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Abstract : Prevalence of Obesity and its Influencing Factors in Affluent School Children of Tumkur: Lessons from South India
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Abstract: Background:Obesity is defined by WHO “as a condition of abnormal or excessive fat accumulation in adipose tissue, to the extent that health may be impaired”. The problem of childhood obesity is quite high in rich and affluent countries. 1. To estimate the prevalence of obesity among school children aged 6-15 years in three affluent schools of Tumkur. 2. To study the influencing factors of obesity among school children. Methods: Study Design: Case Control study. Study Settings: Three affluent schools of Tumkur city, Karnataka, South India. Sample size was2000 Students of three affluent schools and duration of study was fromJune to August 2014. Each Child’s height and weight were measured by adopting standard procedure. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated using BMI charts based on NCHS (national center for health statistics) standards. A child was considered obese if the BMI was > 95th percentile cutoff point which is specific to the age and sex of the child. To determine the association of (life style) influencing factors of obesity in children, mothers were interviewed in presence of children to gather information’ about their child’s daily (24 hour) activity. Results:Out of 2000 children 66 were obese. The prevalence was 3.3% in school children in the age group of 6-15 years in three affluent schools of Tumkur. In our study, Prevalence of obesity was more in boys (3.47%) on comparison to girls (3.04%). There is increased prevalence of obesity in age group of six, eleven and twelve years. In this study 77.2% cases spent less than 2 hrs in a day and 22.7% cases spent more than 2 hrs in physical activities. Prevalence of obesity was more in children who spent less than 2 hrs in a day in physical activities. This was statistically significant. Conclusions:Prevalence of obesity in school children aged 6-15 yrs is 3.3% in three affluent schools of Tumkur. Prevalence of obesity was more in boys on comparison with girls. Physical activity was the significant influencing factor of obesity among school children. Keywords: School children, Obesity, BMI, Prevalence. |
Abstract : Alarming High Levels of Energy Drinks Consumption among School Children in Hail, Northern of Saudi Arabia
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Abstract: Saudi Arabia (KSA) is one among the countries for top energy drink markets. Amid growing controversies globally surrounding the increasing usage of energy drinks by children, it is felt important to understand how these trends are reflected in KSA. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to explore the trends of energy drink consumption among, and differences between, middle and secondary school children, and the associated socioeconomic and behavioral factors. Randomly selected 1006 male children from secondary and middle schools from Hail region in KSA were included in the study, using a self-administered validated questionnaire. Results revealed that about 60% of school children were current energy drink consumers. Secondary school children were significantly (P<0.001) higher than middle schoolers in terms of both frequency and quantity. Concomitantly, unhealthy dietary and lifestyle behaviors were reported in significantly higher proportions (P<0.001) among secondary school children. Home was the first place for exposure for majority of children while unreliable resources were the major sources of knowledge about energy drink composition and health effects. Poor knowledge concerning energy drink composition was reported. Taste and being energized were the major driving forces for energy drink consumption. Higher disposable income on hand and poor lifestyle behaviors were all significantly associated with energy drink consumption. It can be concluded that high proportion of energy drink consumption was reported among school children in Hail, with higher proportions in secondary than middle schools. This matter raises the significance of mounting awareness of community concerning the ingredients and potential hazards of energy drinks. Keywords: Energy drinks, School children, Lifestyle Behaviors. |
Abstract : Interventions for Improving Young Children’s Dietary Intake through Early Childhood Settings: A Systematic Review
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Abstract: Early childhood settings (ECS) offer a unique opportunity to intervene to improve children’s nutrition. This paper reviews the literature on early childhood setting interventions that aim to improve children’s dietary intake. Environmental and individual determinants of children’s dietary intakes were also investigated. Prospective intervention studies targeting centres, staff, parents/caregivers or children, were reviewed. Methodological quality was assessed. Twenty six studies (14 weak, 12 moderate quality) were included. Interventions were delivered primarily via training workshops and/or written materials. Study findings favoured intervention effectiveness in 23 studies. Improvements were seen in children’s intake for 8 out of 11 studies assessing dietary intake outcomes. Small increases in fruit and vegetable consumption were observed in five studies. Most studies measuring parental or centre food provision observed post-intervention improvements across a number of food groups, including fruit, vegetables, whole grains and sweetened beverages. Significant improvements in child, parent and/or staff knowledge, attitudes or behaviours were observed consistently across studies. For those studies that included a comparison group, these improvements were observed only in the intervention group. ECS interventions can achieve changes in children’s dietary intake and associated socio- environmental- determinants, although the quality of current research limits confidence in study findings. Future intervention development needs to carefully consider the behavioural targets, modifiable determinants and utilise age-appropriate and effective behaviour change theory, in addition to inclusion of dietary intake outcomes. Keywords: Early childhood settings, child care, preschool, nutrition, diet, review. |
Abstract : Outcome Evaluation of a Pilot Study Using “Nudges”
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Abstract: Background: Every school day, over 31 million U.S. children eat school lunches. Unfortunately, students often do not choose the healthy options in the school cafeteria. This paper describes outcome results of a pilot study using “nudges” to improve elementary school students’ fruits and vegetables selections. Methods: A pilot study was conducted from January to May 2012, in six intervention schools and 2 control schools. A behavioral economics-based intervention was conducted using “nudges” or cues from the cafeteria (staff encouragement to select fruit and vegetables, food labels, “Harvest of the Month” posters), school (morning announcement messages, prompts regarding cafeteria food selections), and parents (school newsletter articles, parent listserve messages) to promote students’ selection of fruits and vegetables in the school cafeteria. The serving data from the point-of-service machine provided fruits and vegetables served per student per day. Results:There were no significant differences in the number of servings of fruits and vegetables served per student per day, averaged over the study period. Process data revealed low implementation of the intervention components, which may partially explain results. Conclusions: Low implementation of nudges led to non-significant results in this pilot study. However, providing environmental cues are important and warrant further research with full implementation. Starting 2012, the new meal pattern includes two vegetables and a fruit serving for lunch; and two fruit servings for breakfast. Minimal cost interventions should be explored to facilitate successful implementation of new school meal guidelines. Keywords: National School Lunch Program, fruit, vegetables, behavioral economics, environment, school, cafeteria. |
