Articles tagged with Childhood Obesity
Research finds children's weight at age 8 and pubertal BMI changes independently predict high blood pressure in mid-life. Targeted initiatives for preventing childhood obesity may reduce disease burden.
A study found that children and adolescents with obesity are at a significantly higher risk of developing multiple sclerosis, with the risk being more than two-fold. The study also suggests that the persistent low-grade inflammatory state associated with obesity may be mediating this association.
The study found that obesity rates have nearly tripled in adult men and doubled in women since 1990. The prevalence of malnutrition is now the most common form of malnutrition globally, affecting nearly 880 million adults and 160 million children. Obesity can lead to comorbidities like high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that the prevalence of overweight and obesity among 3- and 4-year-olds in Sweden has decreased after the pandemic. The researchers observed a reversal of unhealthy weight trends, indicating that an unhealthy weight status can be reversed.
A researcher is studying patterns of weight gain and BMI increases in children based on behavioral, social, environmental, and biological factors. The study aims to identify monthly patterns in BMI change and associated behaviors.
Research in Canada found that kids perceive sponsored sports as 'generous' and 'cool', increasing their desire to purchase unhealthy products. The study suggests regulatory actions are necessary to protect children from unhealthy food marketing.
A new study found that short-term very low calorie diets are safe and acceptable for teenagers with moderate to severe obesity, with most experiencing rapid weight loss and some reporting side effects. The diets were closely monitored by an experienced dietitian and included meal replacements to ensure essential nutrient requirements.
A new study from the University of Illinois found that changes in home food availability between 2 to 4 years old are associated with changes in nutrient intake. The researchers used the Home Food Inventory (HFI) to measure food availability and found significant changes in several food categories over time.
Research by Norwegian University of Science and Technology finds that high-intensity interval training increases breast milk's adiponectin levels, a hormone linked to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. This could help prevent childhood obesity.
Research by Queen Mary University of London found that girls with obesity are 1.7 times more likely than those with a healthy weight to have at least one GP consultation for musculoskeletal symptoms or diagnosis in childhood. Knee pain was the most common symptom reported, and researchers hope their findings will raise awareness about ...
A study found that maternal obesity increases the risk of developing liver disease and liver cancer in offspring, due to the transmission of an altered gut microbiota. The risk is significantly higher in mice fed a junk food diet, highlighting the importance of microbiome health.
A new study finds that Latinx children with unreliable access to food at age 4 are nearly four times more likely to develop fatty liver disease later. The researchers recommend earlier screening for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and ensuring public meal programs offer nutritious meals.
A study published in Public Health Nutrition found that unhealthy food retailers and advertisements dominate urban school neighborhoods in Greater Tunis, contributing to high rates of childhood obesity. The researchers analyzed over 3600 retailers and nearly 2100 advertisements, revealing that two-thirds were classified as unhealthy, w...
A new study found that waist circumference-to-height ratio detects excess fat mass and distinguishes it from muscle mass in children and adolescents significantly better than body mass index (BMI). The measure is inexpensive and accurate, making it a promising alternative to BMI for diagnosing childhood obesity.
A study published in Pediatric Research found that waist circumference-to-height ratio accurately detects fat obesity in children and adolescents, distinguishing it from muscle mass. This method is more effective than BMI in predicting premature death and could replace BMI as an assessment tool for childhood obesity.
Researchers found unique bacteria taxa in normal-weight children vs overweight/obese children, suggesting BPA promotes different microbial communities. Gut microbiota responds differently to BPA exposure depending on BMI.
Researchers at Pennington Biomedical confirmed the accuracy of remotely gathered physical measurements for children in a weight management study. The findings support the value of remote height and weight measurements for both research and clinical purposes.
The study highlights the urgent need to tackle obesity and underweight globally, particularly in poor countries. Obesity rates have surpassed one billion, with combined rates of underweight and obesity being more common than malnutrition in many countries.
A new study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that childhood tonsillectomy is not associated with an increased risk of obesity in adulthood. The research followed 132 children who underwent tonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnea and found no link to weight gain in adulthood.
A longitudinal study of 5,000 Australian children found a strong correlation between parents who smoke and their children's consumption of high-calorie, unhealthy foods. The link between parental smoking and childhood obesity transcends socio-economic classes.
A study published in Obesity Facts found that reducing sedentary time in the classroom led to a significant reduction in waist-to-height ratio and an increase in sport participation among primary school children. The approach, called Active Movement, integrates non-sedentary behavior and low-level physical activity into daily routine.
Rats fed high-fructose diets exhibit disturbances in autonomic nervous and cardiovascular systems, increasing risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and obesity. Fructose consumption by parents is also associated with impaired physiological regulation of their offspring's cardiovascular system.
Research suggests that high aerobic fitness in children with overweight or obesity is linked to improved executive functions, academic performance, and larger brain volume. The 20-meter shuttle run test is a reliable predictor of brain health outcomes in this population.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a 45% increase in childhood obesity among 4-5-year-olds in England, persisting into 2022. The study found that this group will incur an additional £800 million in healthcare costs over their lifetimes.
A new analysis of health data found that prenatal and infant nurse home visits significantly reduced the likelihood of daughters being obese by 55% and mothers experiencing hypertension by 39%. The study also showed a decrease in severe obesity and Stage 1-2 hypertension in adolescence. Early intervention through public programs like n...
A new NIH study finds that consistently breastfeeding infants in their first three months is associated with a lower risk of childhood obesity, regardless of the mother's pre-pregnancy BMI. The study suggests that health professionals can encourage and promote breastfeeding among all women, especially those who have obesity.
A study of 620,000 children found that maternal type 1 diabetes was associated with increased risk for most types of congenital heart defects in offspring. Obesity and overweight were linked to increased risk for complex defects, such as outflow tract obstruction, while decreasing the risk for ventricular septal defects.
A new study found that light physical activity can completely reverse the adverse process of childhood obesity linked to sedentary time. Children who engaged in at least 3 hours a day of light physical activity had a 9.5-15% decrease in overall fat mass gain during adolescence.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found no association between assisted reproductive technologies and body mass index in children, except when using frozen embryos. The study analyzed data from Denmark and other countries, providing insights into the health outcomes of children born through assisted reproductive technologies.
Research suggests that childhood sedentariness contributes to elevated cholesterol levels and premature heart attack or stroke in mid-life. Engaging in light physical activity for 3-4 hours/day may be effective in reducing high cholesterol.
Research shows that Australian children are at risk of excessive weight gain and declining fitness during school holidays. The two-year study found that body fat increased at a faster pace and aerobic fitness declined faster than in-school periods. Promoting physical activities during holidays could help address unhealthy weight gain.
Dr. Newton will study the role of fathers in promoting their children's physical activity through a proof-of-concept intervention. The study aims to understand barriers to exercise among African American families and assess the impact of social determinants on father-child interactions.
A Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute study found a strong link between higher prenatal PFAS exposure and increased rates of obesity and body fat in adolescent offspring. Higher levels of certain PFAS were associated with a 13-59% increase in the risk of obesity, highlighting the long-term consequences of PFAS for developmental health.
Researchers aim to determine optimal duration and intensity of behavioral interventions for childhood obesity among rural and minority children. The five-year study, funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, will enroll 900 parent-child pairs and compare different 'dosing' combinations of face-to-face intervention time.
Men who are overweight or obese at age 18 have a higher risk of developing 17 different cancers later in life. Higher BMI is also associated with an increased risk of mortality after cancer diagnosis for certain types of cancer.
A new study reveals that prenatal exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals is linked to accelerated BMI gain in children from birth to nine years old. The study found that certain mixtures of these chemicals increase the risk of childhood obesity and its related health consequences.
Research has discovered a significant connection between birthweight and the onset of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (MASLD) in young people. Babies born with low birthweight were found to be four times more likely to develop MASLD in childhood, adolescence, or young adulthood.
A new study identifies children at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes and strategies for prevention, including anti-obesity medication and lifestyle changes. Higher levels on certain diabetes screening tests and worsening obesity may better predict diabetes risk in children.
A new study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that women living in more walkable neighborhoods have a lower risk of obesity-related cancers, particularly postmenopausal breast cancer. Neighborhood walkability is associated with increased physical activity and reduced car-dependency.
New research from The George Institute for Global Health suggests applying Google's nutrition advertising policy in the US market could reduce products eligible for online marketing to children, leading to significant health gains. Only 18% of products would be allowed under this policy.
Only 1% of US children who start obese in elementary school regain a healthy weight, while 25% eventually achieve it. Researchers analyzed childhood obesity trajectories, highlighting the slow pace of recovery.
Researchers found that early treatment of child obesity is effective in improving weight status and metabolic health. Children whose parents received parental support had the best results, with more showing a clinically relevant improvement.
A comprehensive review of sedentary behavior's effects on health found excessive sitting to lead to insulin resistance, vascular dysfunction, and increased body fat. The study emphasizes the need for more research on effective interventions to reduce sedentary behavior.
State-mandated school-based BMI assessments may help overweight students recognize their weight status but also lead to distorted self-image and body perception among non-overweight girls. The research found a small decrease in teens' BMI, primarily among those on the margin of being overweight.
Researchers at UC Irvine issue a warning that GLP-1RA's may be dangerous for children due to the risk of nutrient imbalance and abuse. The team notes that children need energy and sufficient calories for growth and development, and any change in their diet and exercise balance can have long-term health consequences.
The University of Tennessee Extension will address health disparities related to poor nutrition, physical activity, and obesity in seven rural Tennessee counties. The CDC's High Obesity Program funding aims to reduce chronic diseases by improving access to fresh foods and opportunities for physical activity.
A pilot study led by George Mason University's Michael Bloom explores the impact of PFAS on weight loss in Hispanic children participating in a community-based weight loss intervention. The research aims to quantify associations between PFAS exposure and weight lost, as well as clinical biomarkers.
A new study from Texas A&M University finds a correlation between secondhand smoke exposure and higher blood lead levels in children. The research suggests that education and mitigation efforts can further protect kids and adolescents from lead exposure, building on past success of lead removal initiatives.
A study found that adolescents from low-income families gained more weight during the pandemic, with girls experiencing accelerated weight gain. The researchers tracked over 400 low-income Hispanic families and compared their weight gain to a cohort of wealthier families.
A new study found an increase in precocious puberty diagnoses among girls during the COVID-19 pandemic due to poor lifestyle changes. Girls with higher body mass index scores were more likely to be diagnosed with early puberty, suggesting a link between rapid weight gain and advanced pubertal development.
A study led by ISGlobal found that moving to areas with higher levels of air pollution was associated with a small increase in body mass index in young children. The effect was stronger in preschool- and primary school children, and independent of socioeconomic status.
Childhood obesity is linked to increased risk of high blood pressure, blood lipids, and blood glucose, which can lead to cardiovascular damage. Interventions such as regular physical activity and healthy eating habits can help prevent adult coronary heart disease.
Researchers at MSU and Henry Ford Health will study the connections between maternal body mass index (BMI) and childhood obesity. They aim to identify biological mechanisms that contribute to childhood obesity and develop interventions to prevent it in infancy.
A new study found that social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram are ideal spaces to educate and guide US youth of color on healthy weight management. Nearly 1 in 4 adolescents experienced obesity from 2017 to 2020, with youths of color experiencing disproportionately higher rates.
A new study reveals that children experiencing racial discrimination are more likely to develop a higher BMI and larger waistline. Researchers found that racial discrimination was associated with an increased risk of obesity in kids, even after adjusting for socioeconomic factors.
A recent study found a significant association between racial discrimination and obesity in children and adolescents, suggesting that addressing this issue is crucial for improving their health outcomes. The research highlights the importance of considering racism as a risk factor for obesity in addition to socioeconomic status.
A recent international study of over 745,000 adolescents from 41 countries found a decrease in those who overestimate their weight and an increase in those who underestimate it. This shift could reduce the effectiveness of public health interventions aimed at weight reduction in young people, as they may make unhealthy lifestyle choices.
A new study from the University of Missouri-Columbia found that supportive communities and education about breastfeeding health benefits can boost breastfeeding rates, particularly in rural areas where it is less common. The study also showed that reduced stigma surrounding breastfeeding occurred with increased community exposure.
A new study found associations between socioeconomic status, childhood obesity, cognitive performance, and white matter microstructure. Obesity and cognition may play a role in these associations, with future research benefiting from considering multiple socioeconomic perspectives.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that pediatrician and family collaboration can address obesity. The study showed that three times as many children in the treatment group had a clinically meaningful reduction in body mass index (BMI), resulting in improved cardiometabolic outcomes.