Articles tagged with Childhood Obesity
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.
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.
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.
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.
A study of 181 children with obesity aged eight to 17 years old found that up to a third could be classified as 'metabolically healthy,' meaning they're not at risk of developing insulin resistance or other obesity-related diseases. Lifestyle behaviors such as physical activity and diet played a crucial role in their health status.
Researchers found that children of authoritarian parents had a higher chance of being obese, with kids aged 2-5 having a 30% higher risk and those aged 6-11 having a 37% higher risk. A balanced parenting style, characterized by affection and limits, was associated with lower obesity rates.
Obese children are more likely to suffer from distal radius fractures and experience complications related to healing. Surgical pinning at the onset of fracture may ensure faster and more effective healing for these patients.
A new study by Universities of Strathclyde, Dundee, Georgia and Bristol found that obese teenage girls perform worse academically than their healthy-weight peers. The research examined data from over 6000 children and found a significant association between obesity and lower academic attainment in core subjects.
A new study found that children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to become obese and sedentary teenagers. The research followed almost 7000 children in Finland and found those with ADHD symptoms at age eight had significantly higher odds of being obese at age 16.
Research suggests that having a bedroom television is associated with weight gain in children due to disrupted sleep patterns. On the other hand, a weight-management program combining active gaming resulted in increased physical activity and greater weight loss among overweight and obese children.
According to a national survey study, the US obesity prevalence has remained high, affecting approximately one-third of adults and 17% of children. The prevalence of obesity among youth and adults showed no significant change from 2003-2004 through 2011-2012.
Researchers found that a single session of attention modification training decreased overeating in obese children by training their brains to ignore food cues. The study used implicit training methods to distract the children's attention away from food words.
New research found that older children are more likely to be overweight when living in close proximity to a high density of unhealthy eating outlets. The study, which analyzed data from over 1 million children, suggests that planning policies can help tackle childhood obesity by reducing the availability of unhealthy food options.
A recent study published in Gerontology highlights the long-term effects of childhood obesity on late-life health, finding that obese children may be more predisposed to complications independent of adult obesity. Early exposure to obesity can alter metabolism during a critical developmental time frame, leading to increased risk of met...
A recent study found that exposure to Manga comics promoting fruit intake significantly improved healthy snack selection among minority students. The intervention resulted in a 26% increase in children choosing healthy snacks compared to those without the comic exposure.
A new study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that obese children are at a higher risk of developing complex elbow fractures and experiencing postoperative complications. The study, which included over 350 patients aged 2-11, highlights the importance of early exercise and bone strengthening to prevent such issues.
A meta-analysis study found that more than half of parents underestimate the weight of their overweight or obese child, regardless of age or obesity rates in their area. Parents' perceptions about their children's weight become more accurate with age.
A study by the University of Illinois found that parents with an insecure attachment style are more likely to respond to their child's distress by becoming distressed themselves or dismissing their emotions. This can lead to unhealthy eating habits, including comfort feeding, fewer family mealtimes, and excessive TV viewing. The resear...
A recent study by Emory researchers found that kindergarten weight is a strong indicator of childhood obesity. Overweight kindergartners were four times more likely to become obese by the 8th grade, highlighting the importance of early intervention.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that including waist circumference measurements in clinical practice can help identify children and adolescents at higher risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. In Spanish children aged 6-17, 21.3% have abdominal obesity, with traditional screening methods missing 70% of cases.
A new study published in Cell found that mice offspring of mothers consuming a high-fat diet during lactation had abnormal neuronal circuits and altered insulin signaling, leading to lifelong obesity. The study suggests that proper nutrition during critical developmental periods can impact long-term metabolic health.
A study published in Cell reveals that obesity in mothers can predispose their children to lifelong obesity and metabolic disorders due to abnormal neuronal circuits in the hypothalamus. Mothers who consume a large amount of fat during the third trimester may be putting their children at risk for these conditions.
Research at Columbia University Medical Center found obese children are nearly three times as likely to develop asthma when exposed to high levels of air pollutants. Rates of childhood obesity and asthma have increased dramatically over the past 30 years, with urban minority populations disproportionately affected.
A systematic review of literature found narrow dietary interventions to increase fruit and vegetable consumption in overweight children are unlikely to achieve long-term change. Broad public health strategies targeting nutritional education, parental support, and physical activity are necessary to tackle childhood obesity.
A study by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that children's fast food consumption is only a small part of a larger problem: poor dietary habits fostered at home. The study highlights the importance of addressing these underlying habits to reduce childhood obesity.
A University of Illinois study found that inadequate sleep, parental BMI, and restrictive eating practices are the most significant risk factors for child obesity in preschoolers. The research suggests that addressing these risk factors can lead to a reduction in children's weight status.
A new study found that obese children have higher stress hormone levels than normal-weight peers, with elevated cortisol concentrations detected in hair samples from age 8. The observational case-control study analyzed hair samples from 20 obese and 20 normal weight children to measure long-term cortisol levels.
A recent study found that metformin can lead to a modest reduction in body mass index (BMI) in obese children when used in conjunction with lifestyle changes. However, the benefits were relatively small and did not meet the desired threshold for long-term health benefits.
Research analyzed top-grossing children's movies from 2006-2010, finding 70% included weight-related stigmatizing content. The study also reveals that 26% of movie segments showed exaggerated portion sizes and 51% depicted unhealthy snacks.