Food habits, physical activities and sedentary lifestyles of eutrophic and obese school children: a case-control study

Health and demographic indicators of selected districts of India: An impact of Swasthya Rakshan Programme (SRP)

Swasthya Rakshan Programme (SRP) provides health care services through Ayurveda, an initiative of the Government of India that aims to survey and create alertness of essential health appliances to ameliorate society from its grassroots level. The present study aimed to survey the prevailing health standards of residents in certain districts of India and to record the prevalence of diseases among them according to their living conditions, food habits, lifestyle, education, occupation and other socio-economic status. Data was collected through a community-based cross-sectional survey conducted from April 2018 to March 2019 in 22 Districts of 19 states in India. A stratified multi-stage sampling design was adopted for the survey. Documentation of demographic profile, food habits, lifestyle, hygiene status, and existing health conditions was assessed. A pre-designed semi-structured questionnaire was used for the collection of the data. Before initiating the programme, written consent was obtained. In this study, from 162 selected villages/colonies/areas, a total of 562,913 population and 81,651 households were surveyed. Sixty-nine thousand three hundred nineteen patients were cared for various ailments through health camps. The study found that the most prevalent disease in the concerned population was 'Sandhivata' (Osteo-arthritis), that is, 43.0%, followed by 'Dourbalya' (Debility), that is, 11.7%. The study includes insightful analyses of comprehensive demographic and health indicators classified by various socio-economic categories. The collected data regarding the prevalence of diseases with their sociodemographic correlations may provide a better understanding of the locality and thus may help in all future health endeavours.

Protective Association of APOC1/rs4420638 with Risk of Obesity: A case-control Study in Portuguese Children

The association of the rs4420638 polymorphism, near the APOC1 gene, was examined with the risk of obesity among Portuguese children. A sample of 446 Portuguese individuals (231 boys and 215 girls) of European descent, aged 3.2 to 13.7 years old (mean age: 7.98 years), were selected to conduct a case-control study. Body mass index (BMI), BMI Z-scores, and waist circumference were calculated. Genotyping was performed by real time PCR using a pre-designed TaqMan probe. Logistic regression and the nonparametric Mann-Whitney test were used to test the associations. The association results revealed a significant protective effect from the minor G-allele of SNP rs4420638 against obesity, with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.619 (95% CI 0.421-0.913; p = 0.0155) in the additive model, and OR of 0.587 (95% CI 0.383-0.9; p = 0.0145) in the dominant model. Moreover, comparing genotype groups (AA vs. AG + GG), significantly lower values (p < 0.05) for the anthropometric traits weight, height, BMI, BMI Z-score and waist circumference, were observed in the carriers of allele G. The present study provides further evidence for the APOE/APOC1 candidate-region association with the risk of obesity. This was the first study to describe the protective association of the rs4420638 minor G-allele against obesity in childhood exclusively.

Effectiveness of Ramadan diurnal intermittent fasting and concurrent training in the management of obesity: is the combination worth the weight?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

We investigated, in men with obesity, the efficacy of the combination of two strategies (Ramadan diurnal intermittent fasting 'RDIF' strategy vs RDIF plus concurrent training program 'RDIF-CT' strategy) known for their positive impact on body composition and then we explored the possible impact on metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Twenty obese men, age: 31.8 ± 7.05 years, BMI: 33.1 ± 4.2 kg m^-2, performing regularly RDIF, were randomized into two groups: RDIF-CT (n = 10) and RDIF without training (RDIF-NCT) (n = 10). The RDIF-CT group participated in High intensity interval training (HIIT) program combined with resistance exercises for 4 weeks. Body composition, blood glucose, lipid profile, liver biomarkers and inflammation were assessed before and after 4-week RDIF. Both groups showed a significant decrease in weight, fat mass (FM), fat percentage (Fat%) and waist circumference (WC) and an improvement in blood glucose, lipid profile and inflammation. Fat free mass decreased significantly in RDIF-NCT (p < 0.05) while remaining unchanged in RDIF-CT. However, RDIF-CT induced greater improvements in body composition (i.e., weight, FM, Fat% and WC (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, p < 0.01 and p < 0.05; respectively)) as well as greater decrease in lipid biomarkers (i.e., TC, TG and LDL (p < 0.01 for all)), inflammation (i.e., CRP (p < 0.05)), and liver damage (i.e., ASAT, ALAT and Gamma-GT (p < 0.01, p < 0.05 and p < 0.001; respectively)) compared to RDIF-NCT group pre-post intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that a combination of RDIF and CT induces greater changes in body composition, lipid profile, inflammation and liver biomarkers compared to RDIF strategy alone.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTER

PACTR202203475387226.

Sobrepeso y obesidad: factores familiares, dietéticos y de actividad física en escolares de una institución educativa de estrato medio-alto en Cali, Colombia

Introducción.

Colombia es un país con problemas de sobrepeso y obesidad que, en muchas ocasiones, se deben a malos hábitos alimenticios.

Objetivos.

Describir la prevalencia del sobrepeso y la obesidad, así como los factores familiares, dietéticos y de actividad física en un grupo de escolares entre los 6 y los 9 años de edad pertenecientes al estrato socioeconómico 4 en Santiago de Cali, Colombia.

Materiales y métodos.

Se hizo un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal en 150 niños de una institución educativa. Los datos sociodemográficos se recolectaron con un instrumento validado previamente. Para el diagnóstico del estado nutricional, se tomaron medidas antropométricas y se analizaron con el programa Anthro Plus de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS). Se detectaron 62 niños con sobrepeso u obesidad.

Resultados.

En cuanto al diagnóstico nutricional, 42 (28 %) niños tenían sobrepeso y 20 (13 %), obesidad. El 78 % pertenecía a los estratos socioeconómicos 4 y 5. En cuanto a las características familiares, el 47 % tenía un solo hermano y el 25 % correspondía a hijos únicos; el 76 % de las madres y el 70 % de los padres eran profesionales; el 95 % de los niños no hacía actividad física importante.

Conclusiones.

En el análisis de la asociación entre algunas variables, se evidenció la relación entre el estado nutricional y el número de hermanos; los escolares con mayor prevalencia de sobrepeso u obesidad, con mayor frecuencia eran hijos únicos o tenían solo un hermano. Se estableció asociación con la edad de las madres, especialmente entre los 41 y los 50 años, la escolaridad de los padres, el hecho de tener una ocupación o trabajo fuera del hogar, y la pertenencia a los estratos socioeconómicos 4 y 5.

Physical Activity, Screen Time, and Sleep Trajectories From Childhood to Adolescence: The Influence of Sex and Body Weight Status

BACKGROUND

Behavioral trajectories from childhood to adolescence may differ and are poorly understood. The authors estimated the trajectories of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), screen time, and sleep duration during this period, by sex and initial weight status.

METHODS

Data from Quebec Adiposity and Lifestyle Investigation in Youth, an ongoing cohort study in Canada on the natural history of obesity, were used. Participants predisposed to obesity attended baseline (8-10 y old, n = 630) and follow-up visits 2 years (n = 564) and 7 years (n = 359) after baseline. Participants with completed self-reported and accelerometer-based data were included in the analyses (n = 191, 353, and 240 for MVPA, screen time, and sleep, respectively). The authors performed group-based trajectory analyses and multinomial logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Two MVPA, 3 screen time, and 2 sleep trajectories were identified. Girls were more likely than boys to belong to trajectory with lower MVPA means (odds ratio [OR] = 6.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.08 to 13.49), yet less likely to belong to the trajectory with higher screen time (OR = 0.47; 95% CI, 0.23 to 0.97) and lower sleep duration (OR = 0.46; 95% CI, 0.27 to 0.78). Overweight or obesity at baseline was associated with a greater likelihood of belonging to the trajectory with lower MVPA (OR = 10.99; 95% CI, 1.31 to 91.14) and higher screen time (OR = 2.01; 95% CI, 1.04 to 4.06), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

It appears to be gender- and weight-based determinants of behavioral trajectories in this sample. These results may provide guidance for interventions in similar populations.

Nutritional Characteristics, Sites of Origin, and Cost of Foods Consumed during School Hours and Their Relationship to Nutritional Status of Schoolchildren in Mexico City

Access, nutritional characteristics, preferences, and cost can affect food intake at school. A cross-sectional study was performed to determine the nutritional characteristics, sites of origin, and cost of foods consumed during school hours. Three hundred and sixty-nine children from five public elementary schools in Mexico City participated. The children gave information about the foods that they consumed five days out of the week during school hours, including the place of acquisition, cost of the food, and portion size. Anthropometric measurements of height and weight of the children were taken. Caloric consumption and percentage of recommended daily energy intake from food during school hours was determined. Children were 10.9 ± 0.9 years old; 55.6% were girls, 26% were overweight, 23% were obese, and 3.3% were of low height for age. The average calorie intake was 515 kilocalories (kcal) (boys, 535 kcal; girls, 476 kcal, p = 0.051); calorie intake was higher when school meal intakes included foods from home, school, and outside of school. No significant differences were found in calorie intake by children’s nutritional status. The cost in Mexican pesos per 100 kcal consumed showed differences according to the nutritional status of the children; it was 4.0 Mexican pesos for children with normal weight and 4.2 and 3.8 pesos in children who were overweight or obese, respectively. The information obtained in this study should be used to provide nutritional guidance. The food portion size intake during school hours should be reduced, and the food should come from one or at most two sites, because each extra food represents an increase in the total kilocalorie intake.

Impact of a Nutrition-Related Community Intervention on the Quantity and Quality of Children's School almuerzo

Foods and beverages that schoolchildren carry in their lunchboxes have high energy values but lack plain water, fresh fruits and vegetables. A nutrition-related community intervention on the quantity and quality of school almuerzo was performed, in which four primary schools participated, as part of two groups: 225 children in the intervention group (IG) and 177 children in the control group (CG). The parents from the IG had access to a website where they could consult information on eating habits and physical activity or school almuerzo menus. They were sent weekly text messages on their mobile phones and attended in-person sessions. Anthropometric measurements and surveys were performed in both groups at the start of the study, as well as after 6 and 12 months. The school almuerzo was assessed by recording foods that the children brought in their lunchboxes. At baseline, 88% of children brought a school almuerzo, 37% fruit, 17% vegetables, 40% plain water and 50% sweet drinks. In both groups, 50% of children brought a school almuerzo with an energy value above the recommended value (>340 kcal) during follow-up; however, the percentage of children who brought sweet drinks decreased (p < 0.05), with sweet drinks contributing between 26% and 33% of the calories in the school almuerzo. In the IG, the quantity in milliliters of plain water increased at the end of the follow-up period (p = 0.044). From the point of view of food-and-beverage quantity and quality, school almuerzo were unhealthy for both groups. The intervention failed to increase the frequency with which parents provided children with school almuerzo or enhance the quality of the latter.

Pathway linking physical activity, sleep duration, and breakfast consumption with the physical/psychosocial health of schoolchildren

The relationship between certain lifestyle habits and schoolchildren's health has previously been reported on, but the exact pathway of the effects lifestyle habits have on physical/psychosocial health (PPH) has not been investigated nor has the relative influence of different habits on schoolchildren's health. In this study, schoolchildren were recruited from a primary school in Toyama Prefecture, Japan (n = 576), and the relevant data were collected in June/July 2017. Path analysis was used to examine the relationships of lifestyle habits and physical fitness with PPH among schoolchildren in grades 1-4 and 5-6. Body weight and total fitness scores were found to be not related to the children's PPH. The pathway via which lifestyle habits influenced PPH was determined successfully. Among children in grades 1-4, sex (p < .05), age (p < .01), and breakfast intake (p < .05) were related to PPH. Among schoolchildren in grades 5-6, the duration of sleep (p < .05) was related to PPH. Thus, factors related to schoolchildren's PPH vary by school grade. The identification of the predictors of the PPH of schoolchildren should inform the design of tailored, grade-specific health promotion interventions in Japanese elementary schools.

Preliminary Results of the Planet Nutrition Program on Obesity Parameters in Mexican Schoolchildren: Pilot Single-School Randomized Controlled Trial

School-based obesity prevention programs are key to promoting healthy habits. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the Planet Nutrition program on BMI z-score and other parameters compared to a control group of Mexican schoolchildren after 9 weeks of intervention. The effect of the summer holidays on the BMI z-score was also evaluated at 23 weeks. A pilot randomized controlled trial design was used and 41 schoolchildren were randomized (21 intervention group and 20 control). The program included 18 nutrition education sessions, 20 physical activity classes and six brochures for parents. At 9 weeks, no significant differences were found between the intervention and control groups in the change in BMI z-score (-0.11, 95% CI -0.23, 0.01). Significant differences were observed in some secondary outcomes: body fat percentage (-1.72, 95% CI -3.42, -0.02), waist circumference (-3.45, 95% CI -5.55, -1.36), physical activity (0.44, 95% CI 0.01, 0.88) and nutrition knowledge (1.15, 95% CI 0.27, 2.03). Summer holidays negatively affected the BMI z-score in both groups, reducing the difference observed between groups at 9 weeks (-0.07, 95% CI -0.22, 0.07). The Planet Nutrition program showed favorable effects in some obesity and lifestyle parameters in the short term.

U.S. Children and Youth's Physical Activities Inside and Outside of School PE: 1985 vs. 2012

The purpose of this study was, by taking advantage of the rich data from two U.S. national fitness surveys, to examine the physical activity (PA) students engaged in, both inside and outside school physical education (PE), determine if there are differences by grade, sex, and weight status, and if there was a change between 1985 and 2012. The data from the 1985 National Children and Youth Fitness Study (NCYFS) and the 2012 NHANES National Youth Fitness Survey (NNYFS) were matched, merged (N = 6178, 3107 boys and 3071 girls), and analyzed. It was found that basketball remained the most popular PA inside school PE across both surveys. Swimming was the most popular PA outside of school PE in 1985, but was replaced by running in 2012. Although PA taught and promoted inside of school PE and that such PA practiced outside were moderately correlated across the surveys, some disconnections were noticed. The impact of grade, sex, and weight status on PA preference and participation was also confirmed. What is needed is to the design and integration of more lifelong and individual PAs in future school PE curricula and school and community children and youth sport and PA programs.

Prevalence of obesity and association between body mass index and different aspects of lifestyle in medical sciences students: A cross-sectional study

Aim

The global obesity pandemic is a major health problem with adverse effects on physical and mental health. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of obesity and the association between BMI and different aspects of lifestyle.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Methods

Data collected from 380 medical sciences students using demographic characteristics and Eating Behavior, Physical Activity and Perceived Stress Questionnaires were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, namely analysis of variance (ANOVA), t test, Pearson's test and multivariate linear regression model.

Results

The prevalence of obesity and overweight was 3.2% and 25.3%, respectively. There was a positive and significant statistical association between emotional eating (r = .542), extrinsic eating (r = .488) and perceived stress (r = .489) with BMI, also significant and an inverse association was obtained between emotional eating (r = -.488) and total physical activity score (r = -.394) with BMI. Factors such as sex, total physical activity score and leisure time activity, external eating behaviours, emotional eating, restricted eating and perceived stress had a significant role in explaining BMI changes.

Conclusion

There is a need to develop interventions to improve dietary behaviours, management stress and access to sports facilities by health-promoting activities and the provision of online health resources.

Association between perinatal factors, genetic susceptibility to obesity and age at adiposity rebound in children of the EDEN mother-child cohort

BACKGROUND

Early adiposity rebound (AR) has been associated with increased risk of overweight or obesity in adulthood. However, little is known about early predictors of age at AR. We aimed to study the role of perinatal factors and genetic susceptibility to obesity in the kinetics of AR.

METHODS

Body mass index (BMI) curves were modelled by using mixed-effects cubic models, and age at AR was estimated for 1415 children of the EDEN mother-child cohort study. A combined obesity risk-allele score was calculated from genotypes for 27 variants identified by genome-wide association studies of adult BMI. Perinatal factors of interest were maternal age at delivery, parental education, parental BMI, gestational weight gain, maternal smoking during pregnancy, and newborn characteristics (sex, prematurity, and birth weight). We used a hierarchical level approach with multivariable linear regression model to investigate the association between these factors, obesity risk-allele score, and age at AR.

RESULTS

A higher genetic susceptibility to obesity score was associated with an earlier age at AR. At the most distal level of the hierarchical model, maternal and paternal educational levels were positively associated with age at AR. Children born to parents with higher BMI were more likely to exhibit earlier age at AR. In addition, higher gestational weight gain was related to earlier age at AR. For children born small for gestational age, the average age at AR was 88 [±39] days lower than for children born appropriate for gestational age and 91 [±56] days lower than for children born large for gestational age.

CONCLUSION

The timing of AR seems to be an early childhood manifestation of the genetic susceptibility to adult obesity. We further identified low birth weight and gestational weight gain as novel predictors of early AR, highlighting the role of the intrauterine environment in the kinetics of adiposity.

Sex-Specific Temporal Trends in Overweight and Obese Among Schoolchildren From 2009 to 2018: An Age Period Cohort Analysis

Background: Our study examined the age, period, and cohort effects on overweight and obesity in children using a 10-year dataset collected from schoolchildren in Hualien, Taiwan. Methods: We used data from the annual health checkup of a total of 94,661 schoolchildren in primary schools and junior high schools in Hualien from 2009 to 2018. Children were defined as overweight or obese by the gender- and age-specific norm of the body mass index. We conducted the age-period-cohort (APC) analysis in boys and girls separately. Results: From 2009 to 2018, the rates of children overweight and obese were 12.78 and 14.23%, respectively. Boys had higher rates of overweight and obesity than girls (29.73 vs. 24.03%, P < 0.001). Based on APC analysis results, positive age effect existed regardless of gender. The risk of overweight or obesity of children aged 9 or 12 years was significantly higher compared to the average rate. As for period effect, a fluctuating downward trend in overweight was evident in 2016, and a similar trend in obesity was seen in 2017 across gender groups. The birth cohort of 2007 to 2009 had a significant higher proportion of overweight and obese than other birth cohorts. This indicated that the proportion of children overweight and obese in the young generation is higher than that in the old generation. Conclusion: An increased risk of children overweight or obese was associated with age and later birth cohort. For the period effect, the trend in the prevalence of overweight and obesity fluctuated downward slowly from 2016 to 2017.

Association between eating habits, body mass index, cardiorespiratory fitness, and cardiometabolic risk factors in children

ABSTRACT Objective To verify the multivariate relationships between eating habits, cardiorespiratory fitness, body mass index, and cardiometabolic risk factors in children. Methods This is a cross-sectional study developed in a public elementary school with 60 first- to sixth-graders. Their eating habits were assessed using the Food Frequency Survey, weight, height, and cardiorespiratory fitness, assessed according to the Projeto Esporte Brasil protocol. Moreover, the variables, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, glucose, insulin, C-reactive protein, adiponectin, leptin, diastolic and systolic blood pressure were evaluated. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis and generalized estimation equations were used for the analysis of direct and indirect relations, in a multivariate analysis model with several simultaneous outcomes. Results It appears that the eating habits and cardiorespiratory fitness explain 20% of the body mass index. Cardiometabolic risk factors are explained by the relationship between eating habits, cardiorespiratory fitness, and body mass index, according to the following percentages: 29% (systolic blood pressure), 18% (diastolic blood pressure), 63% (leptin), 4% (adiponectin), 14% (C-reactive protein), 17% (insulin), 10% (high-density lipoprotein), 1% (low-density lipoprotein), 4% (glucose). It is also observed that the effects of the eating habits on cardiometabolic risk factors are indirect, that is, they are dependent on changes in the body mass index and cardiorespiratory fitness levels. Conclusions The relationship between eating habits and cardiometabolic risk factors in children is dependent on cardiorespiratory fitness and body mass index. Thus, our findings suggest a multivariate relationship between these factors.

Social and family factors as determinants of exercise habits in Japanese elementary school children: a cross-sectional study from the Super Shokuiku School Project

BACKGROUND

Many studies have already reported on the relationship between exercise habits and health among schoolchildren. However, few have examined social and/or family factors as determinants of exercise habits.

METHODS

This study's participants included 1721 schoolchildren aged between 6 and 13 who were involved in the Super Shokuiku School Project in January 2016. A survey was conducted to assess gender, grade level, physical activity, lifestyle, overall health, enrichment of school life, social background, and parental lifestyles. Both dislike and lack of physical activity were used to measure poor exercise habits; correlates were analyzed using logistic regression.

RESULTS

"Lack of close friends" had the strongest links with both dislike (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 5.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.78-10.1) and lack of (adjusted OR 5.40; 95% CI, 2.81-10.4) physical activity. Further, children who engaged in long periods of screen time and lacked parental communication also tended to dislike and lack physical activity. Children with mothers who were unemployed (housewives) and had unhealthy lifestyles, as well as those with poor health, were also more likely to lack physical activity.

CONCLUSION

Social and family factors (e.g., having close friends) may be determinants of exercise habits among schoolchildren, independent of their own lifestyle factors. Although a longitudinal study is needed to determine causality, substantial attention may thus be required to these factors when promoting physical activity in children.

Association of polymorphism in heat shock protein 70 genes with type 2 diabetes in Bangladeshi population

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disorder of which stress is a major contributor. Under stressful condition, body synthesizes a family of molecular chaperone called Heat-shock proteins (HSPs). Current study assessed the frequency and association of HSP70-hom + 2,437 T/C polymorphism with T2DM risk among Bangladeshis.

METHODS

This polymorphism was selected through bioinformatics analyses and identified by PCR-RFLP method.

RESULTS

Bioinformatics analysis identified this SNP as missense mutation which could destabilize the final HSP product. Heterozygous mutant (CT) genotype was significantly associated with T2DM incidence among the studied populations (p = .015). Further analysis revealed a strong association with female patients (p = .002), while the male group showed no association (p = .958). Moreover, the C allele was significantly associated among all diabetic patients (p = .016) and particularly in the female patient group (p = .001). However, under stressful condition, males with CT genotype were at high risk for T2DM incidence whereas, females with CT genotype showed no significant association.

CONCLUSIONS

HSP70-hom + 2,437 T/C polymorphism was found to be significantly associated with T2DM incidence in the Bangladeshi population in both stress-dependent and independent manners.

The Effect of Eating Habits' Quality on Scholastic Performance in Turkish Adolescents

Evidence associates scholastic performance to quality of eating habits. However, there is limited information on this topic in Turkey, an emerging economy with notable disparities. Our work aimed to evaluate the effect of eating habits quality of high-school students in Turkey, on the Scholastic Aptitude Standardized Examination (TEOG) scores. The study was conducted in 29 different cities in Turkey during the academic year 2016–2017, involving students of ages 14–17 years (up to senior-high school). A dietary habits survey developed and validated for this population was distributed over the internet in February 2017. Apart from students’ TEOG scores, Family Affluence Score (FAS) was used to categorize the students into low, medium, and high financial standing. Eating Habits Score (EHS) was calculated by using a validated scoring system. A working sample of 298 participants was used. Based on our results, we observed that there is a significant positive correlation between EHS, FAS and success rate of students as assessed by TEOG scores. Further research on this subject should be conducted in combination with intervention studies to reveal potential strategies and policies that would enhance positive behavior change as it relates to nutritional habits, aiming at improved scholastic performance and overall health throughout lifespan.

Effect of a High-Fat Diet and Occupational Exposure in Different Rat Strains on Lung and Systemic Responses: Examination of the Exposome in an Animal Model

The exposome is the measure of all exposures of an individual in a lifetime and how those exposures relate to health. The goal was to examine an experimental model integrating multiple aspects of the exposome by collecting biological samples during critical life stages of an exposed animal that are applicable to worker populations. Genetic contributions were assessed using strains of male rats with different genetic backgrounds (Fischer-344, Sprague Dawley, and Brown-Norway) maintained on a regular or high-fat diet for 24 weeks. At week 7 during diet maintenance, groups of rats from each strain were exposed to stainless steel welding fume (WF; 20 mg/m3 × 3 h/d × 4 days/week × 5 weeks) or air until week 12, at which time some animals were euthanized. A separate set of rats from each strain were allowed to recover from WF exposure until the end of the 24-week period. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and serum were collected at 7, 12, and 24 weeks to assess general health indices. Depending on animal strain, WF exposure and high-fat diet together worsened kidney toxicity as well as altered different serum enzymes and proteins. Diet had minimal interaction with WF exposure for pulmonary toxicity endpoints. Experimental factors of diet, exposure, and strain were all important, depending on the health outcome measured. Exposure had the most significant influence related to pulmonary responses. Strain was the most significant contributor regarding the other health indices examined, indicating that genetic differences possibly drive the exposome effect in each strain.

Contribution of genetic, biochemical and environmental factors on insulin resistance and obesity in Mexican young adults

Overweight/obesity, dyslipidemias, hypertension and hyperglycemia are strongly related to non-communicable diseases (NCD) in which genetic and environmental factors interact with each other. The Mexican population exhibit a genetic disposition to metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, as well as many forms of dyslipidemia. This study aimed to determine the association between biochemical, genetic and environmental factors in the development of metabolic syndrome (MS), obesity and insulin resistance (IR) in Mexican young adults. Young women and men (n=6750 between 19.3±2.3 years old) participated in a health promotion program from the Autonomous University of Querétaro, México (SU-Salud program). A sub-sample of 665 participants was taken for the determination of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) rs964184 (APOAV), rs9282541 (ABCA1) and rs1260326 (GCKR), using QuantStudio 12K Flex Real-Time PCR System. For the multivariate analysis, a multiple logistic regression was performed. A prevalence of 22% of overweight and 7% of obesity was determined. The main metabolic risk factors were low levels of HDL-C (30%), IR (19%), and a high level of triglycerides (15%). The main factors associated with IR were body fat percentage and triglycerides; SNP for the ABCA1 gene was related to MS, obesity and low HDL-C; SNP for GCKR gene was related to high fasting glycemia, while APOAV SNP was related with MS, hypertriglyceridemia and low HDL-C. Our findings show that the Mexican genetic predisposition to NCD affects young adults, who can suffer MS, obesity and IR. Public health strategies must focus on prevention actions from an early age.

Influence of Mediterranean diet adherence, physical activity patterns, and weight status on cardiovascular response to cardiorespiratory fitness test in Chilean school children

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the association between Mediterranean diet adherence, physical activity (PA) patterns (i.e., screen time and PA after school), and weight status with the cardiovascular response following a cardiorespiratory fitness test.

METHODS

Participants were 605 school children: 272 girls (11.79 ± 0.93 y old) and 333 boys (12.06 ± 1.03 y old). Body mass index, waist circumference (WC), food habits, and PA patterns were evaluated. Heart rate (HR), and systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures were assessed before and immediately after the 20-m shuttle run test and the changes induced were calculated (Δ = post/pretest).

RESULTS

The cardiovascular response was higher in obese than normal weight and overweight children in terms of HR (P = 0.007) and SBP (P < 0.001). The ΔSBP presented inverse association with WC (β = -0.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.17 to -0.01; P = 0.026), food habits (β = -0.65; 95% CI, -0.81 to -0.49; P < 0.001), PA after school (β = -7.03; 95% CI, -7.84 to -6.22; P < 0.001) and PA patterns (β = -5.96; 95% CI, -6.40 to -5.52, P < 0.001). ΔDBP was not associated with food habits or PA patterns (P > 0.005). Finally, ΔHR reported inverse association with PA patterns (β = -1.67; 95% CI, -3.18 to -0.17; P = 0.029).

CONCLUSION

School children with obesity showed a higher cardiovascular response in HR and SBP than normal weight and overweight peers. Moreover, the increment of the SBP presented inverse association with food habits and PA patterns.

The relationship between physical activity and diet, and overweight and obesity, in young people

BACKGROUND

Childhood obesity has a worldwide association with serious health problems and complications that increase the risk of illness and death.

AIM

To identify and assess the factors contributing to overweight and obesity among school students in north Jordan.

METHOD

A descriptive cross-sectional study involving 1,554 students was conducted between October 2014 and February 2015.

RESULTS

More than two thirds (70%) of participants were normal weight (5th percentile-<85th percentile), while 12% were overweight and 13% were obese. The prevalence of obesity was high (20%) among those eating snacks three times per day. The prevalence of overweight was high (12%) among those who followed no regular physical activity programme.

CONCLUSION

Collaboration is required between policymakers, healthcare professionals, business and community leaders, schools and local organisations to create suitable environments that support healthy lifestyles for children and young people.

A novel vibration-induced exercise paradigm improves fitness and lipid metabolism of Caenorhabditis elegans

Exercise has been known to reduce the risk of obesity and metabolic syndrome, but the mechanisms underlying many exercise benefits remain unclear. This is, in part, due to a lack of exercise paradigms in invertebrate model organisms that would allow rapid mechanistic studies to be conducted. Here we report a novel exercise paradigm in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) that can be implemented under standard laboratory conditions. Mechanical stimulus in the form of vibration was transduced to C. elegans grown on solid agar media using an acoustic actuator. One day post-exercise, the exercised animals showed greater physical fitness compared to the un-exercised controls. Despite having higher mitochondrial reactive oxygen species levels, no mitohormetic adaptations and lifespan extension were observed in the exercised animals. Nonetheless, exercised animals showed lower triacylglycerides (TAG) accumulation than the controls. Among the individual TAG species, the most significant changes were found in mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acid residues. Such alteration resulted in an overall lower double bond index and peroxidation index which measure susceptibility towards lipid peroxidation. These observations are consistent with findings from mammalian exercise literature, suggesting that exercise benefits are largely conserved across different animal models.

Food and beverage intakes according to physical activity levels in European children: the IDEFICS (Identification and prevention of Dietary and lifestyle induced health EFfects In Children and infantS) study

OBJECTIVE

Physical activity (PA) levels and dietary habits are considered some of the most important factors associated with obesity. The present study aimed to examine the association between PA level and food and beverage consumption in European children (2-10 years old).Design/Setting/SubjectsA sample of 7229 children (49·0 % girls) from eight European countries participating in the IDEFICS (Identification and prevention of Dietary and lifestyle induced health EFfects In Children and infantS) study was included. Moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) was assessed objectively with accelerometers. FFQ was used to register dietary habits. ANCOVA and binary logistic regression were applied.

RESULTS

Boys who spent less time in MVPA reported lower consumption of vegetables, fruits, cereals, yoghurt, milk, bread, pasta, candies and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) than boys who spent more time in MVPA (P<0·05). Moreover, boys who spent less time in MVPA were more likely to consume fast foods and water than those in the highest MVPA tertile (P<0·05). Girls who spent less time in MVPA reported lower consumption frequencies of vegetables, pasta, bread, yoghurt, candies, jam/honey and SSB than girls in the highest MVPA tertile (P<0·05). Also, girls in the lowest MVPA tertile were more likely to consume fast foods and water than those with high levels of MVPA (P<0·05).

CONCLUSIONS

Food intake among European children varied with different levels of daily MVPA. Low time spent in MVPA was associated with lowest consumption of both high- and low-energy-dense foods and high fast-food consumption.

Methodology of the Comprehensive Program on Prevention and Control of Overweight and Obesity in Iranian Children and Adolescents: The IRAN-Ending Childhood Obesity (IRAN-ECHO) Program

Background:

The World Health Organization program on Ending Childhood Obesity (WHO-ECHO) has developed a comprehensive and integrated package of recommendations to address childhood obesity. The present study, entitled IRAN-ECHO, was designed and implemented in the framework of the WHO-ECHO program.

Methods:

The IRAN-ECHO program is implementing multicomponent interventions by considering life course dimensions. The program has two parts: a population approach and an individual approach. The population approach considers different periods in life, including prenatal, infancy, childhood, and adolescence, as well as family and society. The individual approach targets those children or adolescents with overweight or obesity; this part is conducted as a referral system that is now integrated in the current national health system. As part of the population approach, a quasi-experimental study was conducted in six provinces to compare the status before and after implementing parts of the interventions. By intersectoral collaboration with different organizations, multicomponent interventions are conducted for different age groups.

Results:

The IRAN-ECHO program is being conducted in six provinces, and will be considered in all provinces in the near future. Its main effects could be assessed in future years. Part of this program that was conducted as a quasi-experimental survey comprised 7149 students and showed that a high percentage of students had acceptable knowledge about adverse health effects of overweight and obesity. However, the knowledge about the low nutritional value of unhealthy snacks such as potato chips, puffs, industrial juices, and carbonated drinks was not appropriate. Many participants had the undesirable attitude of skipping one of the main meals when attempting to lose weight.

Conclusions:

The IRAN-ECHO program is presenting the feasibility of conducting the WHO-ECHO recommendations in Iran. The scope of potential policy recommendations to decrease childhood obesity is extensive and includes various elements. This program considers multisectoral interventions through population and individual approaches. The multicomponent interventions of this program address the obesogenic environment by considering the life course dimensions. It is expected that, by its life course interventions, it could help in primordial and primary prevention of noncommunicable diseases.

Influencing Factors of the Body Mass Index of Elementary Students in Southern Taiwan

The body mass index (BMI) of school children in Taiwan is markedly increasing. According to statistical data from the Taiwan Ministry of Education, the prevalence of obesity in school children from the southern part of the country is the highest in Taiwan. Thus, exploring the factors influencing BMI in elementary school children from southern Taiwan is crucial. This study investigated the influencing factors including physical activity levels, sedentary behaviors, dietary habits, and perceived body shape on the BMIs of elementary school children from southern Taiwan. A cross-sectional design was used, and the participants consisted of 3251 fifth-grade students (1628 boys, 50.1%; 1623 girls, 49.9%). The average BMI values for boys and girls were 19.69 and 18.70 (kg/cm) respectively. Statistically significant associations were observed between BMI and sex, 31–60 min of daily vigorous or moderate physical activities levels, length of time spent watching television, time spent on video games or the computer, and intake of vegetable or meat gravy with rice (p < 0.001). Perceived body shape also affected the BMI of school children. The results of this study enable educational institutions in Taiwan to understand the factors affecting the BMI of school children and use this information as the basis for future healthy body weight policies.

An update on the assessment and management of metabolic syndrome, a growing medical emergency in paediatric populations

In the last decades the increasing rate of obesity in children and adolescents worldwide has led to the onset in paediatric age of metabolic syndrome, a disease commonly associated to adulthood. Central obesity, dyslipidaemia, hyperglycaemia, and hypertension are typical features of metabolic syndrome that seem to hesitate often in type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and many other clinical conditions. Thus preventing and curing metabolic syndrome in paediatric patients is becoming an urgent need for public health. While diagnostic criteria and therapy of metabolic syndrome in adults are very well defined, there is no consensus on the definition of metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents as well as on healing approaches. The aim of this review is to describe the recent advances on the pathogenesis and clinical outcomes of paediatric metabolic syndrome. We then detail the therapeutic strategies (i.e. dietary regimens, physical exercise, nutraceuticals, and medications) employed to manage the disease. Finally, we analyse the safety profile of the drugs used in children and adolescents by performing a retrospective review of paediatric adverse reactions reported in the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System database.

Promoting public health through nutrition labeling - a study in Brazil

BACKGROUND

Food and nutrition education allows individuals to build knowledge and values, reframe their food practices, and develop strategies for a healthy diet. Food choices within the diet represent a determinant of individual health status. Regardless of the food quality, the consumption of calorie-dense foods does not promote better health conditions for the population and can worsen emerging health problems. The present study aimed to describe and analyze the effectiveness of educational activities related to nutrition information for enabling healthy food choices, as a tool to promote public health.

METHODS

To describe and analyze the effectiveness of an educational intervention regarding nutrition labeling as a tool to promote healthy food choices, 702 individuals were enrolled in the present quasi-experimental study. The Wilcoxon and McNemar tests were used to compare the pre- and post-intervention data, and a p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Of the 702 participants (mean age, 26.6 years), 17.4 % were male, and 82.6 % were female. The education level was high school for 53.2 % of the participants. The mean income was R$ 1969.54 (about 500 USD). In the pre-test, 55.8 % of the respondents reported consulting the nutrition information provided on packaged foods. At the post-test, 72.0 % of respondents reported consulting this information (p < 0.001; Table 1). However, the change in the response regarding the purchase of packaged products was borderline significant.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that the intervention was feasible and acceptable and improved knowledge regarding the role of nutrition labeling in promoting healthy eating. These results support the importance of an educational intervention to reinforce healthy food choices.

High-Normal Arterial Blood Pressure in Children With Excess Body Weight

Background

Childhood overweight and obesity are common causes of metabolic disorders that persist until adulthood.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of high-normal arterial blood pressure (ABP) in children with excess body weight.

Material and Methods

A total of 1,093 schoolchildren aged 10 - 12 years (51% girls and 49% boys) participated in the study. The children’s weight, height, body fat percentage (BFP), waist and hip circumference, and ABP were measured. The waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and body mass index (BMI) were calculated and compared to the normative reference values accepted by the International obesity task force (IOTF).

Results

Excess weight was identified in 20% of the participants, and obesity in 5%. A total of 35.5% of overweight children had above-normal ABP, which implied hypertension. In obese children, that proportion equaled 59.3%. BFP was 6.5% greater in children with hypertension than in those with normal BP. The children with hypertension also had a 7.6-cm larger waist circumference, a 7.6-cm larger hip circumference, and a greater WHtR (by 0.04).

Conclusions

Excess body weight was identified in 25% of children aged 10 - 12 years, significantly increasing their risk of developing hypertension.

Dietary factors associated with metabolic syndrome and its components in overweight and obese Brazilian schoolchildren: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The metabolic syndrome (MS) has been assessed since childhood mainly because of the nutritional and epidemiological transition that has occurred worldwide. Our objectives were to explore the MS and its components according to anthropometric and demographic factors and to assess the relationship among MS components and dietary characteristics in overweight and obese schoolchildren.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study which included 147 schoolchildren (aged 6-10 years) from three elementary schools, with body mass index (BMI) higher than the 85th percentile. Sexual maturation stages, anthropometric measures (weight, height, skinfold thickness and waist circumference), biochemical data (glucose, HDL-C and triacylglycerol), blood pressure and dietary intake were assessed. The metabolic syndrome was diagnosed if three or more of the following components were presented: waist circumference ≥90th age and sex-specific cut-off, blood pressure ≥90th age, sex and height-specific cut-off, glucose ≥100 mg/dL, HDL-C ≥ 40 mg/dL and triacylglycerols ≥ 110 mg/dL. The dietary intake was assessed by three non-consecutive 24-h recalls. The T test, Kruskal-Wallis and multiple linear regression analysis were applied to assess MS components and dietary intake.

RESULTS

The MS percentage was 10.2 % and it was higher in obese children and ones with high body fat percentage. The waist circumference was the main altered component of MS and 62 % of overweight schoolchildren showed at least one altered component of MS. The components of metabolic syndrome associated with dietary intake were triacylglycerol (positive association with saturated and monounsaturated fat, whole-milk products and processed foods and negative associated with legumes and polyunsaturated fat), glycemia (positive association with processed foods and negative with cereals), HDL-C (positive association with vegetables and greens) and waist circumference was negative associated with protein.

CONCLUSIONS

The frequency of MS was higher in obese than overweight schoolchildren and the frequency of at least one MS component was high in more than half of our subjects. The waist circumference was the most frequent among all other components. The triacylglycerol and glycemia were the most frequent MS components associated with dietary intake. Unprocessed food was considered a protective dietary factor for MS metabolic components and processed food with high percentage of sugar and saturated fat was a risk factor for MS metabolic components.