Breast-feeding and overweight in Singapore school children

Background:  Studies from developed Western countries have shown inconsistent associations between breast-feeding and overweight/obesity in children and adolescents. Few data are available from Asian populations. The purpose of the present study was therefore to evaluate the association between breast-feeding and overweight/obesity in a study of 10–12-year-old children in Singapore.
Methods:  A total of 797 school children (49% girls, 76% Chinese) who participated in the Singapore Cohort Study of the Risk Factors for Myopia (SCORM) were examined. Overweight/obesity ( n  = 179) was defined as age–sex-specific body mass index (BMI) cut-offs corresponding to BMI of 25 kg/m² for overweight and 30 kg/m² for obesity at age 18 based on the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) reference.
Results:  The prevalence of overweight/obesity was 22.5%. Overall, breast-feeding was not found to be associated with overweight/obesity. After adjusting for potential confounders, the multivariable odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of overweight/obesity was 1.14 (0.80–1.63) for ever breast-fed compared with never breast-fed, 1.00 (0.57–1.72) for breast-fed for >3 months compared to ≤3 months and 0.79 (0.47–1.34) for exclusive/mostly breast-fed compared to partly breast-fed.
Conclusions:  No significant associations were detected among breast-feeding, its type, and duration with overweight/obesity in this Asian cohort of 10–12-year-old children.     

Are C‐reactive protein and homocysteine cardiovascular risk factors in obese children and adolescents?

Background: Several prospective epidemiological studies have demonstrated that high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and plasma homocysteine (hcy) are predictors of future coronary events among healthy men and women. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate a possible relationship between hsCRP, hcy levels and body mass index (BMI), relative weight (RW), serum leptin levels, and cardiovascular risk factors in obese children and adolescents.
Methods: The study involved 28 obese children and adolescents (13 girls, 15 boys; BMI>95‰ for age and sex), 4.5–15 years of age (mean 10.7 ± 0.6 years), who attended hospital for a basic obesity check-up. The association between hsCRP, hcy levels and BMI, RW, serum leptin levels, and cardiovascular risk factors such as blood pressure (BP), lipid profile, serum fasting insulin levels, and insulin resistance indexes, was investigated.
Results: Serum hsCRP level was positively correlated with BMI ( r = 0.512, P  < 0.01), RW ( r = 0.438, P  < 0.05), systolic and diastolic BP ( r = 0.498, P  < 0.01), serum leptin levels ( r = 0.457, P  < 0.05), but not with serum lipid, glucose, fasting insulin, plasma hcy levels or insulin resistance indexes. For hcy level, in contrast, no correlation was found with BMI, RW, systolic and diastolic BP, serum lipid levels, leptin, hsCRP, glucose, fasting insulin levels, or insulin resistance indexes.
Conclusions: hsCRP is correlated with BMI, RW, BP and leptin, which are risk factors for coronary heart disease, which supports the relationship between obesity, inflammation and atherosclerosis. hsCRP in childhood obesity might be a useful index to predict possible atherosclerotic events.     

Body mass index in Belgian schoolchildren and its relationship with sensitization and allergic symptoms

Results of studies of the influence of body mass index (BMI) on the allergic status are controversial. As a part of the Aalst Allergy Study, we assessed the prevalence of the different BMI categories (underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity) and a possible association between BMI and atopy in 1576 unselected Belgian schoolchildren, aged from 3.4 to 14.8 yr. BMI was used to determine weight status. Skin prick testing with the most common aeroallergens was performed. A parental questionnaire documented data on respiratory and allergic disorders, demographic characteristics and other potential risk factors for sensitization. Among the total children, 4.1% of the children were underweight, 14.5% were overweight, and 7.4% were obese. More girls than boys were overweight (p = 0.015). In the group of children older than 12 yr, we found more overweight (p = 0.03) and obese (p = 0.004) girls, and more obese boys (p = 0.004) than in the younger age groups. In contrast with reports in the literature, an increased prevalence of allergic sensitization in underweight girls only [adjusted odd ratio (OR_adj) = 2.9, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.3–6.4] was documented. A strong association between obesity and exercise-induced respiratory symptoms was found in both boys (OR_adj = 14.5, 95% CI: 2.9–73.3) and girls (OR_adj = 4.9, 95% CI: 1.3–17.4). No correlations with allergic respiratory symptoms, eczema, or rhinoconjunctivitis could be documented.     

Is the prevalence of overweight and obesity declining among 4‐year‐old Swedish children?

Aim:  To investigate the trend in overweight and obesity prevalence among 4-year-old Swedish children.
Methods:  Height and weight data registered at the regular health check up at the child health centres in the county of Västerbotten during the years 2007/2008 (2225 boys and 2156 girls) were analysed and compared with data from 2002/2003 (2231 boys and 2176 girls). Overweight and obesity were estimated using the International Obesity Task Force cut-off values (ISO BMI).
Results:  In both boys and girls, overweight prevalence (ISO BMI > 25) decreased over the 5-year period, boys from 17.2% to 14.2% and girls from 22.3% to 19.0%. Among girls, there was also a decrease in obesity prevalence (ISO BMI > 30) from 5.7% to 3.1%.
Conclusion:  The result of this study indicates that the overweight and obesity epidemic among Swedish pre-school children may be levelling off.     

Overweight/obesity and factors associated with body mass index during adolescence: the VYRONAS study

Aim: To describe overweight and obese adolescents and to determine any correlations between an adolescent's body mass index (BMI) with personal (age, gender), lifestyle (sedentary/sport activities, smoking status) and parental (smoking status, BMI, number of cars) characteristics.
Methods: Cross-sectional data on weight, height and various characteristics from 2008 Greek adolescents (12- to 17-year olds, 50.85% boys), measured in 2005–2007, were used.
Results: Almost 1 in 5 (19.2%) boys and 1 in 7 (13.2%) girls 12–17 years of age were overweight while 4.4% of the boys and 1.7% of the girls were obese. The adolescents' age, mother's smoking status, father's and mother's BMI predicted boys' and girls' BMI (b = 0.551, 0.203, 0.110, 0.495 for boys, b = 0.233, 0.187, 0.180, 0.531 for girls, respectively, p ≤ 0.05). Univariate analysis revealed that television watching/using personal computer/playing video games and playtime were not correlated with BMI, while an inverse association of exercising for ≥ 5 h/week and BMI was found in both boys and girls (b =−1.098, −0.528, p = 0.005, 0.004 respectively).
Conclusion: The results of our study underline the high prevalence of obesity during adolescence in Greece. Age and parental unhealthy behaviour (increased BMI and maternal smoking status) were positive predictors of increased BMI of adolescents in both genders.     

Validity of BMI based on self-reported weight and height in adolescents

Aim:  To assess in a subset of a nationally representative sample of Portuguese adolescents, the validity of Body Mass Index (BMI) based on self-reported weight and height.
Methods:  This study included 462 students in grades 6, 8 and 10 (mean age 14.0 ± 1.9 years) from 12 public schools randomly selected from the list of schools which took part in the 2006 Health Behaviour in School Aged Children Portuguese survey, corresponding to approximately 10% of the sample. Self-reported weight and height were recorded and then measured.
Results:  Prevalence of normal weight, overweight and obesity based on self-report compared with that of measured values was not significantly different for boys and girls, and among age groups. BMI based on measured weight and height was underestimated compared with BMI based on self-reported data, both among girls and boys. Larger limits of agreement were found for boys, indicating a higher variability of self-reported BMI in estimating measured BMI, specifically below the age of 14 years.
Conclusion:  These data suggest that BMI based on self-reported weight and height is not accurate for BMI prediction at an individual level. However, self-reported BMI may be used as a simple and valid tool for BMI estimates of overweight and obesity in epidemiological studies.     

Effects of bodyweight on health-related quality of life in school-aged children and adolescents

Background: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of bodyweight on health-related quality of life (QOL) in children.
Methods: A questionnaire to assess health-related QOL was developed and completed by 242 primary school children and 180 junior high school students in Morioka, Japan. Subjects were classified by obesity index into three groups as follows: underweight, ≤−20% obesity index ( n  = 13); normal weight, between +20% and −20% ( n  = 354); and overweight, ≥+20% ( n  = 55). The overall QOL score and the score of each domain were compared among the three groups and in each gender.
Results: Overall QOL scores did not differ significantly among the three groups. The scores for the domain of 'strength, diligence and self-esteem' in the underweight and overweight groups were significantly lower than those for the normal-weight group overall and for girls ( P  < 0.01). Scores for the 'school' domain in the underweight group were significantly lower than those for the overweight group overall and for boys ( P  < 0.05).
Conclusions: Children, except those of normal bodyweight, have low scores in some domains of health-related QOL, suggesting the importance of considering the effects of bodyweight on QOL in programs aimed at further understanding under- or overweight children and adolescents.     

Association between peer relationship problems and childhood overweight/obesity

Aims:  To assess the association between peer relationship problems and childhood overweight and obesity.
Methods:  Data on 4718 preschool children were obtained at the obligatory school entry health examination in Bavaria. Parentally reported peer relationship problems ('normal', 'borderline' or 'abnormal') were assessed from the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Overweight and obesity were defined according to age- and gender-specific BMI cut-off points. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to control potential confounders.
Results:  The prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher among children with 'borderline' or 'abnormal' peer relationship problems compared to 'normal' children. The association of 'abnormal' peer relationship problems was still significant in the final logistic regression model for girls [odds ratio (OR) for overweight 2.0; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.4–3.0; OR for obesity 2.6; 95% CI: 1.3–5.0]. Among boys the adjusted odds ratio were lower and no longer significant.
Conclusion:  The significantly increased prevalence of overweight and obesity among preschool children with peer relationship problems could not be explained by confounding. It seems evident that there is a relevant co-morbidity of peer relationship problems and obesity in pre-school children pointing to the need of interventions focusing on both physical as well as psychosocial health.     

乌鲁木齐市家长喂养行为现状及其与儿童体重指数的相关性

目的 探讨家长喂养行为与儿童体重指数（BMI）间的相关性,为预防和干预儿童超重、肥胖提供科学依据。方法 采用分层随机整群抽样的方法,抽取乌鲁木齐市新市区7所幼儿园976名儿童,通过问卷调查和体格测量获得相关数据。结果 共发放调查问卷976份,收回有效问卷924份（94.7%）。儿童体重不足、超重、肥胖总检出率分别为3.1%（29例）、9.2%（85例）、6.7%（62例）。家长喂养行为以监督饮食水平最高,其次为限制饮食,逼迫进食水平最低。其中汉族儿童家长采用限制饮食及逼迫进食的水平高于维吾尔族儿童家长（P < 0.01）。家长喂养行为中,限制饮食与汉族及维吾尔族男童BMI均呈正相关（P < 0.01）;逼迫进食与汉族男童及女童BMI均呈负相关（P < 0.01）,与维吾尔族男童及女童BMI均呈正相关（P < 0.01）;监督饮食与维吾尔族和汉族男童及女童BMI均呈负相关（P < 0.05）。汉族及维吾尔族男童中超重/肥胖儿童其父母限制饮食得分高于正常体重儿童家长（P < 0.05）;维吾尔族男童及女童中,超重/肥胖儿童其父母逼迫进食得分高于正常体重儿童其家长（P < 0.01）;汉族、维吾尔族男童及女童中超重及肥胖儿童其父母监督饮食得分低于正常体重儿童家长（P < 0.01）。结论 乌鲁木齐市家长喂养行为状况总体较好,其中维吾尔族儿童家长喂养行为略优于汉族儿童家长。家长喂养行为与儿童BMI密切相关,其相关性在不同民族及性别间存在差异。高水平的监督饮食及低水平的限制饮食、逼迫进食可能有利于预防和控制儿童超重、肥胖的发生与发展。     

A study of growth parameters and prevalence of overweight and obesity in school children from delhi

OBJECTIVE: (1) To assess the height, weight and body mass index (BMI) of school children from Delhi and generate percentile charts as appropriate for age, gender and socio-economic status. (2) To determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in school children from low and upper socioeconomic status (LSES and USES respectively). DESIGN: Cross sectional evaluation of anthropometric parameters in Delhi school children (5-18 years) from different geographical zones. SETTING: Government schools (non-fee paying) and Private Schools (fee paying) in Delhi. SUBJECTS: 21485 children, 8840 (3566 boys, 5274 girls) from government schools and 12645 (6197 boys, 6448 girls) from private schools. Methods: Subjects underwent assessment of height and weight and calculation of BMI. Children were classified as normal, overweight and obese as per IOTF guidelines. Height, weight and BMI percentile charts specific for the socioeconomic status were generated using the LMS method. Prevalence of overweight and obesity was assessed and compared between the two socio-economic groups. RESULTS: A significant difference was noted in height, weight and BMI between LSES and USES. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in USES children was 16.75 % and 5.59 % in boys and 19.01 % and 5.03 % in girls respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant disparity in anthropometric parameters between children from USES and LSES, with a high prevalence of overweight and obesity in USES children.     

Overweight, obesity, weight-related concerns and behaviours in Hong Kong Chinese children and adolescents

Aim: To study the prevalence of overweight and obesity, and weight-related concerns and behaviours among overweight, obese and non-overweight children and adolescents. Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional survey of all Chinese students in primary schools in the Central and Western District of Hong Kong in March 2002. Thirty-one of 32 schools participated, and 5402 boys and 5371 girls aged 8 to 15 y who completed a standardized questionnaire were included. We used the International Obesity Task Force definition (IOTF reference) to define overweight and obesity. Results: The prevalence (95% CI) of overweight was 16.4% (15.7-17.1%) (19.9% in boys, 12.9% in girls), and that of obesity was 7.7% (7.2-8.2%) (10.3% in boys and 5.1% in girls). The combined prevalence of overweight and obesity was similar to that based on the local reference. Overweight children had more concerns about their weight than obese children. They were more likely than obese children to feel fat, wish to be lighter, diet and exercise to lose weight. Although obese children were heavier, they did not make more effort to lose weight than overweight children.

Conclusions: The differences in weight-related concerns and behaviours among overweight, obese and non-overweight children suggested good validity of the IOTF reference and the self-reported data. The differences between overweight and obese children suggested that the two groups had different psychological states and that they needed different weight management programmes and other intervention strategies.     

血清谷丙转氨酶与儿童超重、肥胖的关系

目的：探讨血清谷丙转氨酶（ALT）与儿童超重、肥胖的关系。方法：对年龄7～18岁的2889例正常儿童及702例超重、肥胖儿童的资料进行分析,测量身高、体重、腰围、血压,检测空腹血糖、血脂、ALT、胰岛素等生化指标,计算胰岛素抵抗指数。结果：男童ALT水平高于女童。随着体重指数（BMI）的增加,男女童正常组、超重组、肥胖组ALT水平均逐渐增加。ALT与BMI、腰围、甘油三酯、胰岛素抵抗指数等相关。在超重、肥胖儿童中,男童ALT升高组BMI、腰围、血压、甘油三酯、低密度脂蛋白、胰岛素抵抗指数均较ALT正常组高（P<0.05）;女童ALT升高组腰围、血压、胰岛素抵抗指数高于ALT正常组,而高密度脂蛋白降低（P<0.05）。结论：ALT与儿童超重、肥胖及其引起代谢异常如血脂异常、胰岛素抵抗相关。     

Association of physical fitness and body mass index in youth

AIM: The aim of this study was to establish physical fitness (PF) levels in a school population of 11-18-year-old students and analyse differences according to body mass index (BMI) status in overweight METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study. The sample comprises 636 children and adolescents (mean age of 14.5+/-1.5 years), 288 boys (45.3%) and girls 347 (54.7%). Six tests from Fitness-gram battery were used as an objective measure of physical fitness. Overweight/ Obesity status was determined using age and sex adjusted cut-off points. RESULTS: Both girls and boys with obesity performed a significantly reduced number of tests in healthy fitness zone suggesting a decrease of performances in strength and cardiovascular fitness, from normal weight status to overweight and from overweight to obesity. Boys and girls with obesity are likely to be Under HFZ than normal weight. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that obese and overweight children have low PF level compared to normal weight peers. A large number of children with normal weight were identified as well as unfit. These data also showed that a low BMI level would significantly improve some PF component.     

Macronutrient intake, physical activity, serum lipids and increased body weight in primary schoolchildren in Istanbul

BACKGROUND: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to record the prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity in primary school children living in Istanbul and to examine the relationship between increased body weight and certain cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. METHODS: A total of 510 randomly selected children aged 12 and 13 years of age (257 boys, 253 girls) were examined. Information regarding anthropometrical indices, energy and macronutrient intake, physical activity, physical fitness and lipid profile were collected. Classification of children in overweight and obese subgroups was based on the cut-off points proposed by Cole et al. RESULTS: The prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity was found to be 15.3%, 10.6% and 1.6%, respectively. Both overweight boys and girls were found to have lower physical fitness compared to their normal-weight counterparts, but no difference was observed for energy and macronutrient intake. Overweight boys were found to have higher total cholesterol (P < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.01), triglycerides (P < 0.01) and total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio (P < 0.05) compared to their normal-weight counterparts, while overweight girls were found to have lower HDL-C (P < 0.05) compared to their normal-weight peers. CONCLUSIONS: Underweight and overweight coexisted in the current population. Increased body weight was accompanied by unfavorable lipid profiles and lower fitness levels. Consequently, there is an emergent need for early identification and understanding of behavioral and physiological variables related to obesity and CVD, so that appropriate interventions can be targeted to children who are at risk for adult onset of these diseases.     

Sex disparity and perception of obesity/overweight by parents and grandparents

OBJECTIVE:

To explore the factors associated with the sex disparity showing a greater prevalence of obesity/overweight in boys compared with girls in Chinese school children.

METHODS:

Sampled students and their parents were asked to complete a questionnaire. Perceptions of weight status by the parents, grandparents and children themselves were collected. A logistic regression analysis was used.

RESULTS:

The sampled students included 327 obese/overweight students and 1078 students with normal body mass index (BMI). The crude OR of obesity/overweight for boys compared with girls was 1.57 (95% CI 1.22 to 2.01). The increased risk of childhood obesity/overweight for boys remained after adjustment for prenatal and infant factors, daily habits and family situation, but disappeared after adjustment for perception of weight status (OR 1.27 [95% CI 0.93 to 1.67]). There were differences in underestimation of children’s weight status between boys and girls by their parents and grandparents (OR 1.33 [95% CI 1.08 to 1.64] and OR 1.42 [95% CI 1.15 to 1.75], respectively).

CONCLUSIONS:

Misconceptions about a child’s weight status were prevalent among parents and grandparents, and boys’ weight status was more frequently underestimated than girls. The disparity of underestimating weight according to sex may partially contribute to the difference in the prevalence of obesity/overweight between boys and girls among Chinese school children.     

Activity,inactivity and quality of life among Lebanese adolescents

Background: The aim of the present study was to investigate recent overweight and obesity prevalence rates for Lebanese adolescents, and to examine differences in physical activity, screen time (sum of time spent in front of TV, computer, and videogames), and health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) for the first time among normal, overweight, and obese adolescents. Methods: One thousand Lebanese adolescents (14–18 years old) from nine schools participated in the study. Height, weight, physical activity, screen time, and HRQOL variables were assessed using validated self‐report questionnaires. Results: A total of 7.8% of boys and 1.75% of girls were obese, and 22.5% of boys and 12.47% of girls were overweight. Normal‐weight boys reported higher physical activity scores at health clubs than obese boys. Normal‐weight girls reported higher leisure time and total physical activity scores than obese girls. In the normal‐weight group, boys reported higher total screen time than girls. Normal‐weight boys reported higher physical functioning scores than their obese peers. Normal‐weight girls reported higher physical functioning and average HRQOL scores than obese girls. Normal‐weight and overweight boys reported higher average HRQOL scores than girls. Conclusion: The present study is the first to provide data on physical activity, screen time, and HRQOL among Lebanese adolescents. Despite the need for further research, all those concerned with the pediatric population are urged to develop and implement effective strategies to increase physical activity and improve HRQOL among adolescents based on the present findings.     

Prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents in a county in Sweden

Overweight among young people in Sweden is increasing. The aim of the present study was to investigate the frequency of overweight and obesity based on body mass index (BMI) values among children and adolescents. Overweight was defined as a BMI value > or = 91st percentile and obesity as a BMI value > 98th percentile on an international reference BMI curve. The study population included boys and girls from four age groups: 9, 12, 15 and 18 y. The data consisted of self-reported measures of height and weight that were obtained from questionnaires used in a cross-sectional study in December 1997. A validation study was performed using a part of the study population. A total of 7011 (81.7%) participants completed the questionnaire. The correlation between self-reported estimations and objective measures of height and weight was high in the oldest age groups (0.88-0.98), but lower in the 9-y-old age groups (0.37-0.72). These self-reported estimations in the 9-y-olds were excluded from further analysis. It was found that 12.3%, 11.6% and 11.4% of the boys in the 12-, 15- and 18-y-old age groups and 6.8%, 5.5% and 4.8% of the girls in the same age groups were overweight and 7.9%, 8.9% and 7.3% of the boys and 5.1%, 4.2% and 3.9% of the girls were obese. Conclusion: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was found to be high in the study population and is a serious public health problem. The prevalence of obesity was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in 15-y-old boys living in rural areas than in city and town dwellers of the same age.     

Television, computer use, physical activity, diet and fatness in Australian adolescents.

PURPOSE: To examine sedentary behaviours (including television viewing, playing computer games and computer use), diet, exercise and fitness in relation to overweight/obesity in Australian adolescents. METHODS: Questionnaires elicited food frequency data, time spent in TV-viewing, using computers, other sedentary occupations and physical activity recall. Weight, height and fitness (laps completed in the Leger test) were measured. RESULTS: Among 281 boys and 321 girls, mean age 12 years (SD 0.9), 56 boys (20.0%) and 70 girls (23.3%) were overweight/obese. Greater fitness was associated with decreased risk of overweight/obesity in boys (Odds ratio [OR] 0.74; 95% CI 0.55, 0.99) and girls (OR 0.93; 95% CI 0.91, 0.99). TV-viewing predicted increased risk in boys (OR 1.04; 95% CI 1.01, 1.06) and decreased risk in girls (OR 0.99; 95% CI 0.96, 0.99). Computer use, video games, and other sedentary behaviours were not significantly related to risk of overweight/obesity. Vegetable intake was associated with lower risk in boys (OR 0.98; 95% CI 0.97, 0.99); greater risk was associated with lower fat intake in boys and girls, lower consumption of energy-dense snacks in boys (OR 0.74; 95% CI 0.62, 0.88) and greater intake of vegetables in girls (OR 1.02; 95% CI 1.00, 1.03), suggesting dieting or knowledge of favourable dietary choices in overweight/obese children. CONCLUSIONS: Among these adolescents, fitness was negatively related to risk for overweight/obesity in boys and girls. TV-viewing was a positive predictor in boys and a negative predictor in girls but the effect size was small; other sedentary behaviours did not predict risk.     

The role of 1-h physical activity every day in preventing obesity in adolescents in Shandong, China

Several studies have reported that physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyle are associated with being overweight and obese in children and adults. A new policy of 1-h physical activity (PA) every day was released by the Chinese government. The present study examined the role of 1-h PA every day in preventing obesity in adolescents in Shandong, China. A total of 29,030 students (14,578 boys and 14,452 girls) aged 10–18 years participated in this study. Height, weight, waist circumference (WC), and skinfold thickness (SFT) of all subjects were measured; body mass index (BMI) of adolescents was calculated from their height and weight, and the prevalence of overweight and obesity was obtained according to the International Obesity Task Force cutoffs. All subjects were divided into two groups. Group 1 had a PA of more than 1 h/day while group 2 had less than 1 h/day. Comparisons of BMI, WC, SFT, and prevalences of overweight and obesity between the two groups were made. The overall percentages of students in group 1 were 34.29 % in boys and 30.15 % in girls. The prevalences of overweight and obesity for both boys and girls were all significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2 in all age categories. In conclusion, 1-h PA every day has a beneficial effect in preventing obesity in adolescents in Shandong, China. These observations highlight the importance of PA in the prevention of overweight and obesity in adolescents.     

Metabolic profiles of fat and glucose differ by gender in healthy 8-year-olds

Objective:  The aim was to investigate if metabolic markers were associated with anthropometry and weight increase in healthy 8-year-olds.
Methods:  Ninety-seven healthy children, 66 of whom had been examined at the age of 4 years, were investigated. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry was performed to determine fat (FM) and lean body mass (LBM). Plasma glucose and serum levels of insulin, cholesterol, triglycerides, adiponectin and leptin were analysed and HOMA-indices were calculated.
Results:  Despite similar anthropometry, metabolic markers differed by gender. Sixteen % of the children were overweight or obese. Body mass index (BMI) was strongly correlated to FM. Anthropometric measures except LBM correlated to metabolic markers in the girls. Boys had higher concentrations of plasma glucose than girls. In overweight children, insulin was negatively associated with LBM. Leptin and the ratio between leptin and adiponectin, but not adiponectin, were significantly associated with HOMA-IR and body composition.
Conclusion:  The metabolic profile of plasma glucose, serum leptin, fasting insulin and related HOMA indices differed by gender, despite no difference in BMI or FM. LBM, but not FM correlated to the insulin concentration in the overweight children. Leptin was the best marker of overweight.