Overweight and obesity related factors in schoolchildren in Santa Catarina State, Brazil

The purpose of this study is to determine the correlation of socioeconomic, dietary, and anthropometric-nutritional variables of parents and their children to overweight (including obesity) in schoolchildren in Santa Catarina State, Brazil. This is a transversal study conducted on 4,964, 6 to 10-year-old schoolchildren registered in 345 Santa Catarina elementary schools. The following data were acquired: the children's current weight and height, birth weight and length, duration of breastfeeding, age at which water, herbal tea and other foods were introduced to their diet; parental income, education level, age, weight and height were also obtained. The prevalence of overweight and obese children were estimated by point and by interval with a 95% confidence; prevalence rates were obtained based on the Poisson model. An hierarchical approach was used, in which variables were adjusted within blocks and included in the model when they presented p < 0.05 at the outcome (overweight including obesity). The results indicate that 47.8% of the subjects were male. The prevalence of overweight and obese students was 15.4% (C195%: 14.4%-16.5%) and 6.1% (C195%: 5.4%-6.7%) respectively and were statistically similar among sexes and age ranges. BMI values were higher in males and among older children (p < 0.05). After adjustment within and among blocks, the variables per capita household income and parents' BMI values remained associated with overweight (including obesity). Overweight (including obesity) in schoolchildren is associated with a higher per capita household income and parental overweight and obesity.     

Obesity, physical activity and inactivity among adolescents in Morelos, Mexico: a longitudinal study

The prevalence of obesity in childhood and adolescence has increased in Mexico. This increase can be explained partly by a decrease in physical activity. The objective of this study was to assess the association between the prevalence of obesity and overweight with physical activity and inactivity among Mexican adolescents. We analyzed data from a longitudinal study with baseline and follow-up measures in 446 adolescents 12 to 17 years old, attending public schools in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico. We collected information on weight, physical activity and demographic characteristics. Obesity and overweight were determined using as indicador the body mass index, and the cutoff points proposed by the International Obesity Task Force. The baseline prevalence of obesity or overweight was 37.22% (42.99% for males and 30.95% for females), and in the final measure 34.30% (38.46% for males and 32.28% for females). The median time of TV viewing was 3.90 h/d, with 0.73 h/d dedicated to vigorous physical activity and 0.58 h/d to moderate physical activity. Using logistic regression, after adjustment for obesity in the baseline measure, sex and clustering by school, we found no significant associations between the prevalence of obesity or overweight with time dedicated to TV viewing, vigorous or moderate physical activity. However, when conducting the analysis with an interaction term by sex, we found significantly lower risk of obesity or overweight associated with an increase in vigorous physical activity among males only (beta = 0.22, 95% CI (0.05, 0.89). Results suggest that vigorous physical activity may reduce the risk of obesity or overweight among male adolescents.     

Anthropometric characteristics of school children graduated from basic and secondary education in the Metropolitan area of Santiago de Chile

An anthropometric assessment of the nutritional status and growth of students graduating from Basic (8th grade) and Secondary (4th grade) Education was carried out. A group sample of 522 students from the Metropolitan Area of Santiago, Chile, was randomly selected. The same number of students by sex, dependency (public and private schools) from high, medium and low socioeconomic levels (SEL) was chosen. SEL was measured through the Graffar Modified Scale, and the percentage of weight for age (% W/A), height/age (% H/A) and weight/height (% W/H) were evaluated in accordance with the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reference pattern. The % adequacy of head circumference/age (% HC/A) was determined by the Tanner Tables, and the % of upper to lower segment ratio (% US/LS), by the Tables of Muzzo et al. Results revealed that the % of W/A and of H/A were diminished in students of both sexes, while the % of UP/LS, was increased in males of low SEL, from Basic Education; this impact is lost in males graduating from Secondary Education and persists only in the LSE females. No differences in the nutritional status (% W/H) of students according to SEL, were found. Females registered values over 110% of the WHO standard, a finding suggesting a high prevalence of overweight and obesity. We conclude that there is a growth retardation in students graduating from 8th Basic Grade, which persists only in females from 4th grade of Secondary Education. This finding indicates that, in addition to possible environmental factors, other factors, probably of genetic order, also influence the latter. Overweight and obesity, therefore, constitute an important problem that merits measures of preventive nature directed to avoid future consequences.     

Prevalence of obesity and level of activity physical in school adolescents

Prevalence of obesity and level of activity physical in school adolescents. The objective of the work was to quantify the prevalence of overweight and obesity in a group of students of Ourense and its relation with the physical activity levels during school. 111 schoolares in the 5th and 6th year of primary school, with an average age of 11.3 years participated. 42.3% were women and 57.7% men. Weight, height and body mass (BMI) index were determined. Overweight and obesity were defined using as criteria the value of BMI-specific percentiles for age and sex. Physical activity (PA) level was assessed using an interview-questionnaire designed to be used with Spanish child population. 38.7% of the population presented overweight or obesity, and although the prevalence was higher in girls, no significant differences for the BMI between sexes were found. Results revealed the 61.2% of the adolescents to be inactive or very inactive, this percentage was higher for the girls than for the boys; for which the average energy expenditure (metabolic equivalent METS expressed in Kcal.kg-1 hour) is significantly smaller than the average for boys.     

Secular trends in growth in male adolescents: height and weight gains, nutritional state and relation with education

This work aimed at characterizing the modifications in adolescents nutritional status, growth evolution and education along time and the correlation with the height, weight and body mass index. Data came from 2616 male adolescents soldiers between 17 and 19 years old enlisted for Armed Services in the city of Vi?osa-Minas Gerais, Brazil, between 1995 and 2004. There was a positive secular trend for height and weight, with a 4cm and 3kg median increment, respectively, along time. There was a reduction from 28.0% to 11.6% on the prevalence of short stature in the period. It was estimated positive correlation (p < 0.05) between education and stature, weight and BMI. The prevalence of weight excess (risk of overweight and overweight) increased from 7.1% (1995) to 9.1% (2004). Although it was observed positive secular trend for stature and weight, it was not sufficient to reach the median of the National Center for Health Statistics/Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Weight excess and short stature prevalence must be monitored, being necessary the implementation of measures that focus to prevent these disturbance and aim at reaching or maintaining an adequate nutritional state for future generations.     

Socioeconomic level and nutritional status: a study in schoolchildren

Obesity increased in recent years at different rates among socioeconomic levels (SEL). The purpose of this study was to analyze the association between SEL and nutritional status in schoolchildren attending elementary schools in the six counties that show the highest prevalence of obesity in Santiago, Chile. Within the counties schools were stratified according to obesity and children were randomly selected from each school. Anthropometric assessment was performed in children whilst a socio-demographic survey and a 24 hour recall of food intake were applied to their mothers. We classified the sample according to SEL in two categories (higher and a lower vulnerability). The prevalence of excess weight was 51.1% (24.7% overweight and 26,4% obese) without significant differences among SEL. The most vulnerable group had lower values of body mass index, skinfold thickness, arm circumference and food intake however, these differences were not statistically significant. At the same time, these children were physically more active, showing higher use of community places to play [OR 1.91; 95% CI 1.05-3.48] and walked larger distances from houses to schools OR 6.6; CI 2.5-16.7). Thus, albeit non significant association was detected between SEL and anthropometric indicators nor with food intake, the highest vulnerable group showed a tendency to have lower values and more physical activity.     

Ultrasonography measurement of intrabdominal visceral fat in obese men. Association with alterations in serum lipids and insulinemia

Abdominal obesity and specifically intrabdominal adiposity leads to increase in cardiometabolic risk factors (CMR), independently of body mass index (BMI). In order to examine CMR factors associated with the presence of visceral fat (VF) in individuals with different degrees of overweight/obesity, 154 men, 20 to 60 years of age, attending a at an Industrial Clinic in Venezuela, were evaluated. Ultrasound was used to establish the presence and amount of VF. As expected, VF values were higher as the BMI increased. It was observed that VF was associated positive and significantly with age, abdominal circumference and the degree of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in subjects with normal weight as well as in those with overweight and obesity. However, BMI was correlated with VF only in those with normal weight or overweight. In the obese a positive correlation was observed between VF with glycemia and triglycerides, while insulin was correlated with VF only in the subjects with normal weight. Based on the ROC curves, and taking as cut-off point for VF a value of 6 cm, it was possible to predict the presence of hyperglycemia with a 58.6% of sensitivity and 77% of specificity, presence of insulin resistance with 54 % of sensitivity and 78 % specificity, hypertriglyceridemia with 39% of sensitivity and 78% specificity and low HDLc with 45% sensitivity and 77% specificity. The area under the curve for the ROC analysis was greater for visceral fat compared with abdominal circumference for hyperglicemia (0.727 vs. 0.693, p < 0.05) and hypertrigliceridemia (0.678 vs. 0.621, p < 0.05) while the opposite was observed for HOMA-IR (0.74 vs. 0.788, p < 0.05) and for low HDL-c (0.651 vs. 0.668, p < 0.05). We conclude that ultrasound measure of VF, was better in predicting hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia, while abdominal circumference was better predicting insulin resistance and low HDLc and could be useful in the preventive evaluation of individuals at risk for diabetes or cardiovascular disease.     

Anemia in relation to body mass index and waist circumference among chinese women

Background

This study aimed to investigate the relationship of anemia and body mass index among adult women in Jiangsu Province, China. Data were collected in a sub-national cross-sectional survey, and 1,537 women aged 20 years and above were included in the analyses. Subjects were classified by body mass index (BMI) categories as underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese according to the Chinese standard. Central obesity was defined as a waist circumference?≥?80 cm. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin concentration?<?12 g/dl. Prevalence ratios (PRs) of the relationship between anemia and BMI or waist circumference were calculated using Poisson regression.

Findings

Overall, 31.1% of the Chinese women were anemic. The prevalence of overweight, obesity and central obesity was 34.2%, 5.8% and 36.2%, respectively. The obese group had the highest concentrations of hemoglobin compared with other BMI groups. After adjustment for confounders, overweight and obese women had a lower PR for anemia (PR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.62-0.89; PR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.43-0.79). Central obesity was inversely associated with anemia.

Conclusion

In this Chinese population, women with overweight/obesity or central obesity were less likely to be anemic as compared to normal weight women. No measures are required currently to target anemia specifically for overweight and obese people in China.     

Prevalence of overweight and obesity in northwest Mexico by three references of body mass index: differences in classification

The objective of this study was to compare the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children from northwest of Mexico based on BMI/age and three criteria of growth reference standards. Six hundred and four children, 6 to 10 years of age, from 17 municipalities of the state of Sonora were measured for weight and height and age established from birth certificate school records. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was determined by the new version of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC/NCHS), the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) and the values proposed by The World Health Organization (WHO) that was utilized in the National Nutrition Survey of 1999 in Mexico (ENN). Using the WHO reference, prevalence of overweight and obesity was 39%. This was higher than the CDC/NCHS (20%) and IOTF (17%) references, respectively. Prevalence of overweight and obesity by CDC/NCHS and IOTF criteria, showed the best agreement (Kappa >80); this was not the case when prevalence from CDC/NCHS and IOTF were compared to the WHO criteria (Kappa <40). For overweight and obesity frequencies, no sex or urban-rural differences were observed (p>0.05). In conclusion, the use of these 3 reference values systems using BMI/ age did not show the same prevalence estimates of overweight and obesity. The use of the WHO method can overestimate the prevalence of obesity in children, therefore the use of these 3 references should be considered for future comparisons.     

Metabolic parameters and risk factors associated with abdominal obesity among female adolescents in public schools in the Distrito Federal (Brazil)

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of abdominal obesity and investigate their association with parameters markers of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its risk factors in female adolescents. It is a cross-sectional study with 150 adolescents from 10 public schools in the Federal District, Brazil. The presence of abdominal obesity was considered by measuring waist circumference above the 80th percentile, according to Taylor et al. (2000). The associated factors included sociodemographic characteristics, health status of adolescents and their parents, physical activity, eating habits, blood pressure and biochemical profile. The abdominal obesity prevalence ratio (PR) was estimated by Poisson regression model, with 95% CI. Among the adolescents studied (age= 15.6 +/- 0.8 years; BMI = 21.0 +/- 3.0 kg/m2), prevalence of abdominal obesity was 20%, and this condition was not associated with sociodemographic variables, physical activity and diet. However, abdominal obesity was significantly associated with intake of less than 4 meals a day (PR = 2.27; IC95% 1.27-4.10), previous obesity (PR = 2.36; IC95% 1.31-4.01), history of parental chronic disease (PR = 3.55; IC 95% 1.63-7.75), fasting insulin = 15 uUi/mL (PR = 3.05; IC 95% 1.36-6.82) e HDL-c > 40 mg/dL (PR = 0.39; IC95% 0.23-0.67). In this population, modifiable factors, family history and determinants of MS, such as insulin and HDL-c were associated with abdominal obesity, which points to the need for effective health promotion among adolescents.     

Relationship between maternal anthropometry and weight gain with birth weight, and risks of low birth weight, small for gestational age and prematurity at an urban population of Buenos Aires, Argentina

To asses the relationship between body mass index and net weight gain during pregnancy with birth weight and the risks of low birth weight, small for date and prematurity 9613 records from Sardá's Perinatal Database between 1994-1995 were reviewed. Exclusion criteria were fetal death, twin pregnancy, congenital malformations, lack of prenatal visits and lack of preconceptional weight and height. 9.6% of mothers and 15% of adolescents presented with low preconceptional BMI (median: 24.8 +/- 4.3 kg/m2); in contrast, 28% were overweight and obese. Net weight gain (median 9.25 +/- 4.9 kg) accounted for 16% of previous weight and was higher with lower BMI (p = 0.001). Birth weight (median 3375 +/- 467 g) decreased with lower BMI (p = 0.001) and the risks of low birth weight (p < 0.05), small for date (p < 0.05), and prematurity (p = 0.05) was independently associated with BMI, and increased (p < 0.001) when lower the net weight gain was. The best predictors for low birth weight, small for date and prematurity risks were low preconceptional weight (40-51 kg) (adjusted OR 1.72; [95%CI 1.48-1.95], 2.12 [1.82-2.41] and 1.46 [1.12-1.79] respectively). Net weight gain and several predictive variables did not explain more than 10.8% of the variability of birth weight. Preconceptional weight should have important implications for the design of future nutritional strategies at a poblational level, especially for adolescents.     

Poor nutritional status of schoolchildren in urban and peri-urban areas of Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)

Background  

Malnutrition is still highly prevalent in developing countries. Schoolchildren may also be at high nutritional risk, not only under-five children. However, their nutritional status is poorly documented, particularly in urban areas. The paucity of information hinders the development of relevant nutrition programs for schoolchildren. The aim of this study carried out in Ouagadougou was to assess the nutritional status of schoolchildren attending public and private schools.     

Changes in body composition in lactating adolescent mothers

We assessed changes in body composition in lactating adolescent mothers living under unfavorable socioeconomic and sanitary conditions. A total of 17 healthy primiparous adolescents under 17 years of age attending the Maternity Hospital of the city of La Plata, Argentina, were followed at 4 time points (15 days and 3, 6 and 12 months postpartum) to assess, a) dietary intake, b) practice of physical activity, c) nutritional condition (weight, height, body mass index [BMI] according to age, and body composition by the sum of skinfold measurements), d) characteristics of lactation, and e) growth parameters of the child. The mean age of adolescents was 15.06 +/- 0.66 years (mean menarchal age, 11.59 +/- 0.80 years). All adolescents breastfed up to 12 months postpartum, and maternal milk covered above 80% the baby intake (mean 7.06 +/- 2.54 breast feeds/day). While the daily intake of nutrients by adolescent mothers was constant up to 6 months postpartum, there was a modest decrease in that of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids 15 days and 12 months postpartum. The decrease in energetic intake during the same period was significant (p < 0.05). The practice of physical activity was classified as moderate during the follow-up period. Whereas mean basal percent of fat body mass (FBM) was 29.85 +/- 2.87, and decreased significantly at 6 (27.2% +/- 3.9%; p = 0.02) and 12 (26.1% +/- 3.9%; p = 0.002) months postpartum, changes in lean body mass (LBM) were not significant. In conclusion, lactating adolescents maintained LBM, whereas weight, FBM and BMI decreased markedly from 3 months postpartum.     

The effects of four hypocaloric diets containing different levels of sucrose or high fructose corn syrup on weight loss and related parameters

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The replacement of sucrose with HFCS in food products has been suggested as playing a role in the development of obesity as a public health issue. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of four equally hypocaloric diets containing different levels of sucrose or high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). METHODS: This was a randomized, prospective, double blind trial, with overweight/obese participants measured for body composition and blood chemistry before and after the completion of 12 weeks following a hypocaloric diet. The average caloric deficit achieved on the hypocaloric diets was 309 kcal. RESULTS: Reductions were observed in all measures of adiposity including body mass, BMI, % body fat, waist circumference and fat mass for all four hypocaloric groups, as well as reductions in exercise only group for body mass, BMI and waist circumference. CONCLUSIONS: Similar decreases in weight and indices of adiposity are observed when overweight or obese individuals are fed hypocaloric diets containing levels of sucrose or high fructose corn syrup typically consumed by adults in the United States.     

Relationships of low serum vitamin D<Subscript>3</Subscript>with anthropometry and markers of the metabolic syndrome and diabetes in overweight and obesity

Low serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D₃ (vitamin D₃) is known to perturb cellular function in many tissues, including the endocrine pancreas, which are involved in obesity and type II diabetes mellitus (TIIDM). Vitamin D₃ insufficiency has been linked to obesity, whether obesity is assessed by body mass index (BMI) or waist circumference (waist). Central obesity, using waist as the surrogate, is associated with the metabolic syndrome (MetSyn), insulin resistance, TIIDM and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). We tested how vitamin D₃ was related to measures of fat mass, MetSyn markers, haemoglobin A_1c (HbA_1c) and MetSyn in a cross-sectional sample of 250 overweight and obese adults of different ethnicities. There were modest inverse associations of vitamin D₃ with body weight (weight) (r = -0.21, p = 0.0009), BMI (r = -0.18, p = 0.005), waist (r = -0.14, p = 0.03), [but not body fat % (r = -0.08, p = 0.24)], and HbA_1c (r = -0.16, p = 0.01). Multivariable regression carried out separately for BMI and waist showed a decrease of 0.74 nmol/L (p = 0.002) in vitamin D₃ per 1 kg/m² increase in BMI and a decrease of 0.29 nmol/L (p = 0.01) per 1 cm increase in waist, with each explaining approximately 3% of the variation in vitamin D₃ over and above gender, age, ethnicity and season.     

Obesity and eating habits among college students in Saudi Arabia: a cross sectional study

Background  

During the last few decades, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) experienced rapid socio-cultural changes caused by the accelerating economy in the Arabian Gulf region. That was associated with major changes in the food choices and eating habits which, progressively, became more and more "Westernized". Such "a nutritional transition" has been claimed for the rising rates of overweight and obesity which were recently observed among Saudi population. Therefore, the objectives of the current work were to 1) determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in a sample of male college students in KSA and 2) determine the relationship between the students' body weight status and composition and their eating habits.     

Epidemiology of Breast Cancer in Mexican Women with Obesity as a Risk Factor

Purpose. Adipose tissue in overweight and obesity shows metabolic imbalance in the function of adipocytes and macrophages, this leads to altered regulation of hunger, lipid storage, and chronic inflammation possibly related to the development of breast cancer. Methods. The study was retrospective of 653 breast cancer patients treated at a tertiary care hospital. Histopathology, hormone receptors, grade, clinical stage, clinical biometry analysis, CEA and CA 15-3 antigens were analyzed. The analyses were performed at diagnosis and at the end of oncological treatments. Results. Mexican women studied and treated for breast cancer have an BMI of 29 from diagnosis and at the end of their cancer treatments. The average age was 52 ± 12 years, 54% in women older than 55 years. Cancer recurrence occurs in any molecular type; however, the common factor was overweight and obesity with 73% vs. 21% in normal weight patients. The most frequent tumor tissue in the population was positive hormone receptors of the luminal type (65%), HER2 (15%), and NT (15%). The analyses of macrophages/lymphocytes (M/L), CEA, and CA 15-3 antigens evaluated in women >55 and <55 years, with and without recurrence are elevated at the end of oncological treatments. Conclusions. The analysis of Mexican women with breast cancer showed a predominance of overweight and obesity at diagnosis and at the end of treatment. A relationship between obesity and cancer recurrence with a low response to treatment due to elevation in Ag CEA and CA 15-3 is suggested. The L/M ratio could be an indicator of inflammation related to adipose tissue since diagnosis.     

Evolution of the nutritional status of Chilean children from preschool to school age: anthropometric results according to the source of the data

Because the results of the nutritional status released by Chilean institutions which collect anthropometric data on their population under control, show different increments in the prevalence of obesity between preschoolers and children in 1st grade, we decided to verify the real magnitude of this increase. This study is based on a longitudinal investigation which began in 2006 and included 1100, three-year old children, which we evaluated when they were 4, 5 and 6 y. The nutritional status was determined according to BMI Z and WHO References 2006/2007. The information was also used to determine the concordance between the anthropometric data collected on first graders by teachers from public schools in 2009 (JUNAEB data set) and the same children assessed in parallel by INTA (INTA data set). The sample included 474, six-year olds. No differences were found between the average BMI Z and HAZ of the two data sets, and the degree of concordance between the BMI Z's was good (rho = 0.73), however there were differences in the nutritional status, since the prevalence of low weight was significantly greater when assessed with JUNAEB's data (9.5% vs. 3.6% ), while that for obesity was lower with INTA's data, 17.5% vs. 19.2% (not significantly different). At 4 and 5 y, obesity prevalence of the children was 13.3% and 15.7% respectively (INTA's data). Considering the observed nutritional trajectory, it is likely that the rise in obesity between 4 and 6 y of age, was 4 percentage points and not 6, as was determined with INTA's data.     

Food and nutrition knowledge of students graduating from basic education in the metropolitan area of Santiago, Chile

The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of knowledge on food and nutrition in students graduating from Basic Education in the Metropolitan Area of Santiago, Chile. A random sample of 249 students of both sexes (1:1) from public and non-public schools (1:1) and from high, medium and low socioeconomic level (SEL), was selected. SEL was measured through the Graffar Modified Scale, and the degree of knowledge on food and nutrition was evaluated through a standardized test of 29 multiple choice items, based on the objectives of the curriculum program. The test was divided in two areas: Area 1, which contemplated Food and Requirements and Area 2, Food, Personal and Environmental Hygiene. Data were analyzed by chi-square procedure, comparing students who obtained sufficient knowledge (greater than or equal to 50% of correct answers) with those who obtained insufficient knowledge (less than 50% of correct answers). Results of the study indicated that 39.8% of students registered sufficient knowledge, 31.3% and 65.9% in Area 1 and 2, respectively. According to SEL, 62.1% and 12.3% of students from high and low SEL, respectively, registered sufficient knowledge (p less than 0.001), and the same effect was observed in Areas 1 and 2. In relation to sex, 46.3% of females and 33.3% of males registered sufficient knowledge (p less than 0.05), fact which was confirmed in both areas of the test. No significant differences were registered in the degree of knowledge on food and nutrition of students from public and non-public schools. It is therefore concluded that the degree of knowledge on food and nutrition in students graduating from Basic Education differs significantly according to SEL and, sex. This study represents a basic contribution to the better understanding of factors affecting the degree of knowledge on food and nutrition in students graduating from Basic Education in Santiago, Chile, and may serve as base-line for further studies on the subject.