Frequency of family dinner and adolescent body weight status: evidence from the national longitudinal survey of youth, 1997

Objective: To explore associations between overweight status and the frequency of family dinners (FFD) for adolescents and how those associations differ across race and ethnicity. Research Methods and Procedures: A sample of 5014 respondents between 12 and 15 years of age from the 1997 wave of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 (NLSY97) was used. BMI was calculated using self‐reported height and weight; 13.3% of respondents qualified as overweight, 16.4% qualified as at‐risk‐of‐overweight, and 1.9% qualified as underweight. The remainder were normal weight. FFD was defined as the number of times respondents had dinner with their families in a typical week in the past year. Multinomial logistic regression models were estimated separately for non‐Hispanic whites vs. blacks and Hispanics for odds of belonging to the other weight categories compared with normal weight. A supplementary longitudinal analysis estimated the odds of change in overweight status between 1997 and 2000. Results: In 1997, the FFD distribution was as follows: 0, 8.3%; 1 or 2, 7.3%; 3 or 4, 13.4%; 5 or 6, 28.1%; 7, 42%. For whites, higher FFD was associated with reduced odds of being overweight in 1997, reduced odds of becoming overweight, and increased odds of ceasing to be overweight by 2000. No such associations were found for blacks and Hispanics. Discussion: Reasons for racial and ethnic differences in the relationship between FFD and overweight may include differences in the types and portions of food consumed at family meals. More research is needed to verify this.     

Activity, inactivity, and screen time in relation to weight and fatness over adolescence in girls

Objective: The impact of activity and inactivity on relative weight and fatness change are best evaluated longitudinally. We examined the longitudinal relationship of physical activity, inactivity, and screen time with relative weight status and percentage body fat (%BF) and explored how it differed by parental overweight status. Research Methods and Procedures: Non‐obese pre‐menarcheal girls (173), 8 to 12 years old, were followed until 4 years post‐menarche. %BF, BMI z‐score, and time spent sleeping, sitting, standing, walking, and in vigorous activity were assessed annually. We developed a physical activity index to reflect time and intensity of activity. Inactivity was defined as the sum of time spent sleeping, sitting, and standing. Screen time was defined as time spent viewing television, videotapes, or playing video games. Parental overweight was defined as at least one parent with BMI > 25. Results: In separate linear mixed effects models, activity, inactivity, and screen time were unrelated to BMI z‐score longitudinally, with and without accounting for parental overweight. After controlling for parental overweight, activity was inversely related (p < 0.001), and inactivity was directly related (p < 0.035) to increased %BF longitudinally. Screen time was unrelated to %BF change. With stratification for parental overweight, effects of activity and inactivity on %BF were observed only among girls with at least one overweight parent. Discussion: In this cohort of initially non‐overweight girls, activity and inactivity were related to accrual of BF over adolescence, particularly among children with at least one overweight parent. These results suggest that girls with a family history of overweight represent a target population of high priority for interventions around physical activity and inactivity.     

Ethnic Differences in Physical Activity and Inactivity Patterns and Overweight Status

Objective: To examine the relationship between physical activity and inactivity patterns and overweight in U.S. adolescents using baseline and 1-year change in activity and inactivity data. Research Methods and Procedures: Nationally representative data from 12,759 participants (6997 non-Hispanic whites, 2676 non-Hispanic blacks, 2185 Hispanics, and 901 Asians) in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (1995 and 1996). Data on moderate to vigorous and low-intensity physical activity, TV/video viewing, and video game/computer use were obtained from questionnaires. Multivariate models assessed the association of overweight (body mass index ≥ 95th percentile Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Center for Health Statistics 2000 curves) with initial (and 1-year change) activity and inactivity levels, controlling for age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, urban residence, cigarette smoking, and region of residence. Results: Overweight prevalence was positively associated with high level TV/video viewing among white boys (odds ratio [OR] = 1.52; 95% confidence interval [1.08 to 2.14]) and girls (OR = 2.45 [1.51 to 3.97]). The odds of overweight decreased with high levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity among white boys (OR = 0.81 [0.76 to 0.87]), non-Hispanic black boys (OR = 0.86 [0.76 to 0.98]) and girls (OR = 0.88 [0.78 to 0.99]), and Hispanic boys (OR = 0.90 [0.83 to 0.97]) and girls (OR = 0.91 [0.84 to 0.99]). Discussion: Predicted probabilities generated from the logistic regression models, which examined the experimental effects of altering hours of TV/video viewing and bouts of moderate to vigorous physical activity, show lower overweight among adolescents who watched less TV per week combined with frequent moderate to vigorous physical activity than those who watched more TV per week combined with fewer bouts of weekly moderate to vigorous physical activity. Predicted probabilities suggest important sex and ethnic differences in these associations.     

Relationship of Physical Fitness to Prevalence and Incidence of Overweight among Schoolchildren

Objectives: We examined the relationship between comprehensive fitness tests and overweight using a school surveillance system in a racially diverse city in the United States. Research Methods and Procedures: Trained physical education teachers measured weight, height, and fitness annually from 2001 to 2003. We compiled data for a cross‐sectional analysis (11, 845 measurements on 6297 students, 5 to14 years of age) and a 1‐year prospective analysis (4215 measurements on 2927 students not overweight at baseline, 5 to 13 years of age). Overweight was defined as a BMI ≥95th percentile (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2000 growth charts), and underfit was defined as failing at least one of five fitness tests: endurance run, abdominal strength, flexibility, upper body strength, and agility (Amateur Athletic Union and Fitnessgram). Associations between fitness and overweight were examined using multivariate logistic regression models, adjusting for sociodemographic status and repeated measurements over time. Results: The mean number of fitness tests passed was lower among students with a BMI above the 80th percentile. Overweight incidence over 1 year was 7% and 2% for underfit and fit girls, respectively (odds ratio, 3.3; 95% confidence interval, 2.0 to 5.6). Not passing either the endurance run or upper body strength test was associated with overweight incidence in both boys and girls. After adjusting for baseline BMI, the endurance run remained a significant predictor of incident overweight among girls (odds ratio, 2.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 3.5). Discussion: Findings support a cross‐sectional inverse relationship between physical fitness and overweight among school‐aged children. The direction of causation between fitness and overweight is not clearly established and merits further study.     

Family Dinner and Adolescent Overweight

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine both cross‐sectional and longitudinal associations between frequency of family dinner and overweight status in a large sample of 9‐ to 14‐year‐old children. Research Methods and Procedures: We studied a cohort of 7784 girls and 6647 boys, 9 to 14 years of age at baseline in 1996, participating in the Growing Up Today Study. From annual mailed surveys, we calculated BMI from self‐reported height and weight and assessed frequency of family dinner over the previous year. We defined “overweight” as age‐ and sex‐specific BMI >85th percentile. We performed multiple logistic regression analyses; the longitudinal analyses assessed the association of previous year family dinner consumption with 1‐year incidence of becoming overweight, using prospective data from 1996 through 1999. Results: At baseline in 1996, 16% of participants had family dinner “never or some days,” 40% on “most days,” and 44% “every day.” Across these categories, overweight prevalence for girls was 19.4%, 16.6%, and 16.7% and for boys was 24.6%, 23.3%, and 22.7%, respectively. In cross‐sectional analyses, adjusting for potential confounders, the odds of being overweight was 0.85 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.76, 0.96] among children who ate family dinner on “most days” or “every day” compared with those who ate family dinner “never or some days.” In longitudinal multivariate models, the odds ratios between previous year frequency of eating family dinner and 1‐year incidence of becoming overweight were 0.95 (95% CI: 0.78, 1.16) and 1.04 (95% CI: 0.85, 1.27) for children who ate family dinner on “most days” and “every day,” respectively, compared with those who ate family dinner “never or some days.” Discussion: The frequency of eating family dinner was inversely associated with overweight prevalence at baseline but not with likelihood of becoming overweight in longitudinal analyses.     

The association between an objective measure of physical activity and weight status in preschoolers

Objective: Our objective was to determine the association between physical activity and BMI among racially diverse low‐income preschoolers. Research Methods and Procedures: This was a cross‐sectional study of 2‐ to 5‐year‐olds (n = 56) enrolled in Massachusetts Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants & Children (WIC). Physical activity was measured for 7 consecutive days with an accelerometer. Height and weight were obtained from WIC records, and BMI‐for‐age percentiles were calculated based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) 2000 Growth Charts. At‐risk‐for‐overweight (BMI‐for‐age of ≥85th to <95th percentile) and overweight (BMI‐for‐age ≥95th percentile) groups were combined and referred to as overweight. Final analysis inclusion criteria were: completion of 4.5 days of activity assessment and anthropometric data obtained within 90 and 120 days of the activity assessment for children ages 24 to 35.99 and 36 to 59.99 months, respectively. Results: Overweight children had significantly lower mean daily very vigorous minutes (VVM) (2.6 mins vs. 4.6 mins, p < 0.05) and lower very active minutes (VAM) [i.e., sum of vigorous minutes (VM) and VVM] per day (22.9 mins vs. 32.1 mins, p < 0.05) than children who were not overweight. Daily VVM [odds ratio (OR) = 0.68; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.49 to 0.96], VM (OR = 0.94; CI, 0.88 to 1.00), and VAM (OR = 0.94; 95% CI, 0.89 to 1.00) were all associated with significantly lower odds of being overweight. Discussion: This study suggests that, in a diverse group of preschoolers, vigorous and very vigorous activity are associated with lower odds of overweight. However, these findings require corroboration in a diverse sample of preschoolers using a longitudinal design.     

Patterns of Overweight,Inactivity, and Snacking in Chinese Children

Objective: To examine patterns of inactivity and snacking and their relationship with overweight status in Chinese children. Research Methods and Procedures: The study population was drawn from the 1997 China Health National Survey (1385 children, ages 6 to 11 years), conducted with a representative sample from nine provinces. The 2000 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention BMI charts were used to calculate “at risk of overweight” as those above the 85th percentile. Three days of 24‐hour recall dietary data and detailed questions on physical activity and inactivity for the previous 7 days were used. Results: 9.4% of the children were classified as overweight. Weekly mean and range of hours spent watching television/videos, playing video games, studying, and in inactive transport were 5.1 (0 to 35), 0.3 (0 to 10), 4.7 (0 to 60), and 0.14 (0 to 4.2), respectively. Television/video viewing and studying did not differ in any meaningful manner between overweight and normal weight children. Snacking is inconsequential in China, comprising only 0.9% of energy intake. Discussion: Chinese children are less overweight, less inactive, and less likely to ingest calories as snacks than children in the U.S. The absence of impact of these measures of inactivity, which are below an hour per day for the average Chinese child, indicate the possible value of limiting television viewing and other types of inactivity in other countries. Modern Western‐style television programming and advertising started to come to China after 1997; therefore, extensive changes in television viewing patterns are expected to emerge.     

Obesity and physical activity among Aboriginal Canadians

Objective: To investigate ethnic differences in obesity and physical activity among Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal Canadians. Methods and Procedures: The sample included 24,279 Canadians (1,176 Aboriginals, 23,103 non‐Aboriginals) aged 2–64 years from the 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS). Adult participants were classified as underweight/normal weight, overweight (BMI 25–29.9 kg/m²) or obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²). Children and youth 2–17 years of age were classified as normal weight, overweight or obese based on the International Obesity Task Force criteria. Leisure‐time physical activity levels over the previous 3 months were obtained by questionnaire in those aged 12–64 years. Results: The prevalence of obesity in adults was 22.9% (men: 22.9%; women: 22.9%), and the prevalence was higher among Aboriginals (37.8%) compared to non‐Aboriginals (22.6%). The prevalence of obesity in children and youth was 8.2% (boys: 9.2%; girls: 7.2%), and the prevalence was higher among Aboriginals (15.8%) compared to non‐Aboriginals (8.0%). In both youth and adults, the odds for obesity were higher among Aboriginals (youth: OR = 2.3 (95% CI: 1.4–3.8); adults: OR = 2.4 (95% CI: 1.6–3.6)) after adjustment for a number of covariates. There were no ethnic differences in the prevalence of physical inactivity; however, physical inactivity was a predictor of obesity in both the Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal samples. Discussion: The prevalence of obesity is higher among Canadian Aboriginals compared to the rest of the population. Further research is required to better delineate the determinants of obesity and the associated health consequences in this population.     

Development of Overweight Associated with Childbearing Depends on Smoking Habit: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study

Objective: To prospectively evaluate whether childbearing leads to development of overweight in women and to evaluate the role of other known risk factors. Research Methods and Procedures: A prospective, multicenter observational study, the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study from 1986 to 1996, examined subjects at baseline and in follow‐up years 2, 5, 7, and 10. Included were 998 (328 black and 670 white) nulliparous women, age 18‐30 years, who were not overweight at baseline. Relative odds for incident overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²) associated with parity change (0, 1, or 2+) and risk factors were estimated using discrete‐time survival models adjusted for baseline and time‐dependent covariates. Results: Parity change‐association with development of overweight depended on smoking habit (interaction, p < 0.001). In multivariate adjusted models, 1 and 2+ births vs. 0, respectively, were associated with increased risk for development of overweight among never smokers [odds ratio (OR) = 2.66; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.80, 3.93, and 2.10, 95% CI: 1.24, 3.56] and decreased risk among current smokers (OR = 0.41; 95% CI: 0.17, 0.96, and 0.36, 95% CI: 0.08, 1.65). Risk was increased for black vs. white race (OR = 3.49; 95% CI: 2.59, 4.69), frequent weight cycling (OR = 1.45; 95% CI: 1.03, 2.04), and high school education or less (OR = 2.21; 95% CI: 1.50, 3.26) and was decreased for highest physical activity quartile (OR = 0.62; 95% CI: 0.43, 0.90). Discussion: Childbearing contributes to development of overweight in nonsmokers but not in smokers, where development of overweight is less likely in women who bear children. Race, education, and behaviors are important factors in development of overweight in young women.     

Soda consumption and overweight status of 2-year-old mexican-american children in california

Objective: The prevalence of overweight in United States children, 2 to 5 years old, has increased 2‐fold since 1975, with the highest prevalence in Mexican Americans. The objective of this study was to determine the association between current soda consumption and overweight in 2‐year‐old Mexican‐American children. Research Methods and Procedures: The Center for the Health Assessment of Mothers and Children of Salinas study is a longitudinal study of the health of low‐income Latino pregnant women and their children living in the Salinas Valley, CA. Six hundred pregnant women were enrolled (October 1999 to October 2000), and their children were followed until 2 years of age. This cross‐sectional analysis includes the 354 children who completed the 2‐year follow‐up interview. Standing height (centimeters) and weight (grams) were measured at 2 years. Overweight was defined as ≥95th percentile of the sex‐specific BMI for each child's age. Results: Fifty‐five (15.5%) children were overweight. Over half (56%) reported consuming any soda in the last week. After covariate adjustment, compared with no soda consumption, <1 soda/d was not related to overweight (adjusted odds ratio, 0.97; 95% confidence interval, 0.47, 1.99), but ≥1 soda/d was significantly associated with overweight (adjusted odds ratio, 3.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.43, 8.07), and the test for trend was significant (p = 0.02). Discussion: At 2 years of age, the prevalence of overweight among the Center for the Health Assessment of Mothers and Children of Salinas cohort is higher than the national prevalence estimate for Mexican‐American 2‐ to 5‐year‐old children and is significantly associated with current soda consumption. Interventions to reduce consumption of soda in young Mexican‐American children should be considered.     

Overweight,Waist Circumference,Age, Gender,and Insulin Resistance as Risk Factors for Hyperleptinemia

Objective: To evaluate the influence of overweight, waist circumference, age, gender, and insulin resistance as risk factors for hyperleptinemia. Research Methods and Procedures: A cross‐sectional study was carried out in a population of 197 subjects: 59 men (21 aged <60 years and 38 aged ≥60 years) and 138 women (37 aged <60 years and 101 aged ≥60 years). The groups were stratified by overweight and normal weight. After a 12‐hour fasting period, we measured serum leptin and insulin levels with radioimmunoassay methods. We also measured serum glucose and lipid profile. The data were analyzed by means of comparative tests. A variance‐stabilizing transformation (natural logarithmic) was used to meet multiple linear regression, analysis of covariance, and logistic regression models. Results: The leptin serum levels were higher and statistically significant in young and older women than they were in men. We observed an interaction between gender and body mass index to explain the difference in leptin levels (p < 0.0001). Our study demonstrated an inverse relationship between leptin with age and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol. In logistic regression analysis, the overweight × gender interaction and waist circumference have a statistically significant influence as independent variables on hyperleptinemia (overweight × gender odds ratio = 6.81; 95% confidence interval, 1.10 to 46.86; p < 0.05 and waist circumference odds ratio = 4.34; 95% confidence interval, 1.47 to 12.83; p = 0.001). Discussion: Women who were overweight or had a higher waist circumference (women ≥ 88 cm and men ≥ 102 cm) have a significantly higher risk of having hyperleptinemia. The increase in age as an isolated variable is not a risk factor for hyperleptinemia.     

Overweight Children's Barriers to and Support for Physical Activity

Objective: As the epidemic of overweight increases among youth, research needs to examine factors that may influence children's participation in weight‐related health behaviors. This study examined overweight children's perceived barriers to and support for physical activity compared with nonoverweight children. Research Methods and Procedures: Barriers to and support for physical activity were examined among 84 overweight children attending a summer fitness camp or a university‐based weight loss clinic. Barriers and support levels were then compared with those of 80 nonoverweight children of a similar age range. Results: Body‐related barriers were the most predominant barrier type among overweight youth, especially among overweight girls. Overweight children, particularly girls, reported significantly higher body‐related, resource, and social barriers to physical activity compared with nonoverweight children and lower levels of adult support for physical activity. Discussion: Overweight children may be particularly vulnerable to body‐related barriers to physical activity, and reducing such barriers may serve as physical activity intervention points most relevant for overweight youth. Future interventions may also benefit from enhancing support for physical activity from adults and peers.     

Body‐Image Perceptions among Urban Native American Youth

Objective: This study investigated body‐image perceptions among Native American youth. Research Methods and Procedures: A modified and validated body‐image measure for use with Native American youth was utilized in a cross‐sectional assessment of 155 urban Native American youth attending an after‐school program in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The youth (ages 5 to 18 years) expressed their perceptions of current and ideal body image, which allowed assessment of satisfaction or dissatisfaction. Body sizes perceived as healthy or most likely to develop diabetes were also communicated. Heights and weights were measured, and body mass index was calculated. Results: When asked to identify their ideal body figure, younger children selected thinner figures than adolescents, and overweight youth chose ideal figures similar to those of normal‐weight youth. The mean body dissatisfaction of the youth was ±0.99 and ±1.49 body figures for boys and girls, respectively. Examination of the direction of body dissatisfaction revealed that 41% of the boys and 61% of the girls expressed a desire to be thinner. Those expressing the greatest dissatisfaction were overweight girls (>95th percentile). On a scale from one to eight, the median of the body image viewed as the healthiest was 4.0, whereas that most likely to develop diabetes was 8.0. Discussion: These results suggest that urban Native American youth are dissatisfied with their body size and that most acknowledge the diabetes risk associated with overweight, which implies that they may be receptive to obesity prevention measures.     

Youths' perceptions of overweight-related prevention counseling at a primary care visit

Objective: We examined youths’ report of receiving specific overweight‐related preventive counseling and perceived readiness to adopt nutrition and physical activity behaviors recommended by their clinicians. Research Methods and Procedures: We surveyed 324 youth 10 to 18 years old who had a physical exam within the past year. The survey included questions on height, weight, race/ethnicity, mother's education, and topics they discussed with their clinician during their visit. We used multivariable analyses to examine whether weight status and sociodemographic characteristics were predictors of which youth received counseling from their clinicians and which youth were ready to change. Results: The mean (standard deviation) age of participants was 13.7 (1.8) years; 54% were black, and 22% were Hispanic. Less than one‐half of participants reported discussing sugar‐sweetened beverages [38%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 32% to 43%] or television viewing (41%; 95% CI, 36% to 47%) with their clinicians. In multivariable analyses adjusting for participant's age, sex, race/ethnicity, overweight status, and mother's educational attainment, youth whose mothers lacked education beyond high school were significantly less likely to report receiving counseling on any overweight‐specific topic including television viewing [odds ratio (OR), 0.46; 95% CI, 0.27, 0.79], sugar‐sweetened beverage (OR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.28, 0.80), and fast food consumption (OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.32, 0.92). In addition, youth 10 to 14 years old were more likely than those 15 to 18 years old to report they would try to change their television viewing (OR, 4.10; 95% CI, 1.78, 9.44) if recommended by their clinician. Discussion: Youth report infrequently receiving counseling on specific overweight prevention topics during routine primary care visits. Our findings suggest that greater efforts may be needed to reduce social class disparities in overweight prevention counseling and that counseling to prevent overweight in youth may be more acceptable to younger children.     

Cardiorespiratory Fitness and the Risk of Overweight in Youth: The Healthy Hearts Longitudinal Study of Cardiometabolic Health

The primary objective of this longitudinal study was to determine the association between cardiorespiratory fitness and the risk of overweight status in youth. To accomplish this aim we analyzed data from annual school‐based surveys of cardiorespiratory fitness and anthropometry conducted between 2004 and 2006. The first analysis was performed on a cohort of 902 youth aged 6–15 years followed for 12 months to assess the association between cardiorespiratory fitness levels determined from a graded maximal field test and the risk of becoming overweight. The second analysis was conducted on a cohort of 222 youth followed for 2 years to assess the continuous association between annual changes fitness and weight gain. Children with low cardiorespiratory fitness were characterized by higher waist circumference and disproportionate weight gain over the 12‐month follow‐up period (P < 0.05). Within the entire cohort, the 12‐month risk of overweight classification was 3.5‐fold (95% confidence = 2.0–6.0, P < 0.001) higher in youth with low cardiorespiratory fitness, relative to fit peers. A time series mixed effects regression model revealed that reductions in cardiorespiratory fitness were significantly and independently associated with increasing BMI (r = ?0.18, P < 0.05) in youth. Accordingly, low cardiorespiratory fitness and reductions in fitness over time are significantly associated with weight gain and the risk of overweight in children 6–15 years old. An assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness using a common field test may prove useful for the identification of youth at risk of overweight and serve as a potential target for obesity prevention.     

The Road to Obesity or the Path to Prevention: Motorized Transportation and Obesity in China

Objective: Dependence on motorized forms of transportation may contribute to the worldwide obesity epidemic. Shifts in transportation patterns occurring in China provide an ideal opportunity to study the association between vehicle ownership and obesity. Our objective was to determine whether motorized forms of transportation promote obesity. Research Methods and Procedures: A multistage random‐cluster sampling process was used to select households from eight provinces in China. Data were included on household vehicle ownership and individual anthropometric and sociodemographic status. Cross‐sectional data (1997) from 4741 Chinese adults aged 20 to 55 years were used to explore the association between vehicle ownership and obesity. Cohort data (1989 to 1997) from 2485 adults aged 20 to 45 years in 1989 (59% follow‐up) were used to measure the impact of vehicle acquisition on the odds of becoming obese. Results: Our main outcome measure was current obesity status and the odds of becoming obese over an 8‐year period. In 1997, 84% of adults did not own motorized transportation. However, the odds of being obese were 80% higher (p < 0.05) for men and women in households who owned a motorized vehicle compared with those who did not own a vehicle. Fourteen percent of households acquired a motorized vehicle between 1989 and 1997. Compared with those whose vehicle ownership did not change, men who acquired a vehicle experienced a 1.8‐kg greater weight gain (p < 0.05) and had 2 to 1 odds of becoming obese. Discussion: Encouraging active forms of transportation may be one way to protect against obesity.     

Factors affecting prevalence of overweight among 12- to 17-year-old urban adolescents in Hyderabad, India

Objective: The problem of overweight and obesity is not confined only to developed countries but is also widely prevalent in developing countries. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity as defined by the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) among school‐age children in Hyderabad, India, and identify its associated factors. Research Methods and Procedures: A cross‐sectional and institutional study, adopting a multistage stratified cluster sampling procedure, was carried out during 2003 on adolescents 12 to 17 years of age of both sexes from Hyderabad, India. Results: The overall prevalence of overweight was 6.1% [95% confidence interval (CI): 4.2, 8.0] among boys and 8.2% among girls (CI: 6.0, 10.4); 1.6% and 1.0% were obese, respectively. The prevalence was significantly higher (p < 0.05) among adolescents who watched television ≥3 h/d (10.4%) or belonged to a high socioeconomic background (14.9%, p < 0.001), whereas it was significantly lower among those participating regularly in outdoor games ≥6 h/wk (3.1%, p < 0.004) and household activities ≥3 h/d (4.7%, p < 0.001). The logistic regression analysis revealed that the prevalence of overweight was 4 times higher among the adolescents of high socioeconomic status [odds ratio (OR): 4.1; CI: 2.25, 7.52], 3 times higher in those not participating in outdoor games (OR: 2.75; CI: 1.56, 4.72), and 1.92 times higher in those watching television ≥3 h/d (OR: 1.92; CI: 1.16, 3.18). Discussion: This study confirmed the findings of earlier studies carried out in Western countries and emphasizes that regular physical exercise, doing household activities, regulated television viewing, and healthy eating behaviors could contribute to controlling overweight and obesity.     

Positive Maternal Attitude to the Family Eating Together Decreases the Risk of Adolescent Overweight

Objectives: To determine whether maternal attitude towards the family regularly eating together and maternal report of how often the family eat together are associated with adolescent offspring overweight. Research Methods and Procedures: A cross‐sectional mother‐child‐linked analysis was carried out using 14‐year follow‐up data from a population‐based prospective birth cohort of 3795 children (52% males) who were participants in the Mater‐University study of pregnancy, Brisbane, Australia. Maternal reports on family eating pattern reported at age 14 were used. Results: The prevalence of overweight at age 14 was 24.1% (95% confidence interval (CI), 22.3, 26.1) for males and 27.1% (CI, 25.1, 29.2) for females. The majority of mothers (78%) reported that the family ate together at least once a day, but only 43% reported that they felt that family eating together was important. The offspring of women who felt that the family eating together was not important had increased odds of being overweight at age 14 (odds ratio, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.05, 1.53) in age‐ and sex‐adjusted models. Adjustment for potential confounding factors had no substantive effect on the association. There was no association between maternal reports of how often the family actually did eat together and overweight at age 14 in the offspring. Discussion: These findings suggest that maternal attitude towards family eating patterns, but not maternal report of how often the family do eat together, are associated with childhood overweight status. Maternal attitude towards family eating (as opposed to a report of actual frequency at one time‐point) may reflect broader maternal influences (beyond family eating pattern) on their child's diet and eating patterns over a long time course.     

Genetic Diversity of Bacillus cereus/B. thuringiensis Isolates from Natural Sources

The genetic diversity and relationships among 154 Bacillus cereus/B. thuringiensis isolates recovered from soil samples from five geographic areas in Norway were investigated with multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MEE). Cluster analysis revealed two major groups (designated cluster I and cluster II) separated at genetic distance greater than 0.55. Cluster I included 62 electrophoretic types (ETs) originating from all five locations, whereas, in cluster II, all but one isolate were from the same location. The isolates were also serotyped with B. thuringiensis flagellar antisera, and 28 distinct serotypes were identified. In general, serotyping did not show correlation to the genetic diversity of the isolates. The presence of IS231- and IS240-like transposable elements was detected in 14% of the strains of cluster II only. Parasporal crystals were observed in three strains; ten other strains were toxic to Trichoplusia ni. We conclude that B. cereus/B. thuringiensis from soil exhibit a high degree of recombination. Received: 15 December 1997 / Accepted: 26 January 1998     

High childhood obesity in an Australian population

Objective: The objective was to determine the prevalences of overweight and obesity in regional Australian children and to examine the association between BMI and indicators of socioeconomic status (SES). Research Methods and Procedures: Regionally representative cross‐sectional survey of 2184 children, 4 to 12 years of age, was conducted, and the socio‐demographic characteristics of their parents from regional Victoria, Australia, 2003 to 2004, were obtained. Results: The prevalences of overweight and obesity were 19.3 ± 0.8% (proportion ± standard error) and 7.6 ± 0.6%, respectively, using international criteria, and the proportion of overweight/obese girls was significantly higher than that of boys (29.6 ± 1.4% vs. 23.9 ± 1.3%, χ² = 9.01, p = 0.003). Children from households of lower SES had higher odds of being overweight/obese; lower SES was defined by lower paternal education (adjusted odds ratio, 1.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.08 to 1.30) and lower area‐level SES (adjusted odds ratio, 1.13; 95% confidence interval, 1.02 to 1.25), adjusted for age, gender, height, and clustering by school. Discussion: The prevalences of overweight and obesity are increasing in Australian children by about one percentage point per year. This equates to ～40,000 more overweight children each year, placing Australian children among those at highest risk around the world. In addition, girls are more likely to be overweight, and there is a general trend for children of lower SES to be at even greater risk of overweight and obesity.