Project description:PurposeThis research work investigates the influence of children's weight status on well-being and school context in a sample of Spanish adolescences.MethodsThe Spanish records from the 2013-14 Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children Survey are used, which gathers 9,565 adolescences aged 11, 13 and 15. Studies do not usually address the endogeneity of body mass index when analysing their effect on life satisfaction and health complaints, thus resulting in biased estimates. Considering the endogeneity of body mass index, we use the frequency of alcohol consumption as an instrumental variable in order to obtain consistent estimates of its influence.ResultsThe two-stage least squares estimation shows that children's body mass index has a significant negative influence on health complaints and it conditions the way children relate to each other at school. Likewise, results report significant influence on children's subjective well-being and their self-assessment of general health.ConclusionsThe results of this study provide compelling evidence that BMI plays a crucial role in shaping adolescents' well-being and their interactions with peers at school. These findings underscore the importance of addressing childhood overweight and promoting healthy body mass index levels. Furthermore, the study highlights the need for targeted policy interventions to combat the social stigma associated with being overweight, fostering a more inclusive and supportive school environment for all students.
Project description:IntroductionPhysical literacy (PL) emerges as a highly effective resource for creating lasting physical activity habits at a time when physical inactivity has become one of the main risk factors in our population. Thus, active breaks (AB) could be an ideal option for increasing physical activity time in schoolchildren.MethodsA cross-sectional quasi-experimental study was conducted, involving 89 participants aged 8-12 years from Extremadura. The Canadian assessment of physical literacy (CAPL-2) was administered to assess the participants' physical literacy level. The BMI was also measured.ResultsHigher scores were obtained in all domains and subdomains of the CAPL in the experimental group. Significant differences were found both in total physical literacy score (p < 0.001) and in all domains and subdomains, except for the subdomains self-reported question, intrinsic motivation and knowledge and understanding domain (p = 0.344).ConclusionThe results of the study support the positive effects of an AB program of PL and its domains. The development of active break programs could help to increase the PL level of schoolchildren.
Project description:Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are more likely than non-Indigenous Australians to be obese and experience chronic disease in adulthood--conditions linked to being overweight in childhood. Birthweight and prenatal exposures are associated with increased Body Mass Index (BMI) in other populations, but the relationship is unclear for Indigenous children. The Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children is an ongoing cohort study of up to 1,759 children across Australia. We used a multilevel model to examine the association between children's birthweight and BMI z-score in 2011, at age 3-9 years, adjusted for sociodemographic and maternal factors. Complete data were available for 682 of the 1,264 children participating in the 2011 survey; we repeated the analyses in the full sample with BMI recorded (n=1,152) after multilevel multiple imputation. One in ten children were born large for gestational age, and 17% were born small for gestational age. Increasing birthweight predicted increasing BMI; a 1-unit increase in birthweight z-score was associated with a 0.22-unit (95% CI:0.13, 0.31) increase in childhood BMI z-score. Maternal smoking during pregnancy was associated with a significant increase (0.25; 95% CI:0.05, 0.45) in BMI z-score. The multiple imputation analysis indicated that our findings were not distorted by biases in the missing data. High birthweight may be a risk indicator for overweight and obesity among Indigenous children. National targets to reduce the incidence of low birthweight which measure progress by an increase in the population's average birthweight may be ignoring a significant health risk; both ends of the spectrum must be considered. Interventions to improve maternal health during pregnancy are the first step to decreasing the prevalence of high BMI among the next generation of Indigenous children.
Project description:BackgroundFactors contributing to the accurate measurement of self-reported physical activity are not well understood in middle-aged adults. We investigated the associations between two self-reported surveys and objectively measured physical activity in middle-aged adults, and the influence of individual and sociodemographic factors on these associations, at different intensities utilizing an observational study design.MethodsParticipants (n = 156) wore a SenseWear Armband™ (SWA) for a continuous seven-day period over the triceps of the left arm, to measure energy expenditure in metabolic equivalents. Participants also completed the Physical Activity Recall questionnaire (PAR) and Active Australia Survey (AAS). Associations were analyzed separately in general linear models for each intensity. The influence of individual and sociodemographic factors was assessed through moderator analyses.ResultsThe PAR and SWA were significantly positively associated at moderate (β = 0.68, 95% CI 0.16-1.20), vigorous (β = 0.36, 95% CI 0.20-0.53), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (β = 0.52, 95% CI 0.20-0.83), and total METmins (β = 0.63, 95% CI 0.35-0.90), the AAS and SWA were associated at all intensities (moderate (β = 0.41, 95% CI 0.15-0.67), vigorous (β = 0.32, 95% CI 0.19-0.46), MVPA (β = 0.42, 95% CI 0.18-0.65) and total METmins (β = 0.62, 95% CI 0.29-0.96). A significant interaction between the PAR and sex for vigorous-intensity unveiled a weaker association in women. Both surveys tended to under-report physical activity. The largest margins of error were present at light and moderate intensities. For the PAR, participants reported over 20 hours, or 69% less light physical activity than recorded by the SWA per week. For the AAS, participants reported over 7 hours, or 38% less moderate physical activity. Compared to lighter intensities, time spent at a vigorous intensity was overreported by participants with the PAR and AAS by 91 and 43 minutes per week, respectively. The addition of Body Mass Index (BMI) resulted in non-significant interactions between the PAR and SWA for moderate-intensity, and the AAS and SWA for vigorous-intensity; a significant interaction between AAS and BMI indicated that the strength of the association differed by BMI for vigorous-intensity.ConclusionsThe PAR and AAS are not equivalent to the SWA, and sex and BMI may alter the associations between the measures.
Project description:BackgroundMental and body weight disorders are among the major global health challenges, and their comorbidity may play an important role in treatment and prevention of both pathologies. A growing number of studies have examined the relationship between psychiatric status and body weight, but our knowledge is still limited.ObjectiveThe present study aims to investigate the cross-sectional relationships of psychiatric status and body mass index (BMI) in Málaga, a Mediterranean city in the South of Spain.Materials and methodsA total of 563 participants were recruited from those who came to his primary care physician, using a systematic random sampling, non-proportional stratified by BMI categories. Structured clinical interviews were used to assess current Axes-I and II mental disorders according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR). BMI was calculated as weight (Kg) divided by square of height in meters (m2). Logistic regression was used to investigate the association between BMI and the presence of any mental disorder. BMI was introduced in the models using restricted cubic splines.ResultsWe found that high BMI values were directly associated with mood and adjustment disorders, and low BMI values were directly associated with avoidant and dependent personality disorders (PDs). We observed an inverse relationship between low BMI values and cluster A PDs. There were not significant relationships between anxiety or substance-related disorders and BMI.ConclusionPsychiatric status and BMI are related in a Mediterranean Spanish population. A multidisciplinary approach to both pathologies becomes increasingly more necessary.
Project description:BackgroundAsthma and obesity are public health problems that disproportionately affect underserved children. Urban children with asthma may be limited in their participation in physical activity, further increasing their risk for overweight.ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity among high-risk children with persistent asthma, to assess physical activity and activity restrictions by level of asthma control, and to evaluate whether activity is associated with weight status.MethodsWe analyzed baseline data from 324 urban children with poorly controlled asthma (3-10 years old) enrolled in the School-Based Telemedicine Enhanced Asthma Management program in Rochester, New York. Caregivers reported their child's asthma symptoms, physical activity, and activity limitation, and height and weight were measured.ResultsMost children were black (59%), and 69% had Medicaid. Almost half (47%) of children had symptoms that indicated poorly controlled asthma, 15% were overweight, and 31% were obese. Few children (39%) participated in 1 or more hour of physical activity per day. In addition, most (85%) did not walk to and from school, 38% did not have any recess in school, and 35% reported no safe place to exercise. More children with very poorly controlled asthma symptoms, compared with children with more mild symptoms, reported limitation in gym class (58% vs 43%, P = .01) and even in mild activities (28% vs 14%, P = .004). Children with activity limitation were at significantly greater odds of being overweight or obese (odds ratio, 2.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-3.8).ConclusionMany children with persistent asthma are overweight or obese, have limited opportunity for activity, and experience activity limitations. Efforts are needed to optimize asthma control and provide opportunity for increased physical activity in and outside school.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01650844.
Project description:PurposeThe purpose of this study was to assess when in the life-course race-by-sex disparities in body mass index (BMI) emerge.MethodsChild Health and Development Studies participants, from whom height and weight data were collected at ages 5, 9-11, and 15-17 years, were followed up at the age of 50 years for anthropometric outcomes. Follow-up was completed for 605 subjects, 460 of whom were assessed for height and weight at the age of 50 years, had at least one available childhood BMI measure, and self-identified as either non-Hispanic black or non-Hispanic white. Linear regression analyses were conducted to determine whether interactions existed between race (black vs. white) and sex for predicting BMI at ages 5, 9-11, 15-17, and 50 years.ResultsAt age 5 years, BMI was independent of sex for both blacks and whites, but by the age of 9-11 years, BMI was sex-dependent in blacks, with higher BMI observed among black females. This sex dependence for BMI among blacks persisted at ages 15-17 years and age 50 years. The race-by-sex interaction was significant at ages 9-11, 15-17, and 50 years (P for interaction = 0.001, 0.002, and 0.01, respectively).ConclusionsRace-by-sex disparities in body size were observed by the age of 9-11 years and persisted until the age of 50 years.
Project description:ObjectivesTo examine if physical activity (PA) variety was associated with moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA) energy expenditure and body mass index (BMI) at 18 months during an obesity intervention.MethodsParticipants with ≥ 10 minutes/week of MVPA at 6 months and complete PA data were included. Participants were classified into Variety (N = 30), ≥ 2 different activities/week, or Less Variety (N = 65), only 1 activity/week.ResultsWeekly MVPA-related energy expenditure was higher for Variety than Less Variety (3674.7 ± 1934.6 kcal/week vs 2197.3 ± 1841.4 kcal/week, p < .05) at 18 months, with no difference in BMI.ConclusionsGreater weekly PA variety during obesity treatment was related to greater 18-month MVPA energy expenditure.
Project description:AimTo fight overweight and obesity in childhood, this study proposes an additional physical activity (PA) in young children aged 6-10 years. The objective was to evaluate the effect of school-based PA on the body composition according to body mass index (BMI) categories (nonobese vs. obese) and gender.MethodsThis 6-month study examined the effect of this intervention on body composition in 425 children in 14 primary schools (2 weekly PA sessions of 1 h each) compared to 5 control schools. Adiposity indices were evaluated or calculated: BMI, BMI z-score, waist circumference, sum of skinfolds and fat-free mass.ResultsNo difference in the prevalence of obesity and anthropometric characteristics was found between the intervention and control groups at baseline. In girls, PA intervention had significant effect on all anthropometric variables (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001), except on BMI. In contrast, in boys only BMI z-score (p < 0.001) and fat-free mass (p < 0.001) were affected.ConclusionsSix months of preventive PA intervention offer an effective means to improve body composition in obese children. The pattern of response related to PA was similar between girls and boys. In contrast, the pattern was different according to BMI category, with a higher response in obese than nonobese children.
Project description:BackgroundThe prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing at an alarming rate. Many local governments have enacted policies to increase physical activity in schools as a way to combat childhood obesity. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the effect of school-based physical activity interventions on body mass index (BMI) in children.MethodsWe searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to September 2008. We also hand-searched relevant journals and article reference lists. We included randomized controlled trials and controlled clinical trials that had objective data for BMI from before and after the intervention, that involved school-based physical activity interventions and that lasted for a minimum of 6 months.ResultsOf 398 potentially relevant articles that we identified, 18 studies involving 18 141 children met the inclusion criteria. The participants were primarily elementary school children. The study duration ranged from 6 months to 3 years. In 15 of these 18 studies, there was some type of co-intervention. Meta-analysis showed that BMI did not improve with physical activity interventions (weighted mean difference -0.05 kg/m(2), 95% confidence interval -0.19 to 0.10). We found no consistent changes in other measures of body composition.InterpretationSchool-based physical activity interventions did not improve BMI, although they had other beneficial health effects. Current population-based policies that mandate increased physical activity in schools are unlikely to have a significant effect on the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity.