Prevalence and risk factors of overweight and obesity in China

Objective: To examine the prevalence and risk factors of overweight and obesity in China. Research Methods and Procedures: A cross‐sectional survey was conducted in a nationally representative sample of 15,540 Chinese adults in 2000–2001. Body weight, height, and waist circumference were measured by trained observers. Overweight and obesity were defined according to the World Health Organization classification. Central obesity was defined according to guidelines of the International Diabetes Federation. Results: Mean BMI and waist circumference were 23.1 kg/m² and 79.6 cm, respectively, for men and 23.5 kg/m² and 77.2 cm, respectively, for women. The prevalences of overweight and obesity were 24.1% and 2.8% in men and 26.1% and 5.0% in women, respectively. The prevalence of central obesity was 16.1% in men and 37.6% in women. The prevalences of overweight, obesity, and central obesity were higher among residents in northern China compared with their counterparts in southern China and among those in urban areas compared with those in rural areas. Lifestyle factors were the most important risk factors to explain the differences in overweight and central obesity between northern and southern residents. Among women, lifestyle and diet were the most important risk factors to explain the differences between urban and rural residents, whereas socioeconomic status, lifestyle, and diet were all important among men. Discussion: Our study indicates that overweight and obesity have become important public health problems in China. Environmental risk factors may be the main reason for regional differences in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in China.     

Study of somatotype in Italian children aged 6 to 10 years

The aim of the present research was to study the variations of somatotype, calculated by the Heath-Carter anthropometric technique, during growth in a sample of children (416 males and 402 females), aged 6 and 10 years, attending primary and secondary schools of L'Aquila and its province (Abruzzo, Italy). The sample was subdivided into “urban” and “non-urban” groups, on the basis of the residence of the children, to examine possible differences in growth related to the different environments. This study give an account of the somatotype components between urban and non urban childreen between the age 6 and 10 years. A tendency toward an increase of endomorphy (adipose component) with age was noticed in both sexes. In females, ectomorphy (component of physical linearity) tended to increase and mesomorphy (muscular-skeletal component) showed a slight decrease during growth, while males exhibited a discontinuous trend. The differences between urban and non-urban children were not significant, although generally higher values of endomorphy and mesomorphy were found in males and females of the urban sample. The differences between the sexes consisted of higher values of endomorphy and lower values of mesomorphy in females. Ectomorphy was similar in the two sexes.     

Somatotype in 6-11-year-old Italian and Estonian schoolchildren

The study of somatotypes can contribute to the understanding of variability in human body build. The aim of this study was to compare the somatotypes of Italian and Estonian schoolchildren in order to evaluate factors that might lead to variability in somatotypes. The sample consisted of 762 Italian and 366 Estonian children aged 6-11 years. They were somatotyped by the Heath-Carter anthropometric method. Data on organised extra-curricular physical activity and hours of weekly training were also collected. One-way ANOVA was used to evaluate country-related variations of somatotype in each age/sex group, while factorial ANOVA was used to test the influence of country and organised physical activity on the variability of the anthropometric characteristics and somatotype components.There are significant differences in mean somatotypes between the Italian and Estonian children in many age classes and a different constitutional trend in children from the two different countries is observed. The Italian children are more endomorphic and less mesomorphic and ectomorphic than the Estonian children. On the other hand, it emerges from factorial ANOVA, that the somatotype components do not present significant variations related to organised physical activity and to the interaction between the country of origin and sport practice. Moreover, the results of the forward stepwise discriminant analyses show that mesomorphy is the best discriminator between the two countries, followed by ectomorphy.Our findings suggest that the observed differences between Italian and Estonian children could be related mainly to country rather than to the practice of organised physical activity in the two countries.     

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.     

The relationships between serum copper levels and overweight/total obesity and central obesity in children and adolescents aged 6-18 years

ObjectiveTo explore the relationships between serum copper levels and overweight/total obesity and central obesity in children and adolescents.MethodsWe included 2,000 children and adolescents from the 2011-2016 US National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. The multivariable linear model, logistic model and restricted cubic splines were adopted to assess the relationships. Models were adjusted for data release cycle, age, sex, race/ethnicity, ratio of family income to poverty, and dietary intakes of protein, total sugars, total fat, fiber, energy, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin C, and hours watch television or videos.ResultsThe prevalences of overweight/total obesity and central obesity were 37.38% and 33.40%, respectively. For per-quintile increment in serum copper levels, body mass index increased by 1.06 (0.79-1.33) (kg/m²) and waist circumference increased by 2.43 (1.58-3.27) (cm). The odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for overweight/total obesity and central obesity among participants with the highest quintile compared with those with the lowest quintile of serum copper levels were 5.46 (3.31-8.98) and 5.64 (3.31-9.58), respectively. The above-mentioned associations were not modified by age (children: 6-12 years, adolescents: 13-18 years) and sex. Dose-response analysis showed that the odds of overweight/total obesity and central obesity increased with increasing serum copper levels to a level of approximate 140 ug/dL where the association seemed to reach a plateau, respectively.ConclusionsSerum copper levels were positively associated with body mass index and waist circumference, and elevated serum copper levels were associated with higher odds of overweight/total obesity and central obesity in children and adolescents.     

Movement-related brain potentials in 6- to 7-year-old children]

Spatial distribution and component structure of movement-related brain potentials (MRBP) were studied in 6-7-years-old children. The structure of Bereitschaftspotentials was found to be complex and heterogeneous the latency of P200 component being shorter than that in adults. MRBP recorded contained specific for children late negative wave that had been called postaction negativity, or PAN. The amplitudes of almost all MRBP components in children under study was the highest in the frontal areas. The results obtained may reflect neurophysiological changes associated with motor development.     

Prevalence of overweight and obesity among the affluent adolescent school children of Amritsar, Punjab

In the present study, an attempt has been made to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity in adolescent children (between 10-15 years of age) of the affluent families of Amritsar district of Punjab, a state in rapid economic and epidemiological transition. A total of 640 children (323 boys and 317girls) were measured for height and weight. Overweight and obesity were assessed using age and sex-specific body mass index (BMI) cut-off points. 9.91% boys and 11.99% girls were overweight, and 4.95% boys and 6.31% girls were obese. The prevalence of overweight and obesity among the affluent children in Amritsar was as high or higher as in some industrialized countries.     

Prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis among preschool children in Gimhae-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea

The present study was performed to determine the prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis among preschool children in Gimhae-si, Korea. A total of 6,921 preschool children in 76 kindergartens were examined using the cellotape perianal swab method. The overall egg positive rate (EPR) was 10.5%. The EPR in boys was higher than that in girls (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.5, P<0.001), and it was higher in rural than in urban children (AOR: 1.2, P=0.022). The present study confirmed that the prevalence of E. vermicularis infection is fairly high among preschool children in Gimhae-si. Therefore, systematic control and preventive measures should be adopted to reduce morbidity associated with this nematode infection.     

A clinical and neuropsychological analysis of mental functions in 6- to 7-year-old children

The neuropsychological analysis of the state of higher mental functions (HMF) in children aged 6-7-years entering the first class of the school providing general education showed that the HMF of 52-73% of the future schoolchildren are underdeveloped with respect to their age. The underdevelopment of the emotional-volitional sphere, of the dynamic organization of object activity, audio-speech memory, sphere of images-representations, visually-image and verbally-logical forms of thinking has been revealed. The experimental data suggest the absence of the primary (structural) derangements of the studied HMF in the examined children and dependence of the extent of their formation on the extent of readiness of the voluntary organization of activity. Insufficient formation of the HMF with respect to age is manifested in the lag of the formation of the internal structure of the psychic process, i.e., the absence of interiorization of the psychic processes and formation of the internal mental act. The neuropsychological assessment of underdevelopment of the HMF in reference to age suggests an insufficient age-related maturity of subcortical structures and subcortical corticopetal pathways as well as a dysfunction of the frontal neocortex and a secondary dysfunction of the posterofrontal and TPO areas, non-auditory cortical temporal regions of the left hemisphere due to underdevelopment of connections of these areas with the frontal structures.     

Hyperuricemia and metabolic syndrome in children with overweight and obesity

ObjectiveTo study the prevalence of hyperuricemia in children with overweight or obesity and analyze the relation with metabolic syndrome and the diseases that define it.Materials and methodsThis is a cross-sectional prevalence study in 148 children recruited from pediatric endocrinology consultation, with overweight or obesity (12 ± 3 years, 48% boys, BMI 31.8 ± 6.1). We measured BMI, waist-height, waist circumference, blood pressure with standard instrumentation and glucose (fasting and after overload with 75 g), insulin resistance, cholesterol HDL, triglycerides and uric acid.ResultsThe prevalence of hyperuricemia was 53%. Patients with hyperuricemia had greater BMI (33.9 vs 30.6, p = 0.003), plus waist circumference (101.4 vs 91.1 cm, p < 0.001), higher blood pressure: systolic (123.4 vs 111.9 mm Hg, p < 0.001), diastolic (78.2 vs 68.7 mm Hg, p < 0.001). They presented greater blood glucose after overload oral glucose (107.5 vs 100.7 mg/dl, p = 0.03), insulin was higher (29.2 vs 20.7 mg/dl, p = 0.001) as well as HOMA IR (6.5 vs 4.4, p < 0.001) and HDL levels were lower (49.5 vs 54.4 mg/dl, p = 0.02).Uric acid's level which most is the likely diagnosis of metabolic syndrome corresponds to 5.4 mg/dl in our sample (sensitivity: 64% and specificity 62%).ConclusionThe prevalence of hyperuricemia in children with overweight and obesity is high. In the group of patients with obesity and hyperuricemia, we found out that the parameters measured to diagnose with metabolic syndrome were less favorable. Uric acid's level from where there is a higher possibility to see metabolic syndrome is 5.4 mg/dl.     

Prevalence and associated factors of overweight and obesity in a Chinese rural population

Background: Overweight and obesity are now considered as a serious health problem, and a very important risk factor for many diseases. Objective: This study was designed to investigate the epidemiologic features of overweight and obesity among rural adults in China. Method and Procedures: A cross‐sectional survey was conducted during 2004–2005, using a multistage cluster sampling method to select a representative sample in Fuxin county, Liaoning province, China. A total of 29,970 adults, aged ≥35 years, were examined. At baseline, lifestyle and other factors were obtained. Overweight and obesity were defined according to the classification by the World Health Organization. Results: Overall, the prevalence of overweight was 18.6%; 15.1% in men and 22.1% in women. The prevalence of obesity was 1.7%; 1.2% in men and 2.2% in women. Multivariable logistic regression revealed certain risk factors of obesity that included being a women, Mongolian nationality and education status of over junior high school level. Moderate physical activity alone was shown as protective factor. Discussion: Although the prevalence of obesity was low, overweight was relatively high in the Chinese rural population, especially in adult women. Gender, diet, physical activity, education levels, and ethnicity were associated with the prevalence of these health conditions.     

Age-related features of the organization of motor activity in 6- to 16-year-old children

The use of the KID-3 diagnostic set for a large-scale examination of 6- to 16-year-old children helped reveal substantial age-related differences in the mechanisms of the regulation of motor activity on the basis of correlation of the specified parameters: velocity, precision, smoothness, velocity of readjustment of motor tasks, etc. The study confirmed the leading role of visual control in the realization of the motor function in 6- to 9-year olds. The mechanisms of movement regulation, i.e., a transition from a primarily monitoring mechanism of control to one based on a preliminarily formed motor program, is changed substantially by nine–ten years. These changes are possible only at this age, since it is in this period that substantial shifts take place in the morphofunctional development of the frontal cortical areas, and they become more important in the control of the activation processes, which determine and regulate motor activity. The age of nine-ten years is transitional in the formation of the mechanisms of central commands. This efficient movement control mechanism only begins to form at this age, and its formation is completed at age 14.     

Prevalence of overweight and obesity among urban and rural adult females of Punjab

The prevalence of overweight and obesity was assessed during a community based epidemiological survey on a randomized sample of 1700 (900 urban and 800 rural) adult Punjabi females in the age group from 20-45 years. For the assessment of overweight and obesity, height and weight measurements were taken on each subject. The prevalence rate of malnutrition was calculated according to the critical limits of body mass index (BMI). The observations show that the combined overall prevalence rate of overweight/obesity in the present study is 43.88% and 22.26%, respectively, for urban and rural females. The frequency of overweight and obesity is more among urban females than in their rural female counterparts.     

Prevalence of pediculosis and scabies in preschool nursery children of Afyon, Turkey

Scabies and pediculosis are ubiquitous, contagious, and debilitating parasitic dermatoses. The tendency of high prevalence of pediculosis and scabies among school and preschool age children has prompted us to conduct a head louse and scabies prevalence survey among preschool nursery children in our district. A school-based, crosssectional study was performed, with 1,134 children chosen for evaluation. All cases were evaluated by physical examination and a detailed, structured questionnaire. The infestation was found in 14 (1.2%) of 1,134 children; 9 (0.8%) with pediculosis capitis and 5 (0.4%) with scabies. We found that infestations were more frequent in children with mothers whose education levels were low. This indicates the necessity of an improvement in the economic and sociocultural status of the community and the promotion of hygiene concepts and practices in order to improve health of preschool age children.     

Body mass index, prevalence of overweight and obesity in Lithuanian children and adolescents, 1985-2002

The study provides the body mass index (BMI), the prevalence of overweight (OW) and obesity (OB) in Lithuanian children and adolescents, 1985-2002. In the 2000-2002 more than 9000 schoolchildren of 7-18 years old were investigated in the 5 biggest towns and surrounding settlements of Lithuania. These data were compared with the 1985 data. The prevalence of OW and OB was estimated using the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) cut-off points. The prevalence of OW in Lithuanian children and adolescents was higher among younger schoolchildren in comparison with older adolescents. OW was lower among the older girls in comparison with the older boys: 4.60%-11.50%/4.80%0-13.62% in the 7-13 years girls/boys, versus 1.50%-6.60%/3.90%-9.50% in the 14-18 years old girls/boys. The prevalence of OW among younger Lithuanian adolescents did not change significantly in the last 15 years, but it slightly decreased in older boys and demonstrably diminished in older adolescent girls. In generally, the prevalence of OW among Lithuanian adolescents is low in comparison with the prevalence of OW in children from the other countries.     

Recent trends in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Canadian children

Background:Previous studies have shown an increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Canadian children from 23.3% to 34.7% during 1978–2004. We examined the most recent trends by applying current definitions of overweight and obesity based on World Health Organization (WHO) body mass index (BMI) thresholds and recently validated norms for waist circumference and waist:height ratio.Methods:We examined directly measured height and weight data from the Canadian Community Health Survey (2004–2005) and the Canadian Health Measures Survey (2009–2013). We calculated z scores for BMI, height and weight based on the 2014 WHO growth charts for Canada, including the new extension of weight-for-age beyond 10 years. To calculate z scores for waist circumference and waist:height ratios, we used new charts from the reference population in the US NHANES III (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988–1994).Results:Data were available for 14 014 children aged 3–19 years for the period 2004–2013. We observed a decline in the prevalence of overweight or obesity, from 30.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 29.7% to 31.6%) to 27.0% (95% CI 25.3% to 28.7%) (p < 0.001) and stabilization in the prevalence of obesity at about 13%. These trends persisted after we adjusted for age, sex and race/ethnicity. Although they declined, the median z scores for BMI, weight and height were positive and higher than those in the WHO reference population. The z scores for waist circumference and waist:height ratio were negative, which indicated that the Canadian children had less central adiposity than American children in historic or contemporary NHANES cohorts.Interpretation:After a period of dramatic growth, BMI z scores and the prevalence of overweight or obesity among Canadian children decreased from 2004 to 2013, which attests to progress against this important public health challenge.Ongoing pan-Canadian surveys such as the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) and Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) are important to evaluate the health of our population using representative national samples.^1,2 Self-reported heights and weights replaced direct measurement during 1978–2004, which underestimated true rates of overweight and obesity.³ A subsequent comparison of directly measured heights and weights during the same period showed an alarming increase in the prevalence of overweight or obesity among Canadian children aged 2–17 years, from 23.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 20.5% to 26.0%) to 34.7% (95% CI 33.0% to 36.4%) based on the new World Health Organization (WHO) definitions.¹In Canada, the definitions of overweight and obesity changed with the introduction of the 2010 WHO growth charts for Canada.^4,5 Previous definitions were based on body mass index (BMI) percentiles from the 2000 US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) growth charts.⁶ In addition to revising these percentile thresholds, the WHO charts were based on a different reference population; as a result, the proportion of Canadian children classified as overweight or obese increased with the introduction of the new WHO charts.^1,7,8 Moreover, the absolute percentile thresholds now vary by age, with toddlers (2 to ≤ 5 yr) having higher thresholds to define overweight and obesity than older children (age > 5 to 19 yr).⁴Results from the United States have shown a decline in obesity rates among toddlers and a plateau in rates among older children;^9,10 stabilization has also been noted in other jurisdictions (e.g., Germany and Australia).^11–16 We undertook this study to determine the most recent trends in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Canadian children using the current WHO weight charts for Canada applied to a representative sample of children.