Articles tagged with Childhood Obesity
A new study published by Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine found a strong link between fast food consumption and weight gain in pre-school age children. The research followed over 500 children for one year and showed that eating fast food independently contributes to excess weight gain at this young age.
A study published in Endocrine Connections found that mindfulness-based therapy can lead to greater weight loss and reduced stress in obese children compared to a calorie-restricted diet alone. The therapy was found to counteract the negative effects of anxiety on weight loss.
Treating childhood obesity is associated with improved psychological outcomes, including enhanced self-esteem and body image. Losing weight appears to be less crucial for improving self-esteem, but still important for bettering body image.
A study found The Daily Mile intervention has a smaller effect on body mass index of children than expected, with greater impact on girls. However, it's still a highly cost-effective option for them compared to boys.
The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act led to significant improvements in school meal quality, with increased whole grains, dairy, and fruits, while reducing refined grains. Participation rates rose in schools serving healthiest lunches, offsetting concerns about costs.
A study examining childhood weight and obesity in adolescence found that excess weight at age 3 was associated with a higher risk of being overweight or obese at age 15. Pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity in mothers was also a significant predictor of this outcome.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that children who consumed whole milk had a 40% lower odds of being overweight or obese compared to those who drank reduced-fat milk. This challenges current guidelines recommending reduced-fat cow milk for children.
A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that children with higher BMI tend to have a thinner cerebral cortex, especially in the prefrontal area. This may help explain the correlation between obesity and decreased executive function, such as working memory.
A new study found that over 24 routine blood tests are affected by childhood obesity, including liver function tests and inflammation markers. This discovery could help doctors better interpret test results and provide more accurate diagnoses.
Researchers are examining changes in children's diets and time use over the summer holidays to better understand factors affecting childhood obesity. The study aims to find effective ways to address the serious issue of childhood obesity by tracking the behavior of 300 Grade four students over three years.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet found no evidence to support a link between C-section deliveries and offspring obesity. After accounting for maternal and prenatal factors, they concluded that the method of childbirth did not play a significant role in determining the risk of obesity.
A study of 1,480 children found that limited TV time and low ultra-processed food consumption are associated with lower obesity risks. High physical activity, sleep duration, and plant-based food consumption also contribute to a reduced likelihood of developing overweight or obesity.
The CHIRPY DRAGON program, developed to prevent obesity in urban primary school-aged children in China, showed significant beneficial effects on healthy eating habits, physical activity, and sedentary behavior. Children who received the program had a lower body-mass index compared to those in control schools.
A 12-month trial in Guangzhou found significant reduction in weight gain among children participating in a physical activity and healthy eating intervention. The CHIRPY DRAGON programme also improved fruit and vegetable consumption, less screen time, and more physical activity.
Research suggests that impaired liver function during pregnancy can lead to altered gut bacteria composition in children, increasing the risk of obesity. Maintaining a healthy diet and targeting gut microbiome composition with pre-biotics or pro-biotics may help prevent childhood obesity.
A study of 71,892 children born between 2007-2011 found strong associations between pre-pregnancy obesity in mothers and their children's high body mass index between ages two and six. Modest links were also identified with maternal diabetes and excessive weight gain during pregnancy.
Researchers explored how high-palatable foods, physical activity levels, and socioeconomic changes impact BMI in US counties. Studies found associations between abdominal obesity, dementia, and childhood obesity with food environments.
A recent study published by Wake Forest Baptist Health suggests that the microbes living in our gut play a key role in childhood obesity. The review of existing studies reveals how a mother's health, diet, exercise level, and birth method can affect the risk of obesity in her children.
A new study by NYU researchers found that children living within a half-block of fast-food outlets were 20% obese and 38% overweight. The farther away from unhealthy food sources, the lower obesity rates, with significant reductions at just one or two blocks distance.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends greater access to weight-loss surgery for children and adolescents with severe obesity. The ASMBS has endorsed the new policy, which aims to increase access to evidence-based treatments that reduce the burden of severe obesity-related diseases.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends increased access to metabolic and bariatric surgery for children and adolescents with severe obesity, citing the growing public health crisis. Studies show that surgery is safe and effective, but underutilized due to barriers such as insurance coverage and limited centers.
Research from the University of Cambridge found an association between increased BMI and significant reductions in cortical thickness, as well as poorer performance at tests measuring executive function. The study used data from 2,700 children aged 9-11 years and controlled for various factors, including age, sex, and parental education.
A report from the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity found that 62% of children's drink sales were dominated by fruit drinks and flavored waters with added sugars. Healthier drinks like 100 percent juice represented only 38% of sales, with companies spending $20.7 million to advertise sugar-sweetened drinks to children.
A new study has revealed three simple factors that predict whether a healthy weight child will be overweight or obese by adolescence. The research found that a child's and mother's Body Mass Index (BMI) and the mother's education level are key predictors of weight problems by age 14-15 years.
A multi-national study reveals that children of normal weight who later become severely obese are often girls or from black populations, highlighting the need for tailored monitoring and prevention efforts. The study provides a predictive tool for doctors to focus intervention on high-risk individuals.
Children with autism spectrum disorders have a 41.1% higher risk of developing obesity compared to matched groups, with 22 out of 100 affected. Additionally, certain subgroups, such as non-Caucasian race and female children, are disproportionately affected by excess weight gain.
A recent NIH-funded study reveals that children born to mothers with high blood lead levels are more likely to be overweight or obese. Folate intake after giving birth may help reduce this risk. The study analyzed data from the Boston Birth Cohort and found a significant association between maternal lead exposure and childhood obesity.
A Norwegian study by the University of Bergen found that obese boys between 8 and their voice break age have double the risk of having children with asthma compared to non-obese peers. The connection is attributed to the development of reproductive cells during this period.
A recent study published in Economics and Human Biology suggests that the current obesity epidemic in adults may have been caused by excessive sugar consumption in childhood. The researchers modeled the increase in US adult obesity rates since the 1990s as a legacy of increased excess sugar consumption measured among children in the 19...
A randomized controlled study suggests that probiotic supplements can help obese children lose body weight and reduce their risk of future metabolic conditions. The findings support the potential benefits of microbiome-based treatments for tackling childhood obesity.
Research found that genetic modifications reducing leptin levels were more common in formula-fed babies, associated with higher body weight and increased risk of obesity. Breastfed infants had lower rates of these modifications, suggesting epigenetic mechanisms may play a role in childhood obesity development.
A new University of Maryland School of Medicine study examines the impact of food insecurity among children from birth to age four, finding a steady rise in obesity rates as they grow. Despite food insecurity, toddlers are more likely to experience poor overall health and developmental problems.
A five-year WSU study is tracking 200 Seattle-area children to measure physical activity, body mass index, sleep, and gut microbiome in two groups: Tiny Trees outdoor preschool students and traditional preschool students. The goal is to evaluate the feasibility and sustainability of outdoor preschools in preventing childhood obesity.
A new study by Cornell University reveals that growing up in disadvantaged neighborhoods increases the risk of obesity in adulthood, with teens facing a 29% higher chance. The research, which controlled for genes and parental stress, shows that neighborhood disadvantage can have a lasting impact on health.
A large-scale study has identified a robust new signal and fine-mapped previously reported genetic variants associated with childhood obesity. The findings suggest that genetic influences on obesity operate across the lifespan and provide valuable insights into potential treatments.
A recent study found that excessive screen time in Finnish children is associated with both overweight and abdominal obesity. The research, based on data from over 10,000 children aged 9-12, suggests a strong link between sedentary screen use and weight gain.
A comprehensive review of 103 studies involving nearly 478,000 European children aged 2-13 found that nearly 20% were obese and over 15% were overweight. The study highlights the urgent need for effective prevention strategies to address childhood obesity in Europe.
A collaborative project funded by the CDC improved healthy eating and physical activity standards in nearly 1,200 child care programs across ten states. The six-year initiative led to significant increases in best practices, particularly in outdoor play and learning, resulting in lower obesity risk among young children.
A study published by The Endocrine Society found that exposure to bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol F (BPF) in plastics and canned foods may contribute to childhood obesity. Children with higher levels of these chemicals in their urine were more likely to have obesity compared to those with lower levels.
A study by Murdoch Children's Research Institute found that the quantity and variety of snacks, not plate size, influence children's snacking behavior. The research suggests reducing snack food options and energy density may help combat obesity in children.
A single-center study of 453 children with multiple sclerosis found a significant association between obesity and increased risk of pediatric MS. The study also explored the response of first-line therapy in obese children with MS, but no conclusive findings were reported.
A recent study published in Pediatric Obesity found that Leeds, England has bucked the global trend by reducing childhood obesity by 6.4%. The decline coincided with a strategy targeting families with preschool children in poor areas, utilizing the Health Exercise Nutrition for the Really Young (HENRY) intervention program.
A large-scale study found elevated levels of a biomarker for uranium toxicity in Kuwaiti children who developed obesity and metabolic syndrome. The study suggests that uranium exposure may contribute to the country's high rates of obesity and diabetes.
Children with obesity participating in a fun-driven aerobic exercise program showed no significant improvement in mood compared to those in a sedentary after-school program. However, the sedentary group reported depressive symptoms decreased over time, possibly due to social interactions and friendships developed during the program.
A new study found that people who are obese from childhood through middle age face a higher risk of difficulty with daily tasks such as lifting and carrying shopping by the time they are 50. Those who become obese in early life have more than double the risk of difficulties compared to those who were never obese.
Overweight and obesity rates decreased significantly among low-income children enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) between 2010 and 2016. The declines were seen across all age, sex, and racial/ethnic subgroups, with obesity rates dropping from 15.9% to 13.9%.
A study of nearly 800,000 NYC schoolchildren found that Black, Hispanic, and Asian students live closer to unhealthy food outlets than White students. The researchers used precise home and school address data to calculate distance to each student's closest food outlet.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that mothers with pre-pregnancy obesity are up to three times more likely to have obese children. The study suggests that interventions targeting weight management in women of childbearing age could help prevent intergenerational obesity.
A large community-based study of over 25,000 Iranian youths found that obesity is correlated with depression among boys but not girls. Underweight boys have an increased risk of depression, while overweight girls do. The study suggests weight management interventions should anticipate potential depression in boys.
A new study reveals that obese adolescents are significantly more likely to experience bullying, with greater odds of depression, behavioral problems, and difficulty making friends. The study also found no link between obesity and being a perpetrator of bullying alone.
A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that a home-based weight management program improved the health of both children and their parents. The Developing Relationships that Include Values of Eating and Exercise (DRIVE) curriculum led to modest reductions in body mass index for children and signif...
A study of over 3,000 children followed from age 9 to 17 found that those with persistent obesity experience increased arterial stiffness, a clear sign of atherosclerosis. The researchers emphasize the importance of normalizing fat mass and improving metabolic health in this age group.
Research found that children from disadvantaged backgrounds, including ethnic minorities, engage in less vigorous physical activity compared to their more advantaged peers. The study suggests that promoting vigorous physical activity can help reduce childhood obesity and its associated health risks.
A study of 41,399 children found socio-economic inequalities in BMI emerge by pre-school age and continue to widen as children age. Children from primary educated maternal backgrounds are more likely to be overweight or obese at any age compared to those from tertiary educated mothers.
Research found that pregnant women with high glucose blood levels are at increased risk of their children developing obesity in childhood. The study followed over 40,000 pregnancies and found a 13% higher risk of obesity if blood glucose levels were elevated on the screening test.
A new study found that a genetic variant of the FTO gene is associated with increased food intake in children who are at risk for obesity, even before they develop the condition. The study suggests that early identification of this behavior can inform best practices for intervention and prevention of obesity in children.
A new study from the University of Cambridge found that children who regularly walk or cycle to school are less likely to be overweight or obese. The research measured body fat and muscle mass instead of using BMI, revealing a trend where inactive children were more likely to be obese.
New research reveals that obese children are over a third more likely to require a hospital emergency department visit than their normal weight counterparts. The study found a 36% increased risk of visiting the emergency department among obese children compared to healthy weight children.
Research from WHO Europe found that babies who were never or only partially breastfed have a higher risk of becoming obese as children compared to exclusively breastfed babies. The study suggests that promoting breastfeeding practices can help prevent childhood obesity in Europe, but adoption rates are still below global recommendations.
The study found a significant variation in the prevalence of severe child obesity across European countries, with Southern Europe showing the highest rates. Severe obesity is associated with worse health outcomes and limited treatment options, highlighting the need for effective policy measures to prevent obesity.