Articles tagged with Childhood Obesity
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 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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Recent improvements in US diet have helped reduce disease and premature death, but the overall American diet remains poor. Researchers found that healthier eating habits can cumulatively prevent 1.1 million premature deaths over 14 years.
African-American children between 8-12 years old show a significant weight bias, with over 67% selecting the overweight child as victim of name-calling. Girls exhibit more sympathy towards overweight peers than boys, who tend to have lower popularity and social acceptance.
A study by NIH researchers found that a specific variation in the BDNF gene may contribute to obesity, particularly in African Americans and Hispanics. The study suggests that boosting BDNF protein levels could offer a therapeutic strategy for those with the genetic variation.
A study of nearly 400 people found that those with higher dispositional mindfulness had a lower risk of obesity and less abdominal fat. The researchers suggest that increased awareness of thoughts and feelings may help individuals overcome cravings for unhealthy foods and exercise habits.
A new study found that severely obese children are more likely to develop heart disease and diabetes, with the risk increasing as obesity severity increases. The study suggests that implementing a more complex classification system could help target interventions and treatments for these high-risk children.
A new study found a direct correlation between severe childhood obesity and increased risk factors for heart disease and diabetes in boys. The study's lead investigator noted that understanding elevated risk in children with more severe obesity can help target testing and interventions to prevent future disease.
Researchers found that obesity-related immune cell changes appear early, particularly in African-American girls. The study suggests that blood tests could be used to identify teens at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease in the future.
A 3-year-old girl with obesity and symptoms of excessive urination and thirst was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, reversing the disease through lifestyle modification and medication, highlighting early screening and diagnosis as key factors in disease management.
A study of 6467 English children found no link between limited access to gardens and increased childhood obesity risk. Parental education level and neighborhood disadvantage also played a role in determining obesity risk.
According to UTHealth researchers, children who spend more time with friends tend to engage in physical activity, lowering their obesity rates. Weak school nutrition policies can also be counterproductive if they lead to increased consumption of alternate sugary drinks. Additionally, obesity has immediate consequences for school perfor...
A study by the University of Birmingham found that Chinese children cared for mainly by their grandparents are more than twice as likely to be overweight or obese. Grandparents often indulge and protect their grandkids, leading to unhealthy eating habits and a lack of physical activity.
The SCOPE program promotes healthy habits such as eating five fruits daily, limiting screen time to two hours, and playing actively for an hour. Community partnerships are critical to creating sustainable change in preventing childhood obesity.
A study published in the American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation found that standard BMI assessments tend to underestimate obesity in adolescents with physical disabilities. The researchers suggest new cutoff points are needed for identifying disabled teens who may need diagnosis and treatment.
A study found that umbilical cord stem cells from children born to obese mothers have a 30% higher fat content compared to those from normal-weight mothers. This suggests an inherent propensity towards more fat accumulation in the offspring's cells, potentially leading to insulin resistance and metabolic disease.
A new study by researchers found that maternal obesity compromises the immune system of babies born at time of birth, putting them at risk for diseases such as heart disease and asthma. The study, led by Ilhem Messaoudi, analyzed umbilical cord blood samples from infants born to lean, overweight, and obese mothers.
A growing number of people will be overweight or obese by 2030, with significant health and economic consequences. The UK's obesity problem requires a multi-disciplinary approach, combining scientific research, environmental factors, personal behavior, and policy interventions.
Research found that childhood cancer survivors who received cranial radiation are more likely to be obese, with 47% of those receiving radiation being obese compared to 29.4% of non-radiation survivors. Obesity risk was also linked to glucocorticoids and genetic factors in neurons' growth and repair.
A study published by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that childhood cancer survivors are 14% more likely to be obese than their peers, with age and treatment also contributing to the increased risk. The research identified genetic variations associated with an increased likelihood of obesity following brain irradiation.
A new study found that nearly all parents of overweight boys and approximately 88% of parents of overweight girls perceive their children as 'about the right weight'. The researchers also found that African-American families are more likely to misperceive their child's weight, while family income increases lead to correct perceptions.
Parental denial of a child's weight issue can hinder efforts to combat childhood obesity. A healthy focus on promoting health and avoiding long-term consequences is recommended instead.
Children who watch TV for just an hour a day are more likely to be overweight or obese, according to a new study. The research suggests that even small amounts of TV viewing can lead to unhealthy weight gain and recommends daily limits on screen time.
A new study found that childhood obesity has distinct causes depending on the age of the child. In toddlers, weight gain is largely influenced by parental factors, while adolescents experience weight gain across the entire age group, regardless of parentage. The study suggests that public health strategies may need to be tailored accor...
Researchers at the University of Montreal found a complex link between feelings of being unsafe, poverty, and childhood obesity. Youth who experienced chronic poverty were more likely to be overweight despite higher levels of physical activity, suggesting a key role for feeling unsafe in perpetuating obesity.
A Texas A&M study found that students with standing desks show greater on-task engagement and academic behavioral engagement, equating to an extra seven minutes of engaged instruction time. Standing desks were also shown to burn more calories than traditional desks, with obese children burning 25% more calories.
A recent study found that an obesity intervention program with computerized clinical decision support and health coaching resulted in significant improvements in body mass index (BMI) among children. The greatest improvements were seen in children whose families and pediatricians were most faithful to the program.
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital found that two interventions combining up-to-date guidelines and family support reduced one-year weight gain in obese children. Clinicians who received clinical decision-support tools had better outcomes, while families who received coaching showed significant improvements in BMI.
Recent studies show that breastfeeding significantly reduces the risk of childhood obesity, with benefits increasing with longer and more exclusive breastfeeding. However, research now needs to move beyond observational studies to provide definitive evidence.
A new study from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center suggests that breastfeeding may not be a reliable method for preventing childhood obesity. The research highlights the complex relationship between breastfeeding and obesity, citing factors such as maternal obesity and alterations in digestive system processing.
A new study links long-term exposure to family stressors like family disruption, financial stress, and maternal poor health to increased risk of obesity in adolescents. Findings suggest female and male adolescents respond differently to stress, highlighting the need for tailored social services in obesity prevention programs.
The new guidelines emphasize regular growth monitoring, structured behavioural programs, and parent involvement in addressing childhood obesity. These measures aim to promote healthy growth patterns and lifestyle changes among children and youth.