospitalized. The research highlights the significant economic impacts of childhood obesity, which can lead to serious chronic diseases.
A new report emphasizes the importance of outdoor play for children's physical activity and wellbeing. The study suggests that reducing screen time and increasing active outdoor play can improve academic attainment and reduce obesity among kids.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that adequate maternal folate levels during pregnancy can mitigate the effect of a mother's obesity on her child's health. Children born to obese mothers with higher folate levels had a 43% lower risk of obesity compared to those with lower folate levels.
A recent study found a small rise in obesity prevalence among US teenagers over the last 25 years, with a notable increase in adolescent obesity between 1988-1994 and 2013-2014. Obesity rates have decreased among younger children but plateaued for older kids before rising again.
A new study by NYU Langone Health finds that music stars' endorsement of food and beverage products are mostly unhealthy, contributing to the rising rate of childhood obesity. The researchers analyzed over 163 identified pop stars' endorsements, finding 81% of their endorsed food products were nutrient-poor.
A family-based weight management program improved self-perception among obese children, particularly in terms of athletic ability and physical appearance. The program also promoted positive body image and diversity of body sizes, leading to significant improvements in these areas.
A UK survey found that overweight very young children consume larger meals than healthy weight children, consuming approximately 11 calories more per meal, but eating less frequently. This disparity in meal size, not frequency, appears to be a significant risk factor for childhood obesity.
A Mayo Clinic-led study discovered that obese teenagers have lower levels of the hormone spexin, which may play a role in weight gain. The study suggests that spexin could be involved in childhood obesity and potentially used to treat or manage the condition.
Severely obese children are more likely to be ostracized and show signs of depression in first grade, according to a new study. The research found that these children were frequently teased and rejected by peers, leading to emotional health issues.
A new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism has found that obese teenagers have lower levels of the hormone spexin, which may contribute to weight gain and obesity. The study suggests that spexin may play a role in regulating body fat mass and energy balance.
A new study found that higher childhood aerobic fitness reduces the risk of developing metabolic syndrome in early adulthood by 36 percent. Higher abdominal fat levels still pose a significant risk, but combining both low cardiorespiratory fitness and high waist circumference increases this risk eight-fold.
The USDA has awarded nearly $4 million in funding to help fight obesity and improve the health of our nation's children. The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) will support research to reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents ages 2-19 years.
Researchers found that the decline in childhood obesity rates between 2003-2004 and 2011-2012 cannot be attributed to changes in maternal or child health behaviors. Despite differences in demographics and lifestyle factors, the main reason for the drop was the lower likelihood of older children being obese compared to younger ones.
Researchers at King's College London examined eating habits of 1,620 children to determine if timing of evening meals was associated with obesity. They found no significant risk of being obese or overweight when eating dinner between 8pm and 10pm compared to earlier times.
A Columbia University study found a strong association between prenatal exposure to BPA and measures of body fat in children at age 7. The researchers, who analyzed data from over 369 mother-child pairs, also discovered that prenatal BPA exposure was positively associated with higher levels of adiposity in girls.
A recent study reveals that obesity is on the rise in Indonesia, exacerbated by a 'double burden of malnutrition' affecting children. Children stunted due to undernutrition are more likely to become overweight, posing serious health risks.
A CDC study analyzed infant feeding practices with a 6-year follow-up to determine the risk of obesity in children. The results found that the timing of introducing solid foods had no effect on child obesity by 6 years of age, contrary to previous conflicting research.
A study by the University of Liverpool has identified early life factors that significantly influence childhood obesity rates. The research found that mothers who smoked during pregnancy and those with lower educational attainment were more likely to have children who became overweight at age 11. Socioeconomic circumstances, maternal s...
New research shows a significant decrease in childhood overweight and obesity rates in Canada from 2004 to 2013, with weight and body mass index trends also improving. The study suggests that the introduction of BMI growth charts and public awareness campaigns may have contributed to this decline.
A Kaiser Permanente study of over 24,000 mothers and their children found that excess pregnancy weight gain and elevated blood sugar increase the risk of childhood obesity, even in normal-weight babies. Children whose mothers had gestational diabetes were at highest risk, with a 30% increased likelihood of being overweight or obese.
Preliminary research finds that weight loss surgery increases HDL 'good' cholesterol and improves its heart-protecting actions in severely obese teens. The study shows improved metabolic health measured by HDL function after surgery, despite remaining obesity.
The study found a significant increase in obesity rates from 1999 to 2014, with no decline in any age group, despite clinical and policy efforts targeting the issue. The data suggests that more than 4.5 million US children and adolescents have severe obesity.
A recent study found that childhood obesity rates in the US have not declined, with severe obesity on the rise among adolescents. The study analyzed data from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey and found that 33.4% of children between 2-19 were overweight, with 17.4% having obesity.
A 29-year study found nearly 28,000 children and adolescents were obese in 2014, with boys more likely than girls due to societal preference for sons. The traditional Chinese diet has shifted towards high-fat and low-fibre foods, coinciding with increasing incomes and reduced physical activity.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that pre-pregnancy obesity and excessive weight gain during pregnancy increase the risk of a child becoming overweight at age 2. However, breastfeeding for at least six months was associated with a significant reduction in this risk, regardless of the mother's pre-pregnancy weight.
A study from the University of Houston finds that mothers' perceptions of their children's weight status are closely tied to their own weight status and concerns. Mothers who perceive their child as healthy are more likely to underestimate their weight, highlighting the need for healthcare providers to broaden their health screenings.
A novel approach to preventing childhood obesity replaces individual well-child care with group visits emphasizing nutrition-focused interventions. This model was associated with a 90% reduced obesity rate at 2 years of age in children who participated.
A new review suggests that family communication, mealtime interactions, and emotional regulation can help reduce children's genetic risks for obesity. Shared family meals promote healthy eating habits and reduce the likelihood of weight problems.
A new study found that AMH levels are related to high testosterone secretion and abdominal adiposity, making it a possible surrogate for ovarian antral follicle number. Additionally, AMH levels were correlated with age and body mass index, indicating its potential as a biomarker for PCOS diagnosis in obese adolescent girls.
A study of nearly 4,000 children found that infants with high BMI as young as 4-6 months are at risk of early-childhood obesity. Infants with BMI above the 85th percentile by 6, 12, or 18 months are strong predictors of severe obesity by age 6.
A new study predicts severe obesity can be identified at 6 months of age using a simple BMI measurement. Pediatricians are advised to measure BMI during infant well-child visits to identify high-risk children and provide targeted education on healthy lifestyles.
A large cohort study in the UK found that antibiotic exposure before age 2 significantly increases early childhood obesity risk. The study suggests that antibiotics may alter the gut microbiome, predisposing children to obesity.
The workshop reviews literature on body weight and oral health, teaching participants to measure and interpret weight, height, and other body size indices. It highlights the importance of documenting obesity and underweight in dental settings to identify risk factors for periodontal diseases and dental caries.
A new study from the University of Colorado Denver shows that adolescents who grow up and consistently live in poor neighborhoods are more likely to become or remain obese in adulthood than their peers. Moving into a poor neighborhood increases risk, while moving out decreases it, with young women at greatest risk.
A new study by NYU and Columbia University found that being classified as overweight in school fitness reports does not lead to short-term changes in body mass index for female students. The researchers analyzed data from over 3 million public school students and found a small increase in BMI among those newly identified as overweight.
A new study suggests that having a younger sibling may be associated with a lower risk of obesity by first grade. The research, which tracked 697 children across the U.S., found that children who became big brothers or sisters between 2-4 years old were nearly three times less likely to be obese.
A study by University of Iowa researchers found that children with higher body mass indices were more impatient, impulsive, and prone to collisions while crossing the street. They were also less likely to select the safest route, a risk factor for pedestrian injuries.
Researchers discovered that a special type of dietary fibre, known as prebiotic, can impact the mother's gut microbiota and reduce obesity risk in moms and their babies. The study found that mothers who took a prebiotic supplement had lower body fat and healthier gut bacteria, which were then transferred to their babies.
Researchers are launching a controlled experiment in four area school districts, introducing school gardens and nutrition and cooking classes for high-risk students. The program aims to improve dietary intake and reduce obesity and metabolic risk, with promising effects seen in an earlier pilot study.
Systematic reviews identify early-life risk factors, including maternal smoking and high birth weight, that contribute to childhood obesity. Interventions such as prenatal dietary coaching and parenting practices also show promise in reducing the risk of overweight children.
Eating fish more than three times a week during pregnancy was associated with increased risk of rapid growth in infancy and childhood obesity. Women who consumed high amounts of fish had children with higher BMI values at various ages compared to those who ate less.
Researchers found that females with childhood ADHD are at a two-fold greater risk of developing obesity during childhood and adulthood. Obesity is not associated with stimulant treatment among childhood ADHD cases.
Researchers found that severely obese adolescents had a nearly 10% chance of high blood pressure, 40% for high triglycerides, and 27% for high fasting glucose. The study highlights the urgent need for effective treatment programs for severely obese teens and prevention strategies at earlier ages.
Research shows that Latino kids are more likely to be obese by ages 2-5 due to maternal obesity, less exclusive breastfeeding, and workplace issues. Breastfeeding can reduce obesity by 47 percent among Latino kids, but many Latina moms face barriers to initiating and maintaining breastfeeding.
Research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that obese children's brains exhibit an imbalance between food-seeking and food-avoiding behaviors. The study suggests that mindfulness may help recalibrate this balance to prevent obesity, which has nearly doubled in the US over the past 30 years.
Research links imbalance in brain connections to childhood obesity, suggesting mindfulness could be an effective way to control eating habits. The study found that children with obesity have different brain function compared to healthy-weight children, making them more prone to over-eating.
Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center found an association between obesity and the formation of blood clots in children and adolescents. Obesity was a statistically significant predictor of blood clot formation in juveniles, contributing to increased incidence of pediatric venous thromboembolism.
A study published in Childhood Obesity found that low-income communities have higher rates of childhood obesity, with each 1% increase in low-income status corresponding to a 1.17% increase in overweight/obese students. Family income, not race, is the stronger predictor of obesity among children.
A new study found that poorer children are almost twice as likely to be obese at age 5 and nearly triple the risk by age 11. The researchers linked relative poverty to childhood obesity, highlighting the importance of early intervention and environmental factors in addressing socioeconomic inequalities.
The University of Tennessee is working to solve its state and nation's obesity problem with a new center focused on reducing childhood obesity. The USDA grant will support programs like SNAP-Ed and EFNEP to improve nutrition education and address barriers to healthy living.
A study reveals that factors contributing to healthy living behaviors among children differ between countries, challenging the notion of a 'one-size-fits-all' approach. Short sleep duration and poor sleep quality are linked to unhealthy habits in high-income countries, while flexibility and discretionary time may play a role in low-inc...
A recent study published in Cell Metabolism found that a man's weight affects the heritable information contained in sperm. The study compared lean and obese men and found differences in epigenetic marks associated with appetite control. Further research is needed to understand the implications of these findings on offspring.
Obese children show increased brain activity in areas linked to impulsivity and obsessive-compulsive disorder when exposed to food smells. In contrast, normal-weight children exhibit brain connections between taste processing and reward anticipation.
Researchers found that older toddlers as young as 32 months prefer looking at average-weight figures over obese ones, with maternal anti-fat prejudice strongly correlated. This suggests that children absorb and display societal attitudes early on, highlighting the need to address weight-based prejudice.
A genetic variant has been found to increase the risk of fatty liver disease in obese children and adolescents, despite lower total and LDL cholesterol levels. The variant affects the TM6SF2 protein, which regulates fat metabolism in the liver.
New research from Concordia University suggests that both poverty and parenting style are independent predictors of childhood health. For preschool-age children, household income is a key factor in obesity risk, regardless of parenting style.
A University of Houston study found that minority girls who were teased about their weight engaged in unhealthy eating behaviors, including disordered eating and emotional eating. The study suggests that teasing can have a strong impact on young girls' perceptions of themselves and food.
Research found significant heart disease and muscle abnormalities in obese children, with 40% considered high-risk. Obesity linked to thicker heart muscles and impaired pumping ability, potentially leading to complications in adulthood.