Correlation of Obesity and Overweight with Emotional-Behavioral Problems in Primary School Age Girls in Tabriz,Iran

Objective

Obesity and overweight have shown an increasing trend in most developing countries. Childhood obesity would impose numerous health-related problems. This study was conducted to determine the correlation of obesity and overweight with emotional-behavioral problems in primary school age girls.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study, 300 primary school girls (aged 7-11 years) were selected using a multi-staged sampling method, including randomized cluster and stratified method. For all students body mass index was measured and then based on BMI for age and sex, from each grade (1-5), 20 students were selected for each group of normal weight, overweight and obese. The emotional-behavioral problems were evaluated using child behavior checklist that consists of 113 items for childhood behavioral problems.

Findings

Total behavioral problems were seen in 17%, 27%, and 2% in obese, overweight, and normal weight children, respectively. Internalizing problems (including Anxious/Depressed, Withdrawn, and Somatic Complaints) were seen in 11%, 15%, and 2% and externalizing problems (including Aggressive and Delinquent Behaviors) were observed in 8%, 17%, and 2% in obese, overweight, and normal weight children, respectively. The mean scores in all scales were higher in obese and overweight children in comparison with normal weight children and the emotional-behavioral problems had significant positive correlation with obesity and overweight (P<0.01).

Conclusion

Despite the cultural differences between east and west, yet there are similarities in the most of the emotional-behavioral problems related to overweight and obesity. Also, it seems that the risk of behavioral-emotional problems in overweight girls is more than in obese girls. Overweight and Obesity prevention may be a primary preventive step for these problems in children.     

Obesity and thyrotropinemia

Objective  

To study the relation between body mass index (BMI) and TSH in euthyroid and subclinical hypothyroid obese children and compared serum TSH level among obese and overweight children.     

Three times as much physical education reduced the risk of children being overweight or obese after 5 years

Aim

We evaluated the effect that increasing physical education lessons from 1.5 to 4.5 hours per week for 5 years had on the body mass index (BMI) and waist circumferences of children aged 5-11 years at inclusion.

Methods

From 2008 to 2013, six intervention schools in Svendborg, Denmark, delivered 4.5 hours of physical education lessons per week to 750 children. Meanwhile, four matched control schools gave 549 children the standard 1.5 hours of physical education lessons per week. Measurements were taken at baseline and yearly for 5 years. Of the 1299 children, 81 joined the schools after 2008.

Results

At baseline, the percentage of overweight children was 12% in the intervention schools and 13% in the control schools, whereas 15% and 19% were abdominal obese, respectively. After 5 years, the respective risks of remaining abdominal obese or overweight were 43% and 51% in the intervention schools and 78% and 84% in the control schools. Mean BMI increased 0.450 kg/m² more in the control group over the five-year period. The intervention was not effective in decreasing the average waist circumference.

Conclusion

Three times as much physical education lessons per week, for 5 years, effectively decreased BMI and the likelihood of remaining overweight or obese.

     

Serum magnesium in overweight children

Objective  

To determine whether overweight children and adolescents have lower serum concentration and lower dietary intake of magnesium compared to those with normal weight; and to study the correlation of serum magnesium levels with components of metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents.     

Body mass index cut-offs for screening for childhood overweight and obesity in Indian children

Objective  

To develop age and sex specific cut-offs for BMI to screen for overweight and obesity in Indian children linked to an adult BMI of 23 and 28 kg/m² respectively, using contemporary Indian data.     

Clinical and biochemical parameters in relation to serum leptin levels in South Indian children and adolescents

Objective  

To investigate the relationship between serum leptin and lipid profile in South Indian School children and adolescents, and to evaluate the role of serum leptin in obese, overweight and congenital heart diseased children and adolescents; in South Indian population and its correlation with anthropometric and biochemical parameters.     

Energy and macronutrient intakes in preschool children in urban areas of Ho Chi Minh City,Vietnam

Background  

An increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity has been documented in preschool children in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam. However, little is known about what preschool children in HCMC eat or how well their nutrient intake meets nutrient recommendations. This study aims to describe the energy and macronutrient intake and compare these nutrient intakes with the recommendations for Vietnamese children aged four to five years.     

Prevalence of overweight in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorders: a chart review

Background  

The condition of obesity has become a significant public health problem in the United States. In children and adolescents, the prevalence of overweight has tripled in the last 20 years, with approximately 16.0% of children ages 6–19, and 10.3% of 2–5 year olds being considered overweight. Considerable research is underway to understand obesity in the general pediatric population, however little research is available on the prevalence of obesity in children with developmental disorders. The purpose of our study was to determine the prevalence of overweight among a clinical population of children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD).     

First nationwide survey of prevalence of weight disorders in Iranian children at school entry

Background  

For the first time, not only in Iran but also in the Eastern Mediterranean region, we report the prevalence of underweight and overweight among all children at school entry.     

Behavioral consequences of children with sleep-disordered breathing after adenotonsillectomy

Background

Adenotonsillectomy (AT) has been an effective treatment for sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in children, and several studies described the risk of postoperative weight gain and obesity in children treated with AT. The present study aimed to evaluate behavioral improvements in children with SDB one year after adenotonsillectomy and to investigate an influence of postoperative weight gain on behaviors.

Methods

The study included 170 children aged 5–11 years who underwent adenotonsillectomy for SDB and 150 controls. Body mass index percentile was obtained for age and gender, and parental sleep-related breathing disorder (SRBD) questionnaire was used to assess the severity of SDB. Psychological assessment was performed pre- and post-adenotonsillectomy using standardized questionnaires including strength and difficulties questionnaire, children’s depression inventory and screen for child anxiety-related emotional disorder.

Results

The mean age of 170 patients was 7.7 ± 1.5 years with 73 (42.9%) girls and 97 (57.1%) boys. The mean follow-up period were 15.4 ± 2.7 months. The patients had shown significant improvements in SDB scores as well as in questionnaire-based behavioral problems after adenotonsillectomy. The odds of a child being overweight were significantly increased after adenotonsillectomy. Less improvements in hyperactivity and conduct problems were observed in the patients with older ages, higher SRBD scores, and overweight/obesity at 1-year follow-up after adenotonsillectomy.

Conclusion

These data suggest that abnormal behavioral outcomes should be evaluated postoperatively, which potentially could be reduced with the early adenotonsillectomy and adequate postoperative weight control.

     

Obesity prevalence estimates in a Canadian regional population of preschool children using variant growth references

Background  

Childhood obesity is a public health problem in Canada. Accurate measurement of a health problem is crucial in defining its burden. The objective of this study is to compare the prevalence estimates of overweight and obesity in preschool children using three growth references.     

Hohe Persistenz von Übergewicht bei Kindern der Mannheimer Risikokinderstudie

Background

The number of overweight or obese children and adolescents is increasing constantly. Apart from a growing prevalence, the persistence of obesity is a particular cause for concern. While the persistence of obesity has been the subject of intensive investigation, few studies have been devoted to the persistence of overweight.

Methods

Data recorded for 327 children taking part in the ?Mannheim Study of Risk Children“ were analysed with reference to prevalence, incidence and persistence of overweight. The longitudinal design of the study made it possible to record the subjects’ weight development over 13 years.

Results

Our investigations show a high persistence of overweight, especially from the age of 8 years onward. The incidence of overweight remains constant at all test times and shows only a slight increase from the age of 8 years.

Conclusions

Because of the high stability of overweight from junior school age onward, preventive programmes should start no later than when children are first enrolled in school.     

Physical activity and body mass index of school children and adolescents in Abeokuta,Southwest Nigeria

Background  

Physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyles are known to predispose to overweight and obesity. These lifestyles are also known to track from childhood into adulthood with consequent cardiovascular and metabolic problems. This study aimed to describe the frequency of physical activity and the relationship between physical activity and body mass index of urban Nigerian school children and adolescents.     

A prospective study of homocysteine and its relation to body mass index and lipid profile in school children

Objective

To study the serum Homocysteine levels in children and its relation with body mass index (BMI), lipid profile and plasma glucose.

Methods

138 children (age 5–15 y) were enrolled and categorized into normal, overweight and obese group. Blood homocysteine, lipid profile and plasma glucose were estimated.

Results

Out of 138 children, 46 (33%) were normal, 40 (29%) were overweight and 52 (38%) were obese. Hyper-homocysteinemia was found in 34 (24.6%) of children. None of the normal children had hyperhomocysteinemia in contrast to 15 (37.5%) in overweight and 19 (36.5%) in obese group (P=0.001).The median homocysteine levels in obese and overweight children was significantly higher compared to normal children (P=0.001).There was a positive correlation between BMI and homocysteine levels. There was no significant correlation between lipid profile and plasma glucose with homocysteine levels.

Conclusions

Serum homocysteine levels are significantly higher in both overweight and obese children compared to normal children.

     

Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity among Iranian School Children in Different Ethnicities

Objective

Malnutrition, overweight and obesity are major health concerns in modern societies and especially among children. Overweight and obesity affect children''s current and future health. It is known that the prevalence of overweight differs by race, sex, and geographic location.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study 30092 Iranian children aged 7-18 years in six ethnic groups were selected by a cluster sampling. Prevalence of obesity and overweight and distribution of body mass index (BMI) by gender, age, and ethnicity were measured. Cutoff points of BMI for defining obesity and overweight were based on the Iranian, and IOTF standard values.

Findings

This study showed a significant ethnic difference in BMI. Prevalence of overweight and obesity among Iranian children was 9.27% and 3.22% respectively comparing international standards. The frequency of overweight and obesity was higher in boys.

Conclusion

This study showed a significant difference in BMI among different ethnic groups.     

Improving the outcome of infants born at <30 weeks' gestation - a randomized controlled trial of preventative care at home

Background  

Early developmental interventions to prevent the high rate of neurodevelopmental problems in very preterm children, including cognitive, motor and behavioral impairments, are urgently needed. These interventions should be multi-faceted and include modules for caregivers given their high rates of mental health problems.     

Adipositaspr?vention in Grundschulen

Background

One in five German children is overweight. The age between 6 and 10?years is a critical phase for the development of overweight and obesity.

Patients and methods

The efficacy of a primary school-based program was evaluated in 445 children. All children were examined at the beginning of the school year (t₀). Body weight, height, and waist/hip circumference were measured, and the children were divided into an intervention and a control group. Reevaluation followed after 1 (t₁) and 2?years (t₂).

Results

Of all children (N_G1=445) initially 14.4% were found to be overweight. Comparing t₂ vs t₀, the number of overweight children decreased in the intervention group (N_k3=176) from16.5 to 11.9% (p<0.05), whereas in the control group (N_K3=150) the number increased from 12.0 to 16.7% (p<0.05).

Conclusion

A school-based prevention program is effective in decreasing the risk of obesity in primary schoolchildren for at least 2?years.     

Utility of waist-to-height ratio in assessing the status of central obesity and related cardiometabolic risk profile among normal weight and overweight/obese children: The Bogalusa Heart Study

Background  

Body Mass Index (BMI) is widely used to assess the impact of obesity on cardiometabolic risk in children but it does not always relate to central obesity and varies with growth and maturation. Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR) is a relatively constant anthropometric index of abdominal obesity across different age, sex or racial groups. However, information is scant on the utility of WHtR in assessing the status of abdominal obesity and related cardiometabolic risk profile among normal weight and overweight/obese children, categorized according to the accepted BMI threshold values.     

Overweight in children and its perception by parents: cross-sectional observation in a general pediatric outpatient clinic

Background

Childhood overweight is a growing problem in industrialized countries. Parents play a major role in the development and the treatment of overweight in their children. A key factor here is the perception of their child’s weight status. As we know of other studies, parental perception of children’s weight status is very poor. This study aimed to determine factors associated with childhood overweight and parental misperception of weight status. The height and weight of children, as reported by parents were compared with measured data.

Methods

The study was conducted at a general pediatric outpatient clinic in Vienna, Austria. A total of 600 children (aged 0–14 years) participated in the study. Collection of data was performed by means of a questionnaire comprising items relating to parental weight and social demographics. The parents were also asked to indicate their children’s weight and height, as well as the estimated weight status. Children were weighed and measured and BMI was calculated, allowing a comparison of estimated values and weight categories with the measured data.

Results

Parental BMI, parental weight and a higher birth weight were identified as factors associated with childhood overweight. No association with the parents’ educational status or citizenship could be proven. We compared parents’ estimations of weight and height of their children with measured data. Here we found, that parental estimated values often differ from measured data. Using only parental estimated data to define weight status leads to misclassifications. It could be seen that parents of overweight children tend to underestimate the weight status of their children, compared to parents of children with normal weight.

Conclusions

Pediatricians should bear in mind that parental assessment often differs from the measured weight of their children. Hence children should be weighed and measured regularly to prevent them from becoming overweight. This is of particular importance in children with higher birth weight and children of overweight parents.

Trial registration

Study was not registered. The study was approved by the Ethic committee of the city of Vienna. (EK 13–146-VK).