Articles tagged with 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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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 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.
A Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center study found that a turn-key intervention program significantly increased physical activity levels among children in daycare. The program achieved 91% of the physical activity goals set by daycare centers.
According to a recent editorial, nearly 6% of US children and teens are severely obese, with a significant increase in prevalence and poor long-term prognosis. Experts recommend more comprehensive strategies, including pharmacotherapy, weight loss surgery, and specialty medical weight management programs.
A new study published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health found that promoting a healthy diet from infancy can prevent childhood obesity and chronic disease. The research described food preferences developed at 12-16 months, persisting into adulthood.
A new study reveals a significant link between childhood obesity and an earlier age of puberty, with heavier children at age five tending to have lower SHBG levels and reach puberty sooner. The findings suggest that obesity in childhood may contribute to the decline in the age of puberty over the past century.
Research at University at Buffalo found that treating overweight children with their parents leads to sustained weight loss for both, with parents losing an average of 14 pounds. This approach, compared to targeting only the child, resulted in a more appropriate weight gain while growing normally in height.
A study found that parents of obese children frequently misjudge their child's health and prioritize dietary changes over increased physical activity. The researchers suggest that education, income, and race/ethnicity have no bearing on a parent's willingness to make dietary changes.
A study examines Twitter conversations about childhood obesity, finding that comments from government and public health organizations are scarce. The researchers believe Twitter can be a valuable tool for reaching a wide audience with accurate health information.
A new study finds that sibling obesity is more strongly associated with a child's risk of obesity than parental obesity, particularly among same-gender siblings. The risk is more than five times greater when an obese sibling is present, and physical activity levels can mitigate this effect.
A new study found that children in households with two siblings are more likely to be obese if both siblings are overweight, regardless of the parent's weight. The data also showed that older siblings have a significant impact on younger sibling obesity risk, with boys being more susceptible to their male older siblings.
Research finds that children who know more about unhealthy food brands are more likely to be overweight or obese. Exercise may not be enough to offset the negative effects of exposure to these logos, suggesting a need for limiting advertising exposure.
A Mayo Clinic study found that body mass index (BMI) might be missing 25 percent of children who are overweight despite having a normal BMI. This omission raises serious long-term health concerns for these children.
Research from McMaster University suggests a correlation between maternal use of fluoxetine during pregnancy and increased risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes in children. The study's findings raise concerns about the long-term metabolic complications in children born to women who take SSRIs during pregnancy.
A recent study published in the European Congress on Obesity found that children following a Mediterranean-style diet are 15% less likely to be obese. The research, conducted across eight European countries, also revealed that adherence to this dietary pattern is crucial in preventing obesity and its associated risks.
A new registry study from Aarhus University found that severe stress during pregnancy can lead to increased risk of overweight and obesity in adulthood. The study, based on data from 119,908 young men, suggests that mothers who experienced bereavement had a significant impact on their sons' BMI, with those who lost their husbands havin...
Two studies found that adolescents' brains respond to glucose with increased blood flow in reward-motivation regions, unlike adults. Additionally, obese children as young as six years old develop larger and more dysfunctional fat cells, leading to inflammation and insulin resistance.
A new study from the University of Illinois suggests that parental and child sleep are closely linked to decreased child obesity. The study found that adequate sleep is the only significant protective factor against childhood obesity, and that a parent's sleep can affect their child's likelihood of being overweight or obese.
A Norwegian study found that children whose parents were divorced were more likely to be overweight or obese than those with married parents. Boys were particularly at risk, with a 54% higher likelihood of being overweight and a 89% higher likelihood of abdominal obesity.
Global obesity rates have increased substantially over the last three decades, with nearly 30% of the world's population affected. The study found that children and adolescents are particularly at risk, with rates increasing by nearly 50% between 1980 and 2013.
The study reveals a staggering 28% increase in adult obesity rates and a 47% rise in childhood obesity globally. The findings highlight the need for urgent action to reverse this trend, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
According to a University of Michigan poll, parents of overweight children are more likely to give schools failing grades (D or F) for obesity-related efforts. Parents were twice as likely to fail the school on opportunities for physical activity and much more likely to give a failing grade for nutrition education than parents without ...
A comprehensive study found that children who consistently received less than the recommended hours of sleep during infancy and early childhood had increases in both obesity and adiposity at age 7. Lower sleep scores were associated with higher levels of all body measurements reflecting obesity and adiposity, including abdominal fat.
A new study from the University of Houston finds that childhood poverty contributes to higher obesity rates among young adult women, with repeated exposure during childhood increasing their risk. The study also highlights the importance of helping families escape poverty in improving their long-term health status.
Recent studies published in Childhood Obesity reveal that US childhood obesity rates have not declined as reported by the media, instead showing a concerning trend. A larger cohort of obese 5-year-olds from several years ago is now entering the age of risk for serious metabolic complications.
A study found that children in an obesity intervention who lived closer to a supermarket ate more fruits and vegetables. The distance from a supermarket affected the success of the interventions, with those living farther away experiencing larger increases in body mass index.
A new study by UCLA psychologists found that girls who are told they are too fat at age 10 are more likely to be obese at age 19. The researchers also found that the number of people telling a girl she is fat increases her likelihood of obesity.
An analysis of childhood obesity estimates lifetime medical costs at $19,000 per child and $12,900 when considering adult weight gain, totaling $14 billion for obese US children aged 10.
A new study found all classes of obesity in US children have increased over the last 14 years, with more severe forms of obesity rising significantly. The study analyzed data from 26,690 children ages 2-19 and found 17.3% were obese in 2011-2012.
A new study from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health found a doubled risk of developing autism and Asperger's syndrome if a father is obese compared to a normal-weight father. The researchers also found that maternal obesity had little association with the development of autism in children.
A recent study found that paternal obesity may be a greater risk factor for autism spectrum disorder in children than maternal obesity. The research analyzed data from over 90,000 Norwegian children and found a doubled risk of developing autism if the father was obese compared to a normal-weight father.
A new study by University of Illinois researchers finds that obese children are slower to recognize and correct errors, affecting brain activity. Healthy-weight children outperform their obese peers in this critical cognitive task, highlighting the physiological differences between weight status and brain function.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that obesity intervention programs lowered children's blood pressure, with healthy eating and physical activity promoting the most effective results. The study suggests that early intervention can help prevent long-term health consequences.
Researchers have developed a simple blood test that can predict if a child will become obese based on epigenetic switches in the PGC1a gene. The study found that a rise in DNA methylation levels at age 5 was associated with up to 12% more body fat at age 14, regardless of physical activity or puberty timing.
Dr. Jean-Philippe Chaput, an Ottawa researcher, has won the International Journal of Obesity (IJO) New Faculty Award for Population Science and Public Health Research. He was recognized for his exceptional research in population health based on innovation and quality of science.
Researchers have developed a blood test that can predict obesity levels in children based on epigenetic switches in the PGC1a gene. The test, conducted on 40 children aged 5, showed a 10% rise in DNA methylation levels was associated with up to 12% more body fat at 14 years.
A new study by University College London researchers found that 16-month-old children sleeping less than 10 hours a day consumed an average of 105kcal more per day than those sleeping over 13 hours, contributing to weight gain in early childhood.