Impact of unhealthy childhood and unfavorable parents' characteristics on adiposity in schoolchildren

Abstract

Background: Childhood obesity is encouraged by low physical activity (PA), time spent using screens (screen time, ST), and by sugar-sweetened beverage consumption (SSBc). It is also influenced by unfavorable parents' characteristics, such as a high body mass index (BMI) and low education level (EL). Our aim was to evaluate the overall and specific influence of these factors on childhood adiposity. Material and methods:Anthropometric parameters including BMI z-score, waist circumference (WC), waist to height ratio (WtHR), and fat mass were measured in a cohort of 1702 schoolchildren (6.0-14.5 years, mean 10.7 ± 1.8) and questionnaires concerning children's PA, ST, and SSBc, and parent's BMI and EL were administered to parents. Results:Overweight/obesity prevalence was higher (P < .0001) in males (57%) than in females (43%). Less physically active children (28.9%) had a higher prevalence of overweight/obesity and higher BMI z-score, WC, WtHR, and fat mass relative to more physically active children (P < .05). PA was negatively associated with the BMI z-score (r = 0.18, P < .0001) and fat mass percentage (r = 0.18, P < .0001).Children with more ST had higher WC and WtHR than non-ST viewers (P < .05) but not BMI. Moreover, SSBc did not influence the anthropometric parameters. At multivariate analysis, male gender, less PA, and parental risk factors (parent's overweight/obesity and low/medium EL) were independently associated with overweight and obesity among childhood with a progressively increasing odds ratio (1.65, 1.40, and 1.80, respectively). Conclusions:Male gender, behavioral risk factors (particularly low PA), and parent's characteristics are important correlates of obesity in children.

Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Children and Adolescents with Metabolically Healthy Obesity: Role of Insulin Sensitivity

“…The global prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity, calculated on the basis of body mass index (BMI, Kg/m 2 ), has increased by over 50% in Life 2020, 10, 127 2 of 13 the last two decades (from 4.2% in 1990 to 6.7% in 2010), and it is expected to reach 9.1% by 2020 [3]. Such a secular trend has also been recently confirmed among Sicilian schoolchildren [4,5].…”

The association of dietary choline and betaine and anthropometric measurements among Iranian children: a cross-sectional study

“…Several studies have explored the association between individual foods, nutrients [17][18][19], and dietary patterns [20][21][22][23] and anthropometric measurements in children. However, there is limited evidence regarding the association between other dietary components such as choline and betaine, as methyl donor compounds, and anthropometric measurements.…”

Association between Food, Beverages and Overweight/Obesity in Children and Adolescents—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

“…Sugar sweetened beverages: Based on 26 records [ 17 , 19 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 25 , 29 , 33 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 45 , 52 , 53 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 ], the OR (95% CI) for higher intake of sugar-sweetened beverages versus lower intake of sugar-sweetened beverages was 1.20 (1.09, 1.33) ( p < 0.05) ( I 2 = 79.34%) in children and adolescents 5–18 years ( Figure 2 ). In children 5–11 years, the OR (95% CI) was 1.23 (1.10, 1.38) ( p < 0.05) ( n :12) ( Figure 3 ) and in adolescents 12–18 years of age, the OR (95% CI) was 1.30 (1.15, 1.46) ( p < 0.05) ( n :3) ( Figure 4 ).…”