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Childhood Obesity: New Knowledge, Cases and Interventions
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Childhood Obesity: New Knowledge, Cases and Interventions

A special issue of Reports (ISSN 2571-841X).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2020) | Viewed by 11226

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Robert M. Siegel

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Pediatrics, and James M. Anderson Center for Health Systems Excellence, The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
2. Department of Pediatics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
Interests: school-based obesity initiatives; behavioral economic change in food selection; cardiovascular risk screening in children
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Obesity continues as one of the gravest medical challenges the world faces. Childhood obesity and its causes are of great concern as lifestyle patterns, risk factors, and medical problems established as a child often carry on into adulthood. As we move into what many consider the fifth decade of the obesity epidemic, there are still many knowledge gaps in what is causing obesity and sadly, a very limited number of effective interventions for the pediatric age group. With this issue of Reports, we focus on new knowledge, interventions, and interesting medical cases related to childhood obesity. It is our hope to increase practitioners’ and researchers’ knowledge of the newest therapies and medical issues that relate to this critically important and growing disease.

Prof. Dr. Robert M. Siegel
Guest Editor

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

10 pages, 230 KiB  
Article
Does Birthweight Represent Imprinting for Life? Preliminary Findings from the Level and Timing of Diabetic Hyperglycemia in Utero: Transgenerational Effect on Adult Morbidity (TEAM) Study
by Jane C. Khoury, Mekibib Altaye, Shelley Ehrlich, Suzanne Summer, Nicholas J. Ollberding, Rhonda Szczesniak, Resmi Gupta, Patrick Catalano and Katherine Bowers
Reports 2020, 3(4), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/reports3040036 - 13 Dec 2020
Viewed by 2438
Abstract
Women with pre-gestational diabetes have a high rate of large for gestational age (LGA) babies compared to women without diabetes. In particular, there is a high rate of asymmetric LGA defined as ponderal index (PI) > 90th percentile for gestational age. We examined [...] Read more.
Women with pre-gestational diabetes have a high rate of large for gestational age (LGA) babies compared to women without diabetes. In particular, there is a high rate of asymmetric LGA defined as ponderal index (PI) > 90th percentile for gestational age. We examined the association of birth weight and PI, with body mass index (BMI) and obesity status in adulthood, in a cohort of offspring of women with pre-gestational diabetes. The women participated in the Diabetes in Pregnancy (DiP) study at the University of Cincinnati from 1978 to 1995. The offspring of these women are the cohort participating in an observational study being conducted at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Once located, the offspring were invited to come in for a one-day clinic visit to assess anthropometrics, and their metabolic, renal and cardiovascular status. Linear and logistic regression was used to assess the association between birth weight and PI with current BMI. We report on 107 offspring. A statistically significant association was found between offspring current BMI with birth PI (β = 1.89, 95% CI 0.40–3.38), and between offspring current obesity status and birth asymmetric LGA (aOR = 2.44, 95% CI 1.01–5.82). This is consistent with in utero “metabolic programming”. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Childhood Obesity: New Knowledge, Cases and Interventions)
11 pages, 232 KiB  
Article
Parent Perspectives on Implementing Health Behavior Recommendations for Their Infants
by Katherine P. Nickele, Liliana Bolanos, Punreet K. Bhatti, Karen Williams, Maryann Mason and Adolfo J. Ariza
Reports 2020, 3(4), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/reports3040035 - 10 Dec 2020
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2539
Abstract
Little is known about the influence of parental values, preferences, and child achievement and health expectations on parent choices for their child’s rearing practices. We aimed to explore parents’ perceptions of immediate and future impact of health behavior decisions for their child and [...] Read more.
Little is known about the influence of parental values, preferences, and child achievement and health expectations on parent choices for their child’s rearing practices. We aimed to explore parents’ perceptions of immediate and future impact of health behavior decisions for their child and to understand factors associated with child-specific health behavior decisions. This pilot study included interviews with 25 parents of 9–24-month-old children attending well child care visits at a primary care practice. Questions assessed parental perceptions and attitudes in making health behavior changes now for their child’s future health. Themes suggest parents perceive many factors are involved, and intricately connected, in health behavior decision-making. Although almost all parents believed there is a connection between the foods they feed their child and achieving their goals, only half are willing to make a change. In addition, parents failed to consider the impact of the health practices they currently have with their children to influence the future acquisition of life skills and of healthy versus obesogenic behaviors. Our results add to the understanding of the process of health behavior change through anticipatory guidance. Study findings will be used to guide next steps towards refining our understanding of health and lifestyle change decisions made by parents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Childhood Obesity: New Knowledge, Cases and Interventions)
7 pages, 190 KiB  
Article
Body Composition versus BMI as Measures of Success in a Clinical Pediatric Weight Management Program
by Kristin Stackpole, Philip Khoury, Robert Siegel and Amanda Gier
Reports 2020, 3(4), 32; https://doi.org/10.3390/reports3040032 - 20 Oct 2020
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2927
Abstract
The high rates and long-term medical consequences of childhood obesity make it a public health crisis requiring effective diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Although BMI is an adequate screening tool for obesity, monitoring BMI change is not always the best measure of success in [...] Read more.
The high rates and long-term medical consequences of childhood obesity make it a public health crisis requiring effective diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Although BMI is an adequate screening tool for obesity, monitoring BMI change is not always the best measure of success in treating patients in a pediatric weight management program. Our retrospective study evaluated the proportion of patients that achieved favorable changes in body composition by bioelectrical impedance analysis in the absence of improvements in BMI, BMI percentile, or percent of the 95th percentile for BMI. It was found that 30% of patients whose BMI increased by 1.0 kg/m2 or more, 31.6% of patients with stable or increasing BMI percentiles, and 28% with stable or increasing percent of the 95th percentile for BMI demonstrated an improvement in body composition (skeletal muscle mass and body fat percentage). Body composition is an important measure of success for a subset of patients who otherwise may believe that their efforts in lifestyle change have not been effective. Our results suggest that including body fat percentage as a measure of success in evaluating the progress of patients participating in a pediatric weight management program is appropriate and may more accurately track success than change in BMI or BMI percentile alone. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Childhood Obesity: New Knowledge, Cases and Interventions)
7 pages, 206 KiB  
Article
A Feasibility Study of a Fit Kit School-Based Intervention to Improve the Health of Students and Their Families
by Jenna M. Williams, Tracy Power, Jamie Stoneham, Nicole DeGreg and Robert M. Siegel
Reports 2020, 3(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/reports3010004 - 5 Feb 2020
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2633
Abstract
Roberts Academy is an urban elementary school consisting of primarily Hispanic students from lower socioeconomic homes. We were unable to provide weight management and healthy lifestyle counseling for many of the families that were referred to our obesity program, and more broadly were [...] Read more.
Roberts Academy is an urban elementary school consisting of primarily Hispanic students from lower socioeconomic homes. We were unable to provide weight management and healthy lifestyle counseling for many of the families that were referred to our obesity program, and more broadly were missing the at-risk families. The purpose of the Fit Kit intervention was to improve the health behaviors of the entire family at home and to reduce barriers through this comprehensive treatment and prevention approach. A Fit Kit included a shelf-stable, low-cost, healthy meal for a family of four, a portioned plate, and a soccer beach ball. Families also received monthly educational materials, healthy meal recipes, information about community food and exercise resources, and were invited to attend a culturally adapted cooking experience. No significant differences were seen between pre- and post-intervention survey questions. Post-Fit-Kit surveys showed that the majority of families prepared and liked the meal, found the recipes helpful, and used the portioned plate supplied with the kit. Overall, we conclude this is a feasible method for distributing tangible educational tools to families, but need more information about how it impacts food selection and purchasing behaviors of those families. While the Fit Kit proved to be feasible and acceptable in this test of concept, future studies are needed to further evaluate its impact in a more rigorous scientific manner. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Childhood Obesity: New Knowledge, Cases and Interventions)
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