Dataset Information

Are environmental area characteristics at birth associated with overweight and obesity in school-aged children? Findings from the SLOPE (Studying Lifecourse Obesity PrEdictors) population-based cohort in the south of England.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Geographical inequalities in overweight and obesity prevalence among children are well established in cross-sectional research. We aimed to examine how environmental area characteristics at birth are related to these outcomes in childhood. METHODS:Anonymised antenatal and birth data recorded by University Hospital Southampton linked to school-measured weight and height data for children within Southampton, UK, were utilised (14,084 children at ages 4-5 and 5637 at ages 10-11). Children's home address at birth was analysed at the Lower and Middle layer Super Output Area (LSOA/MSOA) levels (areas with average populations of 1500 and 7000, respectively). Area-level indices (walkability, relative density of unhealthy food outlets, spaces for social interaction), natural greenspace coverage, supermarket density and measures of air pollution (PM2.5, PM10 and NOx) were constructed using ArcGIS Network Analyst. Overweight/obesity was defined as a body mass index (BMI; kg/m2) greater than the 85th centile for sex and age. Population-average generalised estimating equations estimated the risk of being overweight/obese for children at both time points. Confounders included maternal BMI and smoking in early pregnancy, education, ethnicity and parity. We also examined associations for a subgroup of children who moved residence between birth and outcome measurement. RESULTS:There were mixed results between area characteristics at birth and overweight/obesity at later ages. MSOA relative density of unhealthy food outlets and PM10 were positively associated with overweight/obesity, but not among children who moved. LSOA greenspace coverage was negatively associated with the risk of being overweight/obese at ages 10-11 in all children (relative risk ratio 0.997, 95% confidence interval 0.995-0.999, p?=?0.02) and among children who moved. CONCLUSIONS:Local access to natural greenspaces at the time of birth was inversely associated with becoming overweight or obese by age 10-11, regardless of migration. Increased access/protection of greenspace may have a role in the early prevention of childhood obesity.

SUBMITTER: Wilding S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7081603 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Are environmental area characteristics at birth associated with overweight and obesity in school-aged children? Findings from the SLOPE (Studying Lifecourse Obesity PrEdictors) population-based cohort in the south of England.

Wilding Sam S Ziauddeen Nida N Smith Dianna D Roderick Paul P Chase Debbie D Alwan Nisreen A NA

BMC medicine 20200319 1

<h4>Background</h4>Geographical inequalities in overweight and obesity prevalence among children are well established in cross-sectional research. We aimed to examine how environmental area characteristics at birth are related to these outcomes in childhood.<h4>Methods</h4>Anonymised antenatal and birth data recorded by University Hospital Southampton linked to school-measured weight and height data for children within Southampton, UK, were utilised (14,084 children at ages 4-5 and 5637 at ages ...[more]

PMID: 32188454

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Project description:BackgroundPrevalence of childhood overweight and obesity in low- and middle-income countries is on the rise. We focused on multiple factors which could influence body mass index.MethodsA cross sectional school-based study was conducted in Moshi, Tanzania. Primary school children aged 9-11 years were recruited from 20 schools through a multistage sampling technique. Questionnaires were used to collect information on physical activity and diet by food frequency questionnaire. Height and weight measurements were taken and body mass index z scores for age and sex (BMIZ) calculated using the WHO AnthroPlus. Children were considered thin if BMIZ was <-2 standard deviations and overweight or obese if BMIZ was >1 SD. Information on school policies and environment was obtained from headteachers. Correlates of overweight and obesity were examined using a multinomial multilevel logistic regression.ResultsA total of 1170 primary school children, of whom 636 (54%) were girls, were recruited from 20 schools. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 15% overall (overweight 9% and obesity 6%) and most prevalent in urban areas (23%) and in private schools (24%). Moreover, thinness was found to be (10%) overall, most prevalent in rural areas (13%) and in government schools (14%). At school level, residing in urban (adjusted relative risk ratio [aRRR] 3.76; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.49,5.68) and being in private school (aRRR 4.08; 95% CI 2.66,6.25) were associated with a higher risk of overweight and obesity while availability of playgrounds in schools (aRRR 0.68; 95% CI 0.47, 0.97) was associated with a lower risk of overweight and obesity. At home level, availability of sugary drinks (aRRR 1.52; 95% CI 1.01,2.28) was associated with a higher risk of overweight and obesity.ConclusionOverweight and obesity are common in private schools and in urban settings. Efforts should be taken to ensure availability of playgrounds in schools and encouraging children to engage in physical activities.

Project description:BackgroundAmbient air pollution may increase the risk of overweight and obesity in children. However, available evidence is still scarce and has mainly focused on ambient air pollution exposure occurring at home without considering the school environment. The aim of this study is to assess whether exposure to ambient air pollution at home and school is associated with overweight and obesity in primary school children.MethodsWe studied 2660 children aged 7-10 years during 2012 in Barcelona. Child weight and height were measured and age- and sex-specific z-scores for body mass index (zBMI) were calculated using the WHO growth reference 2007. Overweight and obesity were defined using the same reference. Land use regression models were used to estimate levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter <2.5 μm (PM2.5), <10 μm (PM10) and coarse (PMcoarse) at home. Outdoor levels of NO2, PM2.5, elemental carbon (EC), and ultrafine particles (UFP) were measured in the schoolyard. Multilevel mixed linear and ordered logistic models were used to assess the association between ambient air pollution (continuous per interquartile range (IQR) increase and categorical with tertile cutoffs) and zBMI (continuous and ordinal: normal, overweight, obese), after adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics.ResultsAn IQR increase in PM10-home (5.6 μg/m3) was associated with a 10% increase in the odds of being overweight or obese (odds ratio (OR) = 1.10; 95% CI = 1.00, 1.22). Children exposed to the highest tertile of UFP-school (>27,346 particles/cm3) had a 30% higher odds of being overweight or obese (OR = 1.30; 95%CI = 1.03, 1.64) compared to the lowest tertile of UFP exposure. We also observed that exposure to NO2, PM2.5 or EC at schools was associated with higher odds of overweight or obese at medium compared to low levels of exposure. Home and school exposures did not show any significant associations with zBMI (except PM2.5-school comparing tertile 2 vs tertile 1) but were similar in direction.ConclusionsThis study suggests that exposure to ambient air pollution, especially at school, is associated with childhood risk for overweight and obesity. A cautious interpretation is warranted because associations were not always linear and because school and home air pollution measurements were not directly comparable.

Dataset Information

Are environmental area characteristics at birth associated with overweight and obesity in school-aged children? Findings from the SLOPE (Studying Lifecourse Obesity PrEdictors) population-based cohort in the south of England.

Publications

Are environmental area characteristics at birth associated with overweight and obesity in school-aged children? Findings from the SLOPE (Studying Lifecourse Obesity PrEdictors) population-based cohort in the south of England.

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