Articles tagged with Childhood Obesity
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 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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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...
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 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.
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.
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.
Research found that parents are less likely to recognize their child's weight status accurately, especially if the child is from a deprived background or South Asian. The study highlights the need for measures to bridge the gap between parental perceptions and official guidelines.
A UConn Health study finds that smaller plates do not universally help reduce portions in children and teens with obesity. The researchers suggest that diet education should be clear, simple, repeated, and interesting for this population.
Researchers from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that infant BMI-childhood obesity relationship is strong in African-American children. A better understanding of infancy growth patterns can lead to more effective early efforts at obesity prevention.
Excessive pregnancy weight gain was associated with greater overall and abdominal body fat in children and obesity at age seven. The study found that excessive pre-pregnancy weight gain was linked to a 300% increased risk of childhood obesity.
A pilot study suggests that male partners who improve their weight and dietary habits can increase the chances of conceiving with an infertile obese female. The study found that men who lost weight and made healthier lifestyle choices were more likely to conceive than those who did not.
A new clinical pathway has been shown to significantly reduce complications and improve growth in obese children who undergo weight-reducing procedures. According to the study, the procedure also led to improved management of life-threatening diseases such as diabetes, sleep apnea, and hypertension.
Recent studies by McMaster University researchers found that preventing weight gain is challenging for all ages, while keeping lost weight off is also tough. Small weight losses, however, can have a positive impact on health.
Researchers have found a way to reverse damage caused by obesity in females that leads to fertility problems and alters fetal growth. By using compounds known to alleviate stress in cells, they were able to stop the damage from being passed on to offspring.
Researchers found that maternal glycemia is associated with some childhood anthropometric measures of obesity, such as skinfolds and subscapular/triceps ratio, but not body mass index or insulin resistance. Maternal obesity and Hispanic ethnicity were strongly linked to childhood obesity and metabolic dysfunction.
A new study suggests that a child's early environment, including maternal factors during pregnancy and breastfeeding duration, can predict their chance of becoming obese later in life. The research found that children with four or five identified risk factors were 3.99 times more likely to be overweight or obese at age four.
A 20-year study found that over one-third of children in England are overweight or obese. The prevalence of obesity among younger children appears to have stabilized, but this is not cause for complacency. The study's findings highlight the need for effective public health strategies and policies to address childhood obesity.
Preschoolers who entered Head Start overweight or obese achieved a healthier weight status by kindergarten age compared to comparison groups. The study found that Head Start's high-quality meals, physical activity opportunities, and structure may positively influence children's BMIs.
Despite lingering issues of child obesity and poverty, the US sees significant advancements in safety, education, and stability for its kids. Test scores have risen, and more children are pursuing higher education and enrolling in preschools.
A new study from Albert Einstein College of Medicine found that children with short sleep duration and sleep-related breathing problems have a higher risk of becoming obese by age 15. The research aimed to track the combined effect of these two risk factors in children over time, filling a gap in previous studies. Children with severe ...
A new study led by researchers at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine found that obese children's brains show enhanced responses to sugar. The study suggests that this 'food reward' response may predispose them to crave more sugar throughout life.
A new study published in the Maternal and Child Health Journal found that households with obese mothers and stunted children often rely on high-energy, low-nutrient foods like chocolate and biscuits. In contrast, diets rich in fruits and vegetables are associated with lower rates of double-burden households.
A new study found that mothers working full-time are more likely to have preschoolers who get less sleep and are overweight. The researchers followed 247 mother-child pairs and found that children whose mothers worked full-time had higher BMIs at the end of the study period.
A recent study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that children exposed to antibiotics in the second or third trimester of pregnancy had a higher risk of childhood obesity at age 7. Additionally, delivery by Caesarean section was also associated with a higher risk of childhood obesity.
A study by Indiana University found that setting specific family rules about healthy eating and sedentary behavior leads to healthier practices in children. Children from households with set guidelines were more likely to eat fruits and vegetables, limit screen time, and make healthier choices overall.
A recent study found that pediatricians often fail to inform parents of overweight Latino children, highlighting the challenges of addressing rising obesity rates among minority youth. The study recommends using family-preferred terms when discussing weight with Latino families.
A study found that maternal obesity increases the risk of congenital abnormalities of the kidney and urinary tract in children. Being overweight was not linked with an increased risk. The research highlights the importance of addressing obesity as a public health concern.
New research reveals that obese children with asthma often mistake symptoms of breathlessness for a loss of asthma control, resulting in excessive use of rescue medications. This misunderstanding can lead to anxiety, reduced quality of life, and increased healthcare utilization.
A genetic analysis of childhood obesity found a strong link between genetic susceptibility and body size, shedding light on the causes of this complex condition. The study identified specific genetic markers associated with increased risk of obesity in children, highlighting the importance of early intervention.
A recent study published in BMC Public Health found that childhood obesity rates in Ireland have leveled off, but one in four Irish children remain overweight or obese. The researchers analyzed data from 14 studies conducted between 2002 and 2012 and found that national obesity rates dropped from 7% to 4% after 2008.
A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics found a significant association between the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics before age 2 and an increased risk of obesity. The researchers analyzed data from over 1,000 children and found that greater antibiotic exposure was linked to higher rates of obesity and being overweight or obese.
Researchers found that obese adults and their children often underestimate sizes, while mothers of overweight children have a particularly poor showing. This misperception can contribute to adolescent and adult obesity if not addressed in a timely way.
A meta-analysis of 112,000 participants found that childhood trauma significantly increases the risk of obesity in adulthood. The study revealed a 34% higher risk among adults who experienced abuse as children, with physical and emotional abuse leading to increased risks of 28% and 36% respectively.
A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine suggests that a one cent per ounce excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, combined with physical activity programs and an advertising ban, could effectively reduce childhood obesity. The tax is expected to generate significant revenue for additional obesity prevention a...
New research finds children exposed to gestational diabetes are at increased risk of developing impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes. The study suggests a growing number of women with gestational diabetes will lead to an alarming rise in early childhood diabetes, emphasizing the need for preventive measures.
New research shows that when teachers direct physical activities, young children become more active and less sedentary. Childhood physical activity is related to better health, higher test scores, and fewer behavioral problems.