Articles tagged with Childhood Obesity
A community-based weight control program, Girls Health Enrichment Multisite Studies (GEMS), demonstrated a significant reduction in the prevalence of obesity among 8-10 year old African-American girls for up to two years. The program's success was attributed to changes in dietary intake and education.
A new Nordic study reveals a correlation between mothers' body mass index (BMI) and symptoms like hyperactivity in their children. The research, based on over 12,500 children in Sweden, Finland, and Denmark, suggests that even moderate weight gain during pregnancy can increase the risk of ADHD-like symptoms in school-age children.
The UK faces a growing obesity crisis with alarming statistics showing a 30-50% increase in obesity rates over the past decade. Experts call for a comprehensive approach to tackle the epidemic, including promoting healthy eating and exercise, and investing in meaningful interventions.
A study by The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that nearly one in four children with heart disease are overweight or obese, highlighting the need for doctors to counsel families on safe exercise routines. The researchers also noted that discussions about weight control were relatively uncommon during cardiology clinic visits.
A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found a positive correlation between TV time and the severity of obesity in children. The researchers determined that children watching more than 2 hours of TV per day were 2.5-3.3 times more likely to have hypertension compared to those watching less than 2 hours.
Research at Temple University found that obese and overweight children from diverse ethnic backgrounds experience similar levels of body dissatisfaction. The study highlights the importance of addressing psychological consequences of childhood obesity beyond weight management.
Research by Washington University School of Medicine found that obese children exhibit early heart disease symptoms, similar to those seen in obese adults. The study analyzed 168 children aged 10-18 and used a new imaging technique to track changes in the heart's muscular wall.
New studies show that soft drink contracts in schools contribute to childhood obesity rates, with low-income areas having more fast-food options. Minority students face greater exposure to junk food through advertising and school policies.
The University of Southern California has received a $7.5 million grant to establish a Comprehensive Center of Excellence in Minority Health, focusing on reducing type 2-diabetes and cardiovascular disease among minority youth. The center will analyze fitness activity, nutrition education, and body weight to develop preventive strategies.
The Shape Up Somerville program, a 3-year community intervention targeting first to third graders, successfully reduced BMI z scores in high-risk children. Dr. Christina Economos' research highlights the importance of environmental changes and community spirit in promoting healthy behaviors.
Children who had acquired high percentage body fat by age 3–1/2 were more likely to be obese at age 7. Rapid growth spurts, TV viewing time, and physical inactivity also contributed to obesity risk.
A Kaiser Permanente study shows that treating gestational diabetes during pregnancy lowers a child's risk of becoming obese, with children whose moms were treated having the same risk as those with normal blood sugar levels. High maternal sugar levels increase childhood obesity risk, but treatment reduces it.
A new study led by Professor Henry at Oxford Brookes University shows that low-GI breakfasts can lead to a reduction in calorie intake throughout the day. Children who ate low-GI breakfasts consumed approximately 60 kcal less during the day, equivalent to reducing calorie intake by 1800 kcal over a month.
A new study from the University of Texas at Austin found obese girls are half as likely to attend college as non-obese girls. The study attributes this disparity to mental health and behavioral issues such as increased risk of suicide, substance abuse, and negative self-image.
A Saint Louis University study finds that pediatricians' efforts to encourage lifestyle changes in obese patients and their families are often futile due to a lack of motivation. Doctors recognize the challenges of changing patterns of behavior in low-income households with limited access to healthy food and time for physical activity.
The study found that 75 percent of US adults will be overweight by 2015, with minority groups and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds facing the greatest disparities. The research highlights the need for targeted interventions to address the growing obesity crisis in the United States.
A new protocol developed by Swedish researchers can identify preschool children at risk for obesity with high precision, using only weight and height data. The protocol has the potential to save significant societal costs and reduce suffering among affected individuals and their families.
A study of middle school students found that physical fitness gains made during the school year were lost after summer break. The study suggests that exercise interventions should be sustained throughout the year to improve cardiovascular fitness and reduce risk of type 2 diabetes.
A study by the University of Liverpool found that obese and overweight children increased their food intake by over 100% after watching food adverts on TV. The obese group consistently chose high-fat products, while the overweight group opted for lower-fat options.
New research questions the effectiveness of routine screening for overweight and obese schoolchildren, citing limited evidence that preventive approaches or current treatments drive down long-term obesity rates. Instead, weight monitoring is seen as useful for gathering information on obesity trends and informing resource allocation.
A new study found that mothers' early menarche is associated with their children's fast growth tempo, leading to taller childhood stature but potentially shorter adult height. This pattern of rapid growth increases the risk of childhood-onset obesity.
Research suggests a possible association between childhood obesity and otitis media with effusion, characterized by fluid buildup in the middle ear space. The study found higher body mass index (BMI) and total cholesterol levels among children with otitis media with effusion compared to those without the condition.
A 20-year study reveals a significant rise in childhood obesity, especially among girls, with four-year-olds being six times more likely to have a BMI over 30 than their counterparts 20 years ago. Young girls are also more likely to be overweight or obese than boys, with nearly a third of ten-year-old girls having a BMI over 25.
Up to 65% of Quebec Cree preschoolers are overweight or obese, according to a recent study published in the American Journal of Public Health. High waist circumferences and low physical fitness levels were also found among elementary school students.
The new guidelines recommend measuring waist circumference in all adults to assess risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Health professionals are advised to incorporate this measurement into their toolkit for managing overweight and obese patients.
The 2006 Canadian clinical practice guidelines on managing and preventing obesity in adults and children provide a multifaceted approach to weight management. Key findings include the importance of physical activity strategies, behavior modification counseling, and public policy initiatives.
A study of 224 children aged 7-10 found exercise had a significant impact on body fat for boys and girls, but in different ways. Boys were more physically fit, with increased hard exercise linked to reduced weight, while girls benefited from moderate exercise.
A British study of 5,500 children found that low physical activity levels are a significant contributor to the development of obesity. The researchers used advanced techniques to measure fat mass and activity, finding a strong statistical association between lower activity and higher fat mass.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers reveals a high incidence of obesity among Baltimore's homeless children and caregivers, with nearly half of the children being overweight or at risk. The study highlights the need for healthier meal options and indoor physical activities in high-crime areas to combat this growing epidemic.
A study of 47,835 Danish couples found that being overweight or obese increases the likelihood of delayed conception. The researchers found a higher risk of sub-fertility for both men and women, particularly for couples where both partners were overweight.
A nationwide study found that obese children benefited from attending school, with their rate of BMI gain reduced the most. Schools seem to help limit the spread of obesity due to their structured environment, restricting access to food and promoting healthier choices.
A new study from the University of Michigan Health System found that nearly one-third of children having surgery are overweight or obese, with more than half qualifying as obese. This increases their risk of experiencing problems during and after surgery, as well as future health issues such as type II diabetes and breathing problems.
A recent NHLBI Growth and Health Study found that girls who were overweight at age 9 were more than 1.6 times likely to become overweight during ages 9 to 12 years compared to later adolescence. These girls also had elevated blood pressure and cholesterol levels, increasing their risk for obesity in young adulthood.
A study of 8,404 children found that those with obesity used more healthcare resources and had higher charges than their healthy-weight counterparts. The average adjusted difference in charges was $172 for children with diagnosed obesity.
A study published in Pediatrics reveals a significant increase in children's abdominal obesity, with boys experiencing a 65% rise and girls a 70% increase between 1988 and 2004. This growing trend poses serious health risks, including cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome.
Research shows that regular exercise can help obese children shrink their waistlines and reduce their risk of developing cardiovascular disease. After six months, exercising regularly resulted in improved artery flexibility, reduced BMI, and lower cholesterol levels.
Shorter nightly sleep in childhood may be a contributing factor to the growing obesity epidemic. Research suggests that insufficient sleep can disrupt normal metabolism and increase the risk of obesity, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular disease.
A study of 71 mother-child pairs found that low maternal education, unfamiliar foods, and younger child age predict more prompting from the mother. Conversely, obese mothers tend to have children who comply with food prompts less frequently, suggesting a need for tailored eating behaviors.
A recent study published in Pediatrics has found that children who are overweight at any stage of their growth before age 12 are more likely to be overweight by the time they are 12. The study examined over 1,000 children and discovered that preschool-age children who were medically determined to be overweight at one of three points of...
A new study by University of Florida researchers links morbid obesity in toddlers to lower IQ scores and cognitive delays. The study found that children with early-onset morbid obesity had an average IQ score of 78, compared to a normal range of 106 for their siblings.
A comprehensive review published in Nature Clinical Practice Endocrinology & Metabolism suggests that Western diets are causing hormonal imbalances in children, leading to overeating and obesity. The study attributes the rise in childhood obesity to an environment with high-calorie, low-fiber foods.
Researchers found that taller, faster-growing children are more vulnerable to the effects of an obesogenic environment. The study, which surveyed 50,000 three-year-olds, showed a strong relationship between child growth and obesity.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati are testing a 12-week prevention program to combat childhood obesity in Meade County, Ky. The program focuses on promoting regular physical activity, healthy eating habits, and parent-child communication to reduce obesity rates.
A new study by Mathematica Policy Research found that Hispanic 3-year-olds are more likely to be obese than their black and white counterparts. The research surveyed over 2,500 children born in US hospitals between 1998 and 2000, and adjusted for socioeconomic factors such as education level and access to food.
A Yale University study found that 15-30% of respondents would give up major life sacrifices to avoid being obese. Thinner individuals held stronger implicit and explicit negative attitudes towards fat people, while obese individuals only exhibited an implicit anti-fat bias.
Researchers found that mothers who perceived their neighborhoods as safer had a lower body mass index (BMI) and were less likely to be obese. Socioeconomic factors, such as education level and income, also played a role in neighborhood safety and obesity.
The prevalence of overweight children and adolescents in the US has doubled since 1980, while obesity rates have tripled. In 2003-2004, 17.1% of children were overweight and 32.2% of adults were obese. Significant increases were seen among males, with a rise in extreme obesity among women
Researchers found that 83% of college girls try to control their weight, regardless of their weight status. Unhealthy weight loss methods include skipping breakfast (32%) and smoking (9%). Only 19% of girls exercise regularly to lose weight.
Researchers identified an abnormal variant of β-MSH in five out of 538 obese children, which was more common in overweight or obese family members than in normal-weight relatives. The mutation altered the hormone's structure and ability to stimulate brain receptors, leading to increased obesity risk.
The gift will support a scholarship fund and establish an endowment for a new professorship in obesity-related research, with the goal of addressing childhood obesity in urban poor and minority communities. The initiative will also test innovative after-school programs like HSPH's Planet Health curriculum.
Researchers argue that targeting childhood obesity prevention is crucial in reducing adult obesity and associated chronic disease. Interventions during critical periods like the perinatal period and puberty/adolescence could have long-term effects.
Research studies found that children who watched more than two hours of TV daily were 2.6 times more likely to be overweight than those who watched less than two hours. Parents' TV viewing habits directly impact their children's weight, emphasizing the importance of limiting screen time and modeling healthy behaviors.
The USC TREC Center will investigate how to prevent cancer by controlling obesity in children and adolescents, with a focus on high-risk ethnic groups.
A school-based fitness program demonstrates improved body composition, cardiovascular fitness, and insulin sensitivity in overweight children. The study suggests that incorporating physical activity into childhood education can have long-term health benefits.
The Lancet seminar highlights the need for collaboration between nursing, dietetic, and physical-activity experts to develop novel ways to tackle obesity. The medical profession is waking up to the political and industrial challenges of obesity, but more needs to be done to address its management and prevention.
A study of over 33,000 children's doctor visits found that only 0.1% were diagnosed with obesity during well-child visits, despite the national rate being 13-15%. When doctors did diagnose obesity, they were more likely to discuss diet and exercise.
A Canadian Medical Association Journal study finds that children living in low-income neighborhoods are at high risk of overweight and obesity. The research suggests that school programs promoting healthy lunches and physical activity could be effective preventive measures.
Research Australia-funded project explores ways to tackle childhood obesity in Australia, focusing on parental involvement and early intervention. The study aims to identify effective models for reducing overweight and obesity in young children.
The European Society of Cardiology reports a growing problem of child obesity in Europe, with overweight and overt obesity affecting nearly all countries. Scientific evidence shows that this early onset is linked to increased risk factors such as high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome.
The Government of Canada has invested $2.8 million to fund 13 health research projects on childhood obesity, which affects 26% of Canadian children aged 2-17. The projects will focus on creating healthy, active schools and developing programs to tackle the issue.