Child Fitness and Father’s BMI Are Important Factors in Childhood Obesity: A School Based Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

BackgroundThis study examines obesity and factors associated with obesity in children aged 11–13 years in the UK.Methods1147 children from ten secondary schools participated in a health survey that included blood samples, fitness test and anthropometric measures. Factors associated with obesity were examined using multilevel logistic regression.FindingsOf the children examined (490 male; 657 female) a third were overweight, 1 in 6 had elevated blood pressure, more than 1 in 10 had high cholesterol, 58% consumed more fat than recommended, whilst 37% were classified as unfit. Children in deprived areas had a higher proportion of risk factors; for example, they had higher blood pressure (20% (deprived) compared to 11% (non-deprived), difference: 9.0% (95%CI: 4.7%–13.4%)). Obesity is associated with risk factors for heart disease and diabetesMaintaining fitness is associated with a reduction in the risk factors for heart disease (high blood pressure and cholesterol) but not on risk factors for diabetes (insulin levels). In order of importance, the main risk factors for childhood obesity are being unfit, having an obese father, and being large at birth.ConclusionThe high proportion of children with risk factors suggests future interventions need to focus on community and policy change to shift the population norm rather than targeting the behaviour of high risk individuals. Interventions need to focus on mothers’ lifestyle in pregnancy, fathers’ health, as well as promoting fitness among children. Obesity was not associated with deprivation. Therefore, strategies should be adopted in both deprived and non deprived areas.

Fathers’ Roles in the Care and Development of Their Children: The Role of Pediatricians

“…Current research now suggests that when only 1 member of the parenting couple is in a higher weight status category, it is the father's and not the mother's weight status that is a significant predictor of later child overweight and obesity. 137,138 In fact, the odds of a healthy mother and overweight father having an obese child 4 years later were 4.18 (95% confidence interval: 1.01-17.33), and the odds of a healthy mother and obese father having an obese child 4 years later were 14.88. 139 These results suggest that fathers are a key influence in shaping the family environment that leads to the development of child obesity.…”

Estatus ponderal y aptitud cardiorrespiratoria en escolares de la región central del Perú

“…La obesidad tiene un componente genético relevante (28) ; del mismo modo, los factores ambientales demuestran una elevada importancia que intervienen de forma compleja y desigual entre o dentro de los países (6) . El incremento de la frecuencia del sobrepeso/obesidad en niños y adolescentes peruanos podría atribuirse a cambios diferenciados en los estilos de vida en diversas 4,67 (3,55 -6,14) <0,01 áreas geográficas: Barranco presenta una densidad poblacional de 10 181,08 hab./km 2 , inseguridad pública creciente, y una falta de infraestructura deportivorecreacional pública accesible a la población escolar, situación que estaría contribuyendo en la adopción de un estilo de vida sedentario; en tanto, Junín tiene una densidad poblacional de 12,79 hab./km 2 y Chanchamayo de 27,8 hab./km 2 situación que predispone a que la mayoría de su población escolar demuestre patrones y niveles de actividad física (recreativas, tareas domésticas y de apoyo en actividades agrícolas en el campo) con intensidad, frecuencia y duración superior a sus pares costeños.…”

“…La adopción de un estilo de vida sedentario y patrones nutricionales inadecuados conlleva a una reducción drástica de actividad física moderada a vigorosa en escolares, asociándose así el sobrepeso y la obesidad a bajos niveles de actividad física que se refleja en una disminución de los niveles de aptitud física en todos sus componentes, especialmente de la AptCR (6,16,17) . En una muestra de adolescentes del presente estudio se verificó, que una proporción apropiada del peso corporal para la estatura (índice ponderal recíproco), es un predictor adecuado para el desarrollo de la AptCR.…”

“…El aumento de la obesidad en las últimas décadas ha sido explicado, genéricamente, por múltiples y complejas interacciones entre genes y diversos factores ambientales (6) . Los cambios en los hábitos dietéticos, sobre todo el incremento del consumo de alimentos muy densos calóricamente y la adopción de estilos de vida sedentario que se manifiesta en bajos niveles de actividad y aptitud física durante la niñez y adolescencia pueden conducir a diversas complicaciones de salud en la edad adulta, como la diabetes, la hipertensión, la intolerancia a la glucosa, una función pulmonar más pobre y una amplia gama de condiciones patológicas menos comunes que, a su vez, pueden conllevar a condiciones de salud crónicas (7,8) .…”

Intervenções escolares para redução da obesidade infantil: uma revisão sistemática

“…As escolas têm sido um cenário popular e importante para implementação de intervenções, uma vez que oferecem contato contínuo com as crianças 8 . No entanto, apesar das vantagens aparentes de tratar a obesidade infantil no ambiente escolar, tem se observado uma relativa falta de eficácia nas intervenções e recursos escassos para intervenções no ambiente escolar 9 . A maioria das pesquisas realizadas em ambiente escolar tem sido focadas na oferta da educação nutricional, 10 diminuição do tempo gasto em frente as telas (televisão, videogame e computadores), redução do comportamento sedentário com distribuição de panfletos e palestras educativas bem como programas de atividade física, e na modificação do cardápio oferecido pelas cantinas escolares 11 .…”