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Childhood Obesity Prevention: A Global Public Health Issue
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Childhood Obesity Prevention: A Global Public Health Issue

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Children's Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2023) | Viewed by 20382

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Katarzyna Dereń

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Guest Editor
Institute of Health Sciences, Medical College of Rzeszów University, Rzeszów, Poland
Interests: nutrition; epidemiology; obesity; diet; children
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Justyna Wyszyńska

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Associate Professor, Institute of Health Sciences, Medical College of Rzeszów University, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland
Interests: accelerometry; body composition; hypertension; obesity; physical activity; risk factors; sleep
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Obesity is increasing worldwide, affecting children and adults. Obesity is the result of a long-term imbalance between the amount of energy supplied and its expenditure. The body's energy regulation is subject to both genetic and environmental factors. Prenatal and postnatal environmental factors may overlap with the genetic risk pattern. Obesity also contributes to an increased risk of metabolic and cardiovascular complications that arise already in childhood. The epidemic of civilization diseases, including obesity, is currently one of the greatest problems of modern medicine. In the development of obesity, special attention is paid to the pre-school period, which is considered a period of risk for the development and persistence of obesity into adulthood, which often develops chronic diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular diseases. Potential topics include but are not limited to childhood obesity, obesity prevention, prevention programs, diet, physical activity, and obesity risk factors.

Dr. Katarzyna Dereń
Dr. Justyna Wyszyńska 
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • obesity
  • children
  • prevention
  • epidemiology

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 386 KiB  
Article
Changes in Sedentary Time and Implicit Preference for Sedentary Behaviors in Response to a One-Month Educational Intervention in Primary School Children: Results from the Globe Trotter Pilot Cluster-Randomized Study
by Alicia Fillon, Nicole Fearnbach, Stéphanie Vieira, Jade Gélinier, Sarah Bagot, Mélina Bailly, Audrey Boscaro, Léna Pélissier, Julie Siroux, Vincent Grasteau, Jean Bertsch, Bruno Pereira, Martine Duclos, Céline Lambert and David Thivel
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(2), 1089; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021089 - 7 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2214
Abstract
School-based multi-component educational interventions have been encouraged to improve children’s movement behaviors. The present study evaluates the effect of the Globe Trotter Initiative on physical activity (PA) level, sedentary time, physical fitness and activity preferences in primary school children. A total of 361 [...] Read more.
School-based multi-component educational interventions have been encouraged to improve children’s movement behaviors. The present study evaluates the effect of the Globe Trotter Initiative on physical activity (PA) level, sedentary time, physical fitness and activity preferences in primary school children. A total of 361 children (9–10 years) participated in this cluster-randomized trial. Nine schools were randomized as control (CON, 121 children) or Globe Trotter schools (GT, 240 children). Physical fitness, body composition, anthropometric characteristics, PA level, sedentary behaviors, physical self-perception, and activity preferences were evaluated at baseline (T0) and after the one-month intervention (T1). Grip strength performance and overall completion time of the obstacle course show a significant time effect (p < 0.001) in both groups (no group effect). PA level and physical self-perception did not significantly show time nor group effects. The sedentary behavior score displays a significant “time × group” interaction effect (p = 0.04) with a significant reduction between T0 and T1 in the GT group only (p < 0.001). The explicit liking for sedentary activities shows a significant “time × group” interaction (p = 0.02) with a significant decrease between T0 and T1 in the GT group only (p < 0.001). The explicit wanting for sedentary activities show a significant “time × group” interaction (p = 0.02) with a significant decrease between T0 and T1 in the GT group only (p < 0.001). The short-term, multi-component, behavioral, educational GT intervention had beneficial effects on primary-school-aged children’s sedentary time and implicit preference for physical over sedentary activities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Childhood Obesity Prevention: A Global Public Health Issue)
18 pages, 1451 KiB  
Article
Effects of 12-Month Interdisciplinary Interventions in 8- and 9-Year-Old Children with Excess Body Weight
by Dominika Raducha, Joanna Ratajczak, Tomasz Jackowski, Anita Horodnicka-Józwa, Justyna Szmit-Domagalska, Mieczysław Walczak and Elżbieta Petriczko
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 15899; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192315899 - 29 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1497
Abstract
Childhood obesity remains one of the most serious medical challenges of the 21st century. The aim of the study was to obtain epidemiological data on the prevalence of overweight and obesity among 8- and 9-year-old children in Szczecin, and to evaluate the effectiveness [...] Read more.
Childhood obesity remains one of the most serious medical challenges of the 21st century. The aim of the study was to obtain epidemiological data on the prevalence of overweight and obesity among 8- and 9-year-old children in Szczecin, and to evaluate the effectiveness of medical intervention in the form of a year of interdisciplinary work with children with excess body weight. The study consisted of two main stages: I—screening, II—intervention. The program was implemented for three consecutive years, starting in 2016–2018. The entire population of 8–9-year-olds in Szczecin is 11,494 children. In the screening part of the study, 4890 children took part, whose parent agreed to participate (42.54%). In the intervention part of the study, we analyzed a group of 515 children. Children were further divided into subgroups according to the number of visits completed. Anthropometric parameters were measured on each visit. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in the screened population was 16.9% and 6.4%, respectively. Statistically significant changes were observed in BMI (Body Mass Index) percentiles and BMI z-scores, as well as WHR (Waist-Hip Ratio) during the one year observation time. The best effects were achieved by the 3rd visit (for the first 6 months of the program). Thereafter, the effects diminished due to the longer interval between the 3rd and 4th visits (6 months). There is the need for long-term programs for the prevention of excessive body weight in children and adolescents with frequent checkpoints. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Childhood Obesity Prevention: A Global Public Health Issue)
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9 pages, 464 KiB  
Article
Preterm Birth and the Type of Birth and Their Impact on the Incidence of Overweight and Obesity in Children
by Joanna Baran, Aneta Weres, Rafał Baran, Ewelina Czenczek-Lewandowska, Justyna Leszczak and Justyna Wyszyńska
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 12042; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912042 - 23 Sep 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1592
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the influence of the type of birth and preterm birth on the risk of overweight and obesity in the children studied. The study involved 749 children of pre-school and school age, between 4 and 15 [...] Read more.
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the influence of the type of birth and preterm birth on the risk of overweight and obesity in the children studied. The study involved 749 children of pre-school and school age, between 4 and 15 years of age. Information about the type of delivery and the potential preterm birth came from the child’s health book and the mother’s pregnancy card. The authors assessed the body height and body weight of each child. The analysis showed that on average every six children were born before due date (before the end of 37 weeks of gestation) and slightly more than 40% of the children were born by cesarean section (CS). A statistical analysis was performed, including descriptive statistics and Spearman’s correlation, and to evaluate the differences in the analyzed groups, nonparametric tests and chi-square independence tests were used: the Mann-Whitney test, and the Kruskal-Wallis test due to the lack of a normalized distribution. The incidence of overweight and obesity was higher in 7–11-year-old boys born with CS vs. vaginal birth (VD) (p = 0.026). There were no statistically significant differences between BMI centile value and preterm birth. Cesarean section birth significantly increases the percentage of boys with overweight and obesity in early school age and may be associated with higher percentile values of children with BMI in this age group. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Childhood Obesity Prevention: A Global Public Health Issue)
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20 pages, 416 KiB  
Article
Impact of One-Year Dietary Education on Change in Selected Anthropometric and Biochemical Parameters in Children with Excess Body Weight
by Kamilla Strączek, Anita Horodnicka-Józwa, Justyna Szmit-Domagalska, Tomasz Jackowski, Krzysztof Safranow, Elżbieta Petriczko and Mieczysław Walczak
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(18), 11686; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191811686 - 16 Sep 2022
Viewed by 1866
Abstract
Obesity is regarded as a civilization disease that increases mortality and the risk of cardiovascular complications. In Poland, the prevalence of excess body weight in the paediatric population has been steadily increasing. The consequences of excess body weight in the developmental age population [...] Read more.
Obesity is regarded as a civilization disease that increases mortality and the risk of cardiovascular complications. In Poland, the prevalence of excess body weight in the paediatric population has been steadily increasing. The consequences of excess body weight in the developmental age population affect children’s health and destabilize their development. Appropriate dietary interventions are the main non-invasive methods of preventing and treating obesity. They should be aimed at the whole family, optimally with the use of simple tools such as the Healthy Eating Pyramid. Due to the increasing prevalence of excess body weight in the developmental age population and the problems with the treatment of this condition, studies were undertaken in order to determine the impact of a dietary intervention on anthropometric and biochemical parameters in children with excess body weight. A total of 68 (72.3%) children completed the study. Based on BMI SDS, 59 (86.8%) were diagnosed with obesity and 9 (13.2%) with overweight. After the completion of the one-year dietary educational program, a significant improvement in weight loss, waist and hip circumference, as well as the value of the WHtR index was demonstrated. There was also a significant increase in the percentage of muscle tissue and a decrease in the content of adipose tissue in the bodies of examined children. A significant improvement in the parameters of carbohydrate metabolism, and almost all parameters of lipid metabolism, except for total cholesterol. A significant (by 28.0%) reduction in the incidence of fatty liver was also noted. No influence of dietary education on arterial blood pressure was observed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Childhood Obesity Prevention: A Global Public Health Issue)

Review

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11 pages, 1216 KiB  
Review
Low-Grade Inflammation and Role of Anti-Inflammatory Diet in Childhood Obesity
by Ewelina Polak-Szczybyło
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 1682; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20031682 - 17 Jan 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3221
Abstract
At present, pediatric obesity is a significant public health concern. We have seen a surge of disorders that are obesity-related, e.g., insulin resistance (IR), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, cancer, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), autoimmune disorders [...] Read more.
At present, pediatric obesity is a significant public health concern. We have seen a surge of disorders that are obesity-related, e.g., insulin resistance (IR), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, cancer, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), autoimmune disorders and many more. The mechanisms linking these diseases to excess body weight are related to low-grade inflammation (LGI). Although there is a limited number of studies assessing this immune process in childhood obesity, they indicate its significant importance for the health of future generations. There is a need for more research into the prevention and treatment of low-grade inflammation in childhood. The aim of this review is to present and discuss the process of “cold” inflammation, and its impact on health and anti-inflammation nutrition. A diet rich in anti-inflammatory nutrients may be the key to maintaining health, as well as recovery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Childhood Obesity Prevention: A Global Public Health Issue)
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19 pages, 1271 KiB  
Review
Effect of School-Based Food and Nutrition Education Interventions on the Food Consumption of Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Gidyenne Christine Bandeira Silva de Medeiros, Kesley Pablo Morais de Azevedo, Daniel Garcia, Victor Hugo Oliveira Segundo, Ádala Nayana de Sousa Mata, Anny Karoliny Pinheiro Fernandes, Raquel Praxedes dos Santos, Débora Danielly Barros de Brito Trindade, Isabel Morales Moreno, Daniel Guillén Martínez and Grasiela Piuvezam
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(17), 10522; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191710522 - 24 Aug 2022
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 8825
Abstract
The school is a favorable environment for the development of interventions to prevent obesity. The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the effects of school-based food and nutrition education interventions on adolescent food consumption. The literature search was conducted on databases: [...] Read more.
The school is a favorable environment for the development of interventions to prevent obesity. The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the effects of school-based food and nutrition education interventions on adolescent food consumption. The literature search was conducted on databases: MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Scopus, ERIC, Science Direct, Web of Science, Cochrane, LILACS, and ADOLEC. The following research strategies were focused on: population (adolescents), intervention (food and nutrition education), outcome (food consumption), and study design (clinical trial). The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement guidelines were followed and all stages of this review were performed by two researchers and, when necessary, a third researcher resolved discrepancies. Included studies are randomized clinical trials (RCT). A total of 24 articles were included for review and 11 articles in meta-analysis. In the evaluation of the general effects, there was a significant effect (mean difference (MD) for fruit consumption (MD = 0.09, CI 0.05, 0.14) in serving/day; and for vegetables (MD = 0.59, IC 0.15, 1.03) at times/week. In the consumption of FV (fruits and vegetables), there was no significant effect (standardized mean difference (SMD) of interventions in their consumption (SMD = 0.00, 95% C1 −0.11, 0.11). The evidence available in this review and meta-analysis concludes that food and nutrition education interventions in schools presented favorable results in the food consumption of adolescents. Registered on the PROSPERO database (CRD42019116520). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Childhood Obesity Prevention: A Global Public Health Issue)
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