Pub Date : 2025-06-01Epub Date: 2025-02-11DOI: 10.1089/chi.2024.0316
Mengjiao Liu, Dorothea Dumuid, Tim Olds, David Burgner, Susan Ellul, Markus Juonala, Yichao Wang, Sarath Ranganathan, Michael Cheung, Louise Baur, Terry Dwyer, Jessica A Kerr, Kate Lycett, Melissa Wake
Background: We aimed to quantify associations of cardiovascular (CV) large and small artery measures with body composition and body mass (1) separately and (2) in combination in 11- to 12-year-old children and their parents. Methods: In the population-based cross-sectional Child Health CheckPoint study (1495 children, mean 12 ± 0.4 years, 49.3% girls; 1496 parents, mean 44.3 ± 5.0 years, 86.7% mothers), we measured weight, height, body composition [truncal fat, non-truncal fat, fat-free mass (FFM)], and CV functional (blood pressure, pulse wave velocity, arterial elasticity) and structural (carotid intima-media thickness, retinal arteriolar/venular caliber) outcomes. Using compositional data analyses, we examined associations of body composition (expressed as log ratios) and body mass (multiplicative total) with CV measures in separate and combined models. Results: Mean BMI z-score was 0.3 in children [standard deviation (SD) 1.0, 4.5% obese], and mean BMI was 27.9 in parents (SD 6.1, 28.8% obese). In both children and adults, more adverse CV measurements were associated with higher %truncal fat, %non-truncal fat, and body mass and lower %FFM. Compared with normal-weight children, children with obesity had poorer CV measures (e.g., 1 SD faster pulse wave velocity, 0.5 SD lower arterial elasticity), with higher body mass and lower %FFM mainly accounting for these relationships. All relationships were similar, albeit larger, for parents. Conclusion: Poorer CV health in both generations was associated with higher body mass, lower %FFM, and, to a lesser extent, higher %truncal and non-truncal fat. Trials could test whether weight reduction interventions with vs. without FFM preservation differentially improve CV functional and structural precursors.
{"title":"Body Composition, Body Mass, and Cardiovascular Health in Mid-Childhood and Midlife: A Compositional Data Analysis.","authors":"Mengjiao Liu, Dorothea Dumuid, Tim Olds, David Burgner, Susan Ellul, Markus Juonala, Yichao Wang, Sarath Ranganathan, Michael Cheung, Louise Baur, Terry Dwyer, Jessica A Kerr, Kate Lycett, Melissa Wake","doi":"10.1089/chi.2024.0316","DOIUrl":"10.1089/chi.2024.0316","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b><i>Background:</i></b> We aimed to quantify associations of cardiovascular (CV) large and small artery measures with body composition and body mass (1) separately and (2) in combination in 11- to 12-year-old children and their parents. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> In the population-based cross-sectional Child Health CheckPoint study (1495 children, mean 12 ± 0.4 years, 49.3% girls; 1496 parents, mean 44.3 ± 5.0 years, 86.7% mothers), we measured weight, height, body composition [truncal fat, non-truncal fat, fat-free mass (FFM)], and CV functional (blood pressure, pulse wave velocity, arterial elasticity) and structural (carotid intima-media thickness, retinal arteriolar/venular caliber) outcomes. Using compositional data analyses, we examined associations of body composition (expressed as log ratios) and body mass (multiplicative total) with CV measures in separate and combined models. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Mean BMI z-score was 0.3 in children [standard deviation (SD) 1.0, 4.5% obese], and mean BMI was 27.9 in parents (SD 6.1, 28.8% obese). In both children and adults, more adverse CV measurements were associated with higher %truncal fat, %non-truncal fat, and body mass and lower %FFM. Compared with normal-weight children, children with obesity had poorer CV measures (e.g., 1 SD faster pulse wave velocity, 0.5 SD lower arterial elasticity), with higher body mass and lower %FFM mainly accounting for these relationships. All relationships were similar, albeit larger, for parents. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Poorer CV health in both generations was associated with higher body mass, lower %FFM, and, to a lesser extent, higher %truncal and non-truncal fat. Trials could test whether weight reduction interventions with vs. without FFM preservation differentially improve CV functional and structural precursors.</p>","PeriodicalId":48842,"journal":{"name":"Childhood Obesity","volume":" ","pages":"411-421"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143391879","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-01Epub Date: 2024-12-10DOI: 10.1089/chi.2024.0323
Elizabeth Atteh, Sarah Armstrong, Asheley Skinner, Charles Wood
Existing studies that have demonstrated a positive association between obesity and depression have been among adults, did not utilize the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ), or were conducted in a homogenous patient population. In this retrospective longitudinal cohort study of patients >11 and <18 years old with obesity in one health system we analyzed associations between change in BMI between two BMI measurements and PHQ-9 scores using chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests. We used PHQ-9 scores dichotomized at ≥5 as the outcome in logistic regression models to calculate the adjusted odds of having a higher PHQ-9 score for each increase in BMI per month. One-unit higher BMI change per month was associated with 2.52 times higher odds of PHQ-9 score over 5 (95% CI: 1.57-4.05) after adjusting for sex, baseline BMI, age, race, ethnicity, language, and insurance. BMI changes are associated with an increased risk of higher PHQ-9 scores. Close attention to depression screening in this population may be an important addition to other routine screening in pediatric patients with obesity.
{"title":"Increased BMI Velocity is Associated with Elevated Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Scores in Adolescents with Obesity.","authors":"Elizabeth Atteh, Sarah Armstrong, Asheley Skinner, Charles Wood","doi":"10.1089/chi.2024.0323","DOIUrl":"10.1089/chi.2024.0323","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Existing studies that have demonstrated a positive association between obesity and depression have been among adults, did not utilize the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ), or were conducted in a homogenous patient population. In this retrospective longitudinal cohort study of patients >11 and <18 years old with obesity in one health system we analyzed associations between change in BMI between two BMI measurements and PHQ-9 scores using chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests. We used PHQ-9 scores dichotomized at </≥5 as the outcome in logistic regression models to calculate the adjusted odds of having a higher PHQ-9 score for each increase in BMI per month. One-unit higher BMI change per month was associated with 2.52 times higher odds of PHQ-9 score over 5 (95% CI: 1.57-4.05) after adjusting for sex, baseline BMI, age, race, ethnicity, language, and insurance. BMI changes are associated with an increased risk of higher PHQ-9 scores. Close attention to depression screening in this population may be an important addition to other routine screening in pediatric patients with obesity.</p>","PeriodicalId":48842,"journal":{"name":"Childhood Obesity","volume":" ","pages":"422-425"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142802813","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-01Epub Date: 2024-12-18DOI: 10.1089/chi.2024.0351
Sarah Raatz, Rebecca L Freese, Subin Jang, Alicia Kunin-Batson, Amy C Gross, Megan O Bensignor
Background: There are now four FDA-approved anti-obesity medications (AOMs) for youth ≥12 years, which can be effective therapies to treat obesity and obesity-related comorbidities. Objectives: This study describes parent/guardian (caregiver) openness to using AOMs for adolescents with obesity and evaluates factors that may contribute to openness. Methods: Caregivers of adolescents aged 12-17 years were surveyed. Self-reported height, weight, demographic information, family, and personal history of obesity or obesity-related comorbidities were collected. Participants rated their openness to starting an AOM for their child for obesity alone or obesity-related comorbidities on a 7-point Likert scale. A Likert rating of less than 4 was considered "less open" versus 4-7 was considered "more open." Results: A total of 344 participants completed the survey. Average openness toward AOM use for obesity as the only indication (as opposed to comorbid conditions) was 3.2 ± 1.74. Caregivers who were knowledgeable that the FDA-approved AOM use in adolescents had greater odds of being open to using these medications compared with caregivers who were not knowledgeable (odds ratio: 2.18; 95% confidence interval: 1.25-2.86). Conclusions: Caregivers reported openness to starting an AOM if they had prior knowledge of these medications, highlighting the need for family education on AOM use and indications.
{"title":"Parent and Guardian Opinions on Obesity Medications Use in Adolescents with Obesity and Related Comorbidities.","authors":"Sarah Raatz, Rebecca L Freese, Subin Jang, Alicia Kunin-Batson, Amy C Gross, Megan O Bensignor","doi":"10.1089/chi.2024.0351","DOIUrl":"10.1089/chi.2024.0351","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b><i>Background:</i></b> There are now four FDA-approved anti-obesity medications (AOMs) for youth ≥12 years, which can be effective therapies to treat obesity and obesity-related comorbidities. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> This study describes parent/guardian (caregiver) openness to using AOMs for adolescents with obesity and evaluates factors that may contribute to openness. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Caregivers of adolescents aged 12-17 years were surveyed. Self-reported height, weight, demographic information, family, and personal history of obesity or obesity-related comorbidities were collected. Participants rated their openness to starting an AOM for their child for obesity alone or obesity-related comorbidities on a 7-point Likert scale. A Likert rating of less than 4 was considered \"less open\" versus 4-7 was considered \"more open.\" <b><i>Results:</i></b> A total of 344 participants completed the survey. Average openness toward AOM use for obesity as the only indication (as opposed to comorbid conditions) was 3.2 ± 1.74. Caregivers who were knowledgeable that the FDA-approved AOM use in adolescents had greater odds of being open to using these medications compared with caregivers who were not knowledgeable (odds ratio: 2.18; 95% confidence interval: 1.25-2.86). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Caregivers reported openness to starting an AOM if they had prior knowledge of these medications, highlighting the need for family education on AOM use and indications.</p>","PeriodicalId":48842,"journal":{"name":"Childhood Obesity","volume":" ","pages":"365-371"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12223371/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142856032","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-01Epub Date: 2025-01-06DOI: 10.1089/chi.2024.0374
Alexandra J Heidl, Madelaine Gierc, Stephanie Saputra, Thumri Waliwitiya, Eli Puterman, Tamara R Cohen
It is unknown if children and youth who live in rural or "less rural" locations who enroll in the provincially funded Generation Health Clinic (British Columbia, Canada), a family-based lifestyle program for weight management, present with different health behaviors at baseline. Thus, we assessed sociodemographic and health behavior (diet, physical activity, and sleep) collected between 2015 and 2019. Data were stratified by age (children: ≤12 years; adolescents: ≥13 years) and geographical location ("less urban" and urban) based on Statistics Canada definitions and then analyzed using independent t-tests and chi-square tests. We found that more "urban" children consumed more daily family meals (p < 0.001), ate out weekly (p = 0.02), ate "other" vegetables (p = 0.002), and had less frequent sports drink consumption (p < 0.001) compared with less urban children. No significant differences in health behaviors were seen in adolescents. These findings suggest that a participant's geographical location should be considered when developing family-based interventions for weight management.
{"title":"Differences in Geographical Location and Health Behaviors of Participants in a Family-Based Lifestyle Intervention for Children and Adolescents Living with Obesity.","authors":"Alexandra J Heidl, Madelaine Gierc, Stephanie Saputra, Thumri Waliwitiya, Eli Puterman, Tamara R Cohen","doi":"10.1089/chi.2024.0374","DOIUrl":"10.1089/chi.2024.0374","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>It is unknown if children and youth who live in rural or \"less rural\" locations who enroll in the provincially funded Generation Health Clinic (British Columbia, Canada), a family-based lifestyle program for weight management, present with different health behaviors at baseline. Thus, we assessed sociodemographic and health behavior (diet, physical activity, and sleep) collected between 2015 and 2019. Data were stratified by age (children: ≤12 years; adolescents: ≥13 years) and geographical location (\"less urban\" and urban) based on Statistics Canada definitions and then analyzed using independent <i>t</i>-tests and chi<i>-</i>square tests. We found that more \"urban\" children consumed more daily family meals (<i>p</i> < 0.001), ate out weekly (<i>p</i> = 0.02), ate \"other\" vegetables (<i>p</i> = 0.002), and had less frequent sports drink consumption (<i>p</i> < 0.001) compared with less urban children. No significant differences in health behaviors were seen in adolescents. These findings suggest that a participant's geographical location should be considered when developing family-based interventions for weight management.</p>","PeriodicalId":48842,"journal":{"name":"Childhood Obesity","volume":" ","pages":"426-435"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142933228","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-01Epub Date: 2025-01-09DOI: 10.1089/chi.2024.0325
William T Juckett, Nicholas G Evanoff, Aaron S Kelly, Eric M Bomberg, Donald R Dengel
Objective: Relationships between gonadotropins, sex hormones, and vascular structure and function in adolescents of varying weight statuses have not been fully investigated. In the present study, we examined associations among these in female and male adolescents with normal weight or obesity. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of adolescents (n = 58; 12-<18 years) grouped according to BMI percentile (BMI%) into normal weight (5th-<85th BMI%; n = 25) and obesity (≥95th BMI%; n = 33) categories. Fasting blood samples were collected to measure follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, and estradiol. Vascular function was measured via ultrasonography for measures of carotid artery diameter compliance (cDC), incremental elastic modulus (cIEM), and brachial artery flow mediated dilation (FMD). Results: Females with obesity had a significantly (p = 0.009) greater mean FMD compared with those with normal weight. FSH, LH, testosterone, and estradiol did not differ between normal weight and obesity groups in either sex. After adjusting for age and multiple comparisons, higher testosterone was associated with decreased cDC (R2 = 0.189; p = 0.018) and increased cIEM (R2 = 0.346; p = 0.002) across all females. In all males, higher estradiol was associated with decreased cDC (R2 = 0.404; p = 0.006) and increased cIEM (R2 = 0.411; p = 0.003). Conclusion: We found that testosterone and estradiol were associated with vascular measures in female and male adolescents, respectively. Future studies are needed to confirm these relationships in larger cohorts and among those with BMIs in the overweight (85th-<95th BMI%) and severe obesity (BMI ≥120% of the 95th percentile and/or ≥35 kg/m2) categories.
{"title":"Relationships Between Gonadotropins, Sex Hormones, and Vascular Health in Adolescents with Normal Weight or Obesity.","authors":"William T Juckett, Nicholas G Evanoff, Aaron S Kelly, Eric M Bomberg, Donald R Dengel","doi":"10.1089/chi.2024.0325","DOIUrl":"10.1089/chi.2024.0325","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b><i>Objective:</i></b> Relationships between gonadotropins, sex hormones, and vascular structure and function in adolescents of varying weight statuses have not been fully investigated. In the present study, we examined associations among these in female and male adolescents with normal weight or obesity. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We performed a cross-sectional analysis of adolescents (<i>n</i> = 58; 12-<18 years) grouped according to BMI percentile (BMI%) into normal weight (5th-<85th BMI%; <i>n</i> = 25) and obesity (≥95th BMI%; <i>n</i> = 33) categories. Fasting blood samples were collected to measure follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, and estradiol. Vascular function was measured via ultrasonography for measures of carotid artery diameter compliance (cDC), incremental elastic modulus (cIEM), and brachial artery flow mediated dilation (FMD). <b><i>Results:</i></b> Females with obesity had a significantly (<i>p</i> = 0.009) greater mean FMD compared with those with normal weight. FSH, LH, testosterone, and estradiol did not differ between normal weight and obesity groups in either sex. After adjusting for age and multiple comparisons, higher testosterone was associated with decreased cDC (<i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.189; <i>p</i> = 0.018) and increased cIEM (<i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.346; <i>p</i> = 0.002) across all females. In all males, higher estradiol was associated with decreased cDC (<i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.404; <i>p</i> = 0.006) and increased cIEM (<i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.411; <i>p</i> = 0.003). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> We found that testosterone and estradiol were associated with vascular measures in female and male adolescents, respectively. Future studies are needed to confirm these relationships in larger cohorts and among those with BMIs in the overweight (85th-<95th BMI%) and severe obesity (BMI ≥120% of the 95th percentile and/or ≥35 kg/m<sup>2</sup>) categories.</p>","PeriodicalId":48842,"journal":{"name":"Childhood Obesity","volume":" ","pages":"402-410"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142957249","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-01Epub Date: 2025-01-22DOI: 10.1089/chi.2024.0287
Rebecca Berg Pedersen, Maria Martens Fraulund, Elizaveta Chabanova, Louise Aas Holm, Torben Hansen, Henrik S Thomsen, Jens-Christian Holm, Cilius Esmann Fonvig
Background: Steatotic liver disease (SLD) represents a multisystem disease and is a common complication of childhood obesity. We studied fat content at the abdominal level (liver, subcutaneous, and visceral) and the response to childhood obesity management. Methods: In this retrospective longitudinal study, 8-18-year-olds with a body mass index (BMI) z-score above 1.28 (corresponding to a BMI above the 90th percentile), as a proxy for obesity, were offered person-centered, family-oriented obesity management in a hospital setting and in a magnetic resonance (MR) scan. Liver fat content (LFC) was assessed by MR spectroscopy, whereas subcutaneous adipose tissue and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) were assessed by MR imaging. We conducted nonparametric tests to evaluate baseline-to-follow-up changes and comparisons between participants with and without an MR assessment. Additionally, a logistic regression model examined the association between changes in LFC and BMI z-score. Results: The study group comprised 1002 children and adolescents (52% females) with an MR assessment at baseline. The median age was 13.0 years, the median BMI was 28.4, and the BMI z-score was 2.90. At baseline, 378 (38%) exhibited SLD defined by an LFC above 1.5%. Among the 322 with a follow-up MR scan, 76% of the patients with SLD reduced their LFC. BMI z-score and VAT (both p < 0.001) were reduced during intervention. Conclusions: SLD is highly prevalent (38%) in children and adolescents with obesity. A chronic care obesity management model reduced the fat content in the liver, the visceral fat, and the degree of obesity.
{"title":"Nonpharmacological Childhood Obesity Management in Denmark Reduces Steatotic Liver Disease and Obesity.","authors":"Rebecca Berg Pedersen, Maria Martens Fraulund, Elizaveta Chabanova, Louise Aas Holm, Torben Hansen, Henrik S Thomsen, Jens-Christian Holm, Cilius Esmann Fonvig","doi":"10.1089/chi.2024.0287","DOIUrl":"10.1089/chi.2024.0287","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b><i>Background:</i></b> Steatotic liver disease (SLD) represents a multisystem disease and is a common complication of childhood obesity. We studied fat content at the abdominal level (liver, subcutaneous, and visceral) and the response to childhood obesity management. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> In this retrospective longitudinal study, 8-18-year-olds with a body mass index (BMI) z-score above 1.28 (corresponding to a BMI above the 90th percentile), as a proxy for obesity, were offered person-centered, family-oriented obesity management in a hospital setting and in a magnetic resonance (MR) scan. Liver fat content (LFC) was assessed by MR spectroscopy, whereas subcutaneous adipose tissue and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) were assessed by MR imaging. We conducted nonparametric tests to evaluate baseline-to-follow-up changes and comparisons between participants with and without an MR assessment. Additionally, a logistic regression model examined the association between changes in LFC and BMI z-score. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The study group comprised 1002 children and adolescents (52% females) with an MR assessment at baseline. The median age was 13.0 years, the median BMI was 28.4, and the BMI z-score was 2.90. At baseline, 378 (38%) exhibited SLD defined by an LFC above 1.5%. Among the 322 with a follow-up MR scan, 76% of the patients with SLD reduced their LFC. BMI z-score and VAT (both <i>p</i> < 0.001) were reduced during intervention. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> SLD is highly prevalent (38%) in children and adolescents with obesity. A chronic care obesity management model reduced the fat content in the liver, the visceral fat, and the degree of obesity.</p>","PeriodicalId":48842,"journal":{"name":"Childhood Obesity","volume":" ","pages":"392-401"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143014565","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-01Epub Date: 2024-12-20DOI: 10.1089/chi.2024.0322
Alexandra Ursache, Brandi Y Rollins
Background: To examine longitudinal associations of early neighborhood Child Opportunity Index 2.0 (COI) with children's BMI trajectories and identify whether household economic resources moderate relations of COI in infancy/toddlerhood and the preschool years to longitudinal BMI growth between 2 and 12 years. Methods: Family data (n = 1091) were drawn from the Family Life Project, a longitudinal study of families residing in rural high-poverty areas. Neighborhood COI was obtained for each developmental period: infancy/toddlerhood (2-15 months) and the preschool years (2-5 years). BMIs were created from anthropometrics collected at six time points. Results: Higher neighborhood COIs during the infancy/toddlerhood (β = -0.0130, p < 0.01) and preschool years (β = -0.0093, p < 0.05) were associated with lower BMI at 5 years of age; although the latter became nonsignificant after adjusting for infancy/toddlerhood COI. Both household income and time spent in poverty moderated associations of infancy/toddlerhood exposure to neighborhood COI with BMI change. Among children residing in not poor households, higher neighborhood level child opportunity was associated with a slower increase in BMI from 2 to 12 years (β = -0.0369, p < 0.05), and a lower BMI at 12 years (β = -0.0395, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Neighborhood COI during the infant and toddler years is longitudinally associated with child growth, and long-term associations are evident among children residing in not poor households. Future work is needed to better understand how family and neighborhood-level resources interact to influence obesity risk, particularly for those at high risk.
背景:研究早期邻里儿童机会指数2.0 (COI)与儿童BMI轨迹的纵向关联,并确定家庭经济资源是否调节婴幼儿期和学龄前儿童机会指数2.0与2 - 12岁儿童BMI纵向增长的关系。方法:家庭数据(n = 1091)来自家庭生活项目,这是一项对农村高贫困地区家庭的纵向研究。每个发育阶段的邻里COI:婴儿期/幼儿期(2-15个月)和学龄前(2-5岁)。bmi是根据在六个时间点收集的人体测量数据创建的。结果:婴幼儿期(β = -0.0130, p < 0.01)和学龄前(β = -0.0093, p < 0.05)较高的邻里COIs与5岁时较低的BMI相关;尽管后者在调整了婴儿期/幼儿期COI后变得不显著。家庭收入和贫困时间都调节了婴幼儿暴露于社区COI与BMI变化的关系。在非贫困家庭的儿童中,较高的邻里儿童机会与2至12岁时BMI增长缓慢相关(β = -0.0369, p < 0.05),与12岁时较低的BMI相关(β = -0.0395, p < 0.05)。结论:婴幼儿时期的邻里COI与儿童的成长有纵向关系,而在非贫困家庭的儿童中,这种长期关系也很明显。未来的工作需要更好地了解家庭和社区资源如何相互作用来影响肥胖风险,特别是对于那些高风险的人。
{"title":"Household Income Moderates Longitudinal Relations Between Neighborhood Child Opportunity Index and BMI Growth.","authors":"Alexandra Ursache, Brandi Y Rollins","doi":"10.1089/chi.2024.0322","DOIUrl":"10.1089/chi.2024.0322","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b><i>Background:</i></b> To examine longitudinal associations of early neighborhood Child Opportunity Index 2.0 (COI) with children's BMI trajectories and identify whether household economic resources moderate relations of COI in infancy/toddlerhood and the preschool years to longitudinal BMI growth between 2 and 12 years. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Family data (<i>n</i> = 1091) were drawn from the Family Life Project, a longitudinal study of families residing in rural high-poverty areas. Neighborhood COI was obtained for each developmental period: infancy/toddlerhood (2-15 months) and the preschool years (2-5 years). BMIs were created from anthropometrics collected at six time points. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Higher neighborhood COIs during the infancy/toddlerhood (<i>β</i> = -0.0130, <i>p</i> < 0.01) and preschool years (<i>β</i> = -0.0093, <i>p</i> < 0.05) were associated with lower BMI at 5 years of age; although the latter became nonsignificant after adjusting for infancy/toddlerhood COI. Both household income and time spent in poverty moderated associations of infancy/toddlerhood exposure to neighborhood COI with BMI change. Among children residing in not poor households, higher neighborhood level child opportunity was associated with a slower increase in BMI from 2 to 12 years (<i>β</i> = -0.0369, <i>p</i> < 0.05), and a lower BMI at 12 years (<i>β</i> = -0.0395, <i>p</i> < 0.05). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Neighborhood COI during the infant and toddler years is longitudinally associated with child growth, and long-term associations are evident among children residing in not poor households. Future work is needed to better understand how family and neighborhood-level resources interact to influence obesity risk, particularly for those at high risk.</p>","PeriodicalId":48842,"journal":{"name":"Childhood Obesity","volume":" ","pages":"372-379"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12223382/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142873230","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-04-01Epub Date: 2025-02-20DOI: 10.1089/chi.2024.0366
Beatriz A Carmona, Lily Deng, Caleb Gilbert, Ella Freimuth, Rujia Xie, Laura L Bellows
Background: Early childhood education (ECE) educators play an instrumental role in children's health and development but unfortunately have poor health themselves. This project examined the physical and psychological health of New York licensed ECE educators. Methods: A sequential, explanatory mixed methods design (quan→QUAL) consisted of a 110-item survey and semi-structured interviews to examine physical (diet, physical activity [PA], sleep, and body mass index [BMI]) and psychological health (stress and burnout). Quantitatively, multiple linear regressions tested associations between physical and psychological health, controlling for age and income, using R (v4.3.2, 2023); α < 0.05. Qualitatively, content analysis with pattern recognition for pragmatic synthesis was performed. Results: Survey respondents (n = 1423) and interview participants (n = 36) worked in a variety of ECE settings; 74% had overweight/obesity and 24% deemed themselves "unhealthy." Many had poor health behaviors-low diet quality (74%), limited regular PA (28%), poor sleep quality (34%), and moderate/high stress levels (74%). Most desired changes to health behaviors but were challenged due to work environments and job demands. Work-based factors impacted both their physical and mental health and influenced their personal life. Burnout and stress were high, and feelings of underappreciation were prevalent. Higher burnout (emotional exhaustion) was significantly associated with higher BMI (β = 0.18, p < 0.01) and stress (β = 1.09, p < 0.01) and lower PA (β = 2.62, p < 0.01) and sleep (β = 0.94, p < 0.01). Conclusion: ECE educators are experiencing high stress/burnout, have poor health behaviors, and have high prevalence of obesity. Workplace health promotion efforts are needed to improve educators' health and potentially that of the children in their care.
背景:幼儿教育工作者在儿童健康和发展方面发挥着重要作用,但不幸的是,他们自身的健康状况不佳。该项目检查了纽约持牌欧洲经委会教育工作者的身心健康。方法:采用顺序、解释性混合方法设计(quan→QUAL),包括110项调查和半结构化访谈,检查身体健康(饮食、身体活动[PA]、睡眠和体重指数[BMI])和心理健康(压力和倦怠)。在控制年龄和收入的情况下,使用R (v4.3.2, 2023),定量地进行了多重线性回归,检验了身心健康之间的关联;α < 0.05。定性地,内容分析与模式识别进行语用综合。结果:调查对象(n = 1423)和访谈参与者(n = 36)在不同的ECE环境中工作;74%的人超重/肥胖,24%的人认为自己“不健康”。许多人有不良的健康行为——饮食质量低(74%),常规PA有限(28%),睡眠质量差(34%),中等/高压力水平(74%)。大多数人希望改变健康行为,但由于工作环境和工作要求而受到挑战。工作因素既影响她们的身心健康,也影响她们的个人生活。精疲力竭和压力很大,被低估的感觉很普遍。高倦怠(情绪耗竭)与高BMI (β = 0.18, p < 0.01)、高应激(β = 1.09, p < 0.01)、低PA (β = 2.62, p < 0.01)、低睡眠(β = 0.94, p < 0.01)显著相关。结论:幼儿教育工作者面临高压力/倦怠,健康行为不良,肥胖患病率高。需要开展工作场所健康促进工作,以改善教育工作者的健康,并可能改善他们所照顾的儿童的健康。
{"title":"Prioritizing Early Childhood Educators Health: Insights for Worksite Health Promotion Efforts.","authors":"Beatriz A Carmona, Lily Deng, Caleb Gilbert, Ella Freimuth, Rujia Xie, Laura L Bellows","doi":"10.1089/chi.2024.0366","DOIUrl":"10.1089/chi.2024.0366","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b><i>Background:</i></b> Early childhood education (ECE) educators play an instrumental role in children's health and development but unfortunately have poor health themselves. This project examined the physical and psychological health of New York licensed ECE educators. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A sequential, explanatory mixed methods design (quan→QUAL) consisted of a 110-item survey and semi-structured interviews to examine physical (diet, physical activity [PA], sleep, and body mass index [BMI]) and psychological health (stress and burnout). Quantitatively, multiple linear regressions tested associations between physical and psychological health, controlling for age and income, using R (v4.3.2, 2023); α < 0.05. Qualitatively, content analysis with pattern recognition for pragmatic synthesis was performed. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Survey respondents (<i>n</i> = 1423) and interview participants (<i>n</i> = 36) worked in a variety of ECE settings; 74% had overweight/obesity and 24% deemed themselves \"unhealthy.\" Many had poor health behaviors-low diet quality (74%), limited regular PA (28%), poor sleep quality (34%), and moderate/high stress levels (74%). Most desired changes to health behaviors but were challenged due to work environments and job demands. Work-based factors impacted both their physical and mental health and influenced their personal life. Burnout and stress were high, and feelings of underappreciation were prevalent. Higher burnout (emotional exhaustion) was significantly associated with higher BMI (β = 0.18, <i>p</i> < 0.01) and stress (β = 1.09, <i>p</i> < 0.01) and lower PA (β = 2.62, <i>p</i> < 0.01) and sleep (β = 0.94, <i>p</i> < 0.01). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> ECE educators are experiencing high stress/burnout, have poor health behaviors, and have high prevalence of obesity. Workplace health promotion efforts are needed to improve educators' health and potentially that of the children in their care.</p>","PeriodicalId":48842,"journal":{"name":"Childhood Obesity","volume":" ","pages":"242-254"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12139706/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143459995","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-04-01Epub Date: 2025-02-18DOI: 10.1089/chi.2024.0383
Falon T Smith, Ben D Kern, Carolyn Gura, Sia Singhi, Rebecca A Batista
The importance of establishing national surveillance systems to monitor physical activity promotion is well recognized. This article outlines the methodological process undertaken to develop an evaluation rubric for assessing state licensing regulations alignment with the National Physical Activity Plan Education Sector Early Childhood Education (ECE) strategy. This tool offers a cost-effective mechanism for ongoing surveillance of ECE physical activity policies, with the potential to inform modifications that promote uniform standards and establish consistent, high-quality opportunities for the nation's youngest children.
{"title":"The National Physical Activity Plan Early Childhood Education Strategy: State Policy Surveillance.","authors":"Falon T Smith, Ben D Kern, Carolyn Gura, Sia Singhi, Rebecca A Batista","doi":"10.1089/chi.2024.0383","DOIUrl":"10.1089/chi.2024.0383","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The importance of establishing national surveillance systems to monitor physical activity promotion is well recognized. This article outlines the methodological process undertaken to develop an evaluation rubric for assessing state licensing regulations alignment with the National Physical Activity Plan Education Sector Early Childhood Education (ECE) strategy. This tool offers a cost-effective mechanism for ongoing surveillance of ECE physical activity policies, with the potential to inform modifications that promote uniform standards and establish consistent, high-quality opportunities for the nation's youngest children.</p>","PeriodicalId":48842,"journal":{"name":"Childhood Obesity","volume":" ","pages":"237-241"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143450341","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-04-01Epub Date: 2025-03-13DOI: 10.1089/chi.2024.0358
Naveta Bhatti, Dipti A Dev, Natalie Koziol, Tirna Purkait, Jean Ann Fischer, Donnia Behrends, Natalie Sehi, Julie Tippens, Julia Torquati, Carly Applegarth, Lisa Franzen-Castle
Background: Although racial, ethnic minorities, and immigrants are more likely to have poor diet-related health outcomes, few studies have compared children's dietary quality across diverse households, which is the formative step to designing targeted interventions. The current study evaluates and compares the dietary quality of young children from diverse racial, ethnic, and immigrant households in Nebraska. Methods: Cross-sectional survey data were collected from adults living in Nebraska with at least one 2-6-year-old child residing in their household via an online survey regarding their federal assistance program participation and dietary quality of child(ren) residing in their household, measured using the short Healthy Eating Index (sHEI). Results: With nearly two-third participating in a federal assistance program, the sample includes respondents from diverse households (n = 1,277) including first-generation immigrant (n = 61), non-immigrant Hispanic (n = 538), non-immigrant non-Hispanic White (n = 509), non-immigrant non-Hispanic Black or African American (n = 120), and non-Hispanic American Indian or Native Hawaiian (n = 49). Based on analysis of covariance controlling for demographic variables, children from immigrant households had lower mean sHEI score 43.9 as compared to non-immigrant Hispanic 46.4, non-immigrant non-Hispanic White 47.1, non-immigrant non-Hispanic Black or African American 50.2, and non-Hispanic American Indian or Native Hawaiian 48.9. Racial/ethnic/immigrant household group differences were also observed for some sHEI component scores. Conclusions: Children from immigrant and non-immigrant Hispanic households had significantly lower sHEI scores on some subcomponents compared with other groups. Findings emphasize the need for additional research and culturally responsive multilevel nutrition interventions.
{"title":"Exploring Disparities in Dietary Quality Among Young Children Across Diverse Racial, Ethnic, and Immigrant Households.","authors":"Naveta Bhatti, Dipti A Dev, Natalie Koziol, Tirna Purkait, Jean Ann Fischer, Donnia Behrends, Natalie Sehi, Julie Tippens, Julia Torquati, Carly Applegarth, Lisa Franzen-Castle","doi":"10.1089/chi.2024.0358","DOIUrl":"10.1089/chi.2024.0358","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b><i>Background:</i></b> Although racial, ethnic minorities, and immigrants are more likely to have poor diet-related health outcomes, few studies have compared children's dietary quality across diverse households, which is the formative step to designing targeted interventions. The current study evaluates and compares the dietary quality of young children from diverse racial, ethnic, and immigrant households in Nebraska. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Cross-sectional survey data were collected from adults living in Nebraska with at least one 2-6-year-old child residing in their household via an online survey regarding their federal assistance program participation and dietary quality of child(ren) residing in their household, measured using the short Healthy Eating Index (sHEI). <b><i>Results:</i></b> With nearly two-third participating in a federal assistance program, the sample includes respondents from diverse households (<i>n</i> = 1,277) including first-generation immigrant (<i>n</i> = 61), non-immigrant Hispanic (<i>n</i> = 538), non-immigrant non-Hispanic White (<i>n</i> = 509), non-immigrant non-Hispanic Black or African American (<i>n</i> = 120), and non-Hispanic American Indian or Native Hawaiian (<i>n</i> = 49). Based on analysis of covariance controlling for demographic variables, children from immigrant households had lower mean sHEI score 43.9 as compared to non-immigrant Hispanic 46.4, non-immigrant non-Hispanic White 47.1, non-immigrant non-Hispanic Black or African American 50.2, and non-Hispanic American Indian or Native Hawaiian 48.9. Racial/ethnic/immigrant household group differences were also observed for some sHEI component scores. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Children from immigrant and non-immigrant Hispanic households had significantly lower sHEI scores on some subcomponents compared with other groups. Findings emphasize the need for additional research and culturally responsive multilevel nutrition interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":48842,"journal":{"name":"Childhood Obesity","volume":" ","pages":"337-347"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143626092","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}