Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Mediation Of The Association Between Social Environmental Characteristics Of Family Childcare Home And Weight Status In Children By Diet Quality., Qianxia Jiang, Patricia Markham Risica, Alison Tovar, Kristen Cooksey Stowers, Marlene B. Schwartz, Caitlin Lombardi, Kim M. Gans

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: The food and beverages served in family childcare homes (FCCHs) may play an important role in the development of childhood overweight and obesity. This analysis examines whether children's diet quality mediates the relationship between foods and beverages served in FCCHs and preschool-aged children's weight status.

METHODS: Trained and certified staff conducted observations for two days in each FCCH, using the Environment and Policy Assessment and Observation (EPAO) measure to determine the foods and beverages served to children (N = 370) in FCCHs (N = 120). They also used the Dietary Observation in Child Care (DOCC) protocol to assess children's …

Prospective Associations Of Neighborhood Healthy Food Access And Walkability With Weight Status In A Regional Pediatric Health System., Qianxia Jiang, Bethany Forseth, Lauren Fitzpatrick, Helena Laroche, Sarah Hampl, Ann M. Davis, Chelsea Steel, Jordan A. Carlson

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Most neighborhood food and activity related environment research in children has been cross-sectional. A better understanding of prospective associations between these neighborhood environment factors and children's weight status can provide stronger evidence for informing interventions and policy. This study examined associations of baseline and changes in neighborhood healthy food access and walkability with changes in children's weight status over 5 years.

METHODS: Height, weight, and home address were obtained for 4,493 children (> 75% were Black or Latinx) from primary care visits within a large pediatric health system. Eligible participants were those who had measures collected during two time …

Effects Of Covid-19 In The Status Of Childhood Obesity In The United States: A Literature Review, Ana Cruz

The Graduate School Posters

Introduction: The main hypothesis is that COVID-19 affects the prevalence of childhood obesity in the United States due the precautions needed to contain the pandemic.

Methods: The methods used in this semi-systematic literature review includes web-based research from the following sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Google Scholar, ResearchGate, and EBSCOhost. The search was limited to children ages 5 to 19 years old with diagnosed obesity.

Results: The review found that COVID-19 pandemic has greatly increased the rate of childhood obesity in the United States due to changes in diet, increased screen time, and less physical activity.

Discussion: There …

What Alternative Models Are Effective In Improving Health Outcomes In Children With Obesity In The United States?, Kelsey Reineke

Theses and Graduate Projects

Background: Obesity in children has increased at an alarming rate in the past three decades and has been associated with multiple comorbidities. This literature review has been focused on pediatric obesity management research utilizing Family-Based Therapy, community-centered interventions, behavioral modifications, and implementations for management within the Primary Care setting.

Purpose: There has not been an established standard of care for children suffering from obesity. This investigation was focused on the question; What alternative models are effective in improving health outcomes in children with obesity in the United States?

Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using Pub …

Effectiveness Of A Multi-Component Intervention Program For Treating Childhood Obesity, Suzy Free

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Childhood obesity is one of the most chronic childhood illness worldwide (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2019; World Health Organization [WHO], 2019). The prevalence of childhood obesity has been described as one of the most common chronic childhood conditions (CDC). The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to reduce the BMI scores of obese children using a multi-component intervention program that incorporates healthy eating, physical activity, and family involvement. The Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice (JHNEBP) model was used to facilitate the implementation of this EBP project. The synthesis of the appraised literature established that utilizing …

Parents As Agents Of Change In The Treatment Of Childhood Obesity And The Promotion Of Children's Health Behaviours, Kristen C. Reilly

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The overarching purpose of this dissertation was to investigate the role of parents as agents of change in the treatment of childhood obesity and the promotion of children’s health behaviours. In order to achieve this purpose, four studies were conducted. The purpose of Study 1 was to explore parents’ perceptions of nutritional literacy, as well as their needs for nutritional literacy information, supports, and resources at familial and community levels. Next, Study 2 described the theoretical components and model used in the development and implementation of a parent-focused childhood overweight and obesity intervention (i.e., C.H.A.M.P. Families). The purpose of Study …

Quality Of Life Associated With Physical Activity But Not Sedentary Time In Youth, K. Kattelmann, E. Hofer, C. Merfeld, J. Meendering, M. Olfert, J. White, S. Colby, R. Meade, L. Franzen-Castle, T. Aquirre, D. Matthews, A. White

Health and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

Purpose: It has been reported that youth who engaged in more screen time had lower quality of life scores compared to those that were more physically active. Furthermore, increased sedentary behavior increases health risks particularly the risk for obesity. A cross-sectional analysis was completed to examine the relationship between healthrelated quality-of-life (HRQOL) and accelerometer-measured sedentary time (ST) and physical activity (PA) in 9-10-yearold youth who were recruited for the family-based, childhood obesity intervention, iCook 4-H. It was hypothesized that objectively measured ST would be negatively correlated and PA would be positively correlated with HRQOL.
Methods: A subset of participants (n=118) …

Are Children Of A Diabetic Mother In Comparison To Children Of A Nondiabetic Mother At An Increased Risk For Developing Obesity In The First 10 Years Of Life?, Chhorn Pho

Theses and Graduate Projects

Body weight, glucose, insulin, and leptin were studied in children of mothers with gestational diabetes, type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Breast milk of diabetic mothers was also analyzed to study its relationship to childhood obesity. In the first 2 years of life, infants of mothers with gestational diabetes have no significant difference in weight gain but by the age of 10, most of the children birthed by any diabetic mothers were either overweight or obese. Children of mothers diagnosed with diabetes mellitus type 2 have higher resistance to insulin than children of mothers with other diabetes types. Leptin was …

Combating Childhood Obesity, Rebekah Misir

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Assessing childhood obesity in Danbury, CT and combating it through counseling.

Obstacles To Preventing Obesity In Children Aged 2 To 5 Years: Latino Mothers’ And Fathers’ Experiences And Perceptions Of Their Urban Environments, Carlos Penilla, Jeanne M. Tschann, Emma V. Sanchez-Vaznaugh, Elena Flores, Emily J. Ozer

School of Education Faculty Research

Background

The prevalence of obesity among Latino children is alarmingly high, when compared to non-Latino White children. Low-income Latino parents living in urban areas, even if they are well-educated, face obstacles that shape familial health behaviors. This study used qualitative methods to explore parents’ experiences in providing meals and opportunities to play to their children aged 2 to 5 years. In contrast to most prior studies, this study examined perceptions of familial behaviors among both mothers and fathers.

Methods

An ecological framework for exploring the associations of parental feeding behaviors and children’s weight informed this study. An interview guide was …

Childhood Obesity: Physiological And Psychological Implications And Ethical Responsibilities, Connie S. Lewis

Journal of Health Ethics

Childhood obesity continues to be a health concern in the United States with physiological and psychological consequences. Research conducted in schools may address the physiological effects and exacerbate negative psychological effects, including weight bias and stigmatization. In the home, children are dependent on parents/caregivers to provide a healthy diet and exhibit a healthy lifestyle.The ethical theory, ethics of care, emphasizes dependence and interdependence on others, and ethical and moral responsibilities in the parent/child relationship. The assurance of ethical considerations involving children in research and parental provision for healthy dietary provision is of utmost importance. Any action or inaction that results …

Regulating Kids' Meals To Combat Childhood Obesity, Y-Lan Khuong

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Obesity is an epidemic crossing genders, ages, socioeconomic status, geography, and race/ethnicity. In Vermont, 11.3% of 10 to 17-year old are considered obese, thereby increasing risk for numerous health issues. One contributing factor is an increased tendency to eat away from home. This project aims to provide qualitative evidence regarding response to policy setting nutritional standards for kids' meals in Vermont restaurants.

Energy, Nutrition, And Exercise: An Effort To Prevent Childhood Obesity In Vermont, Eric Franklin Bennett

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Childhood obesity is an epidemic in the United States affecting 17% of all children. In Vermont 12.5% of children are obese. This carries increased risk for many health problems and an increased cost of medical care averaging $19,000 per obese child over a lifetime. This project aims to teach children about healthy food choices and exercise.

Childhood Obesity: A National Emergency, Elaine E. Wang

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Childhood obesity rates and the related public health costs are rising every year. Many projects have addressed family education on the importance of diet and exercise. However, though patients reportedly understand this concept, they are still have challenges implementing their knowledge. We seek to address this discrepancy with an educational brochure based on suggestions for parents from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Raising Healthy Vermonters: Preventing Childhood Obesity By Establishing Healthy Habits, Melanie Ma

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

The State of Vermont has one of the lowest rates of childhood obesity in the country. While this statistic is encouraging, it does not make our communities immune. Many Vermonters struggle with obesity and its related illnesses, especially in rural, low-income areas of the state where the ability to afford fresh produce can be challenging.

To keep the rate of childhood obesity low in Vermont, children should be encouraged to establish healthy habits as early as possible. The goal of this project is to provide parents with effective and feasible ways to help their children develop healthy eating habits and …

Development Of A Nutrition Education Tool To Reduce The Risk Of Childhood Obesity In A Northwest Arkansas Hispanic Population, Katherine Ross, Mallori Sando, Cynthia Moore

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

The goal of this qualitative research project is to create a bilingual education tool to equip the participants of the English as a Second Language (EASL) class at the Elmdale Elementary School, in Springdale, Ark., to reduce the risk of childhood obesity in their children. Adults of Hispanic descent are at a high risk for developing obesity and so are their children. Children who are overweight and/or obese have a high risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other health complications. As a side effect of the language barrier some Hispanics experience, it may be difficult for …

Leadership In Food Policy: Raising A Foodie Part Ii, Ashyln Cook, Amy Moorehead, Kelly A. Way

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Obesity is experiencing a problematic rise in America. Children develop habits that potentially last a lifetime, which also dictate their medical fate. The focus of this study was to identify and decrease the factors of childhood obesity through education, healthy eating, and changes in food choices through surveys administered by the researchers. Previous research has linked obesity to the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and chronic diseases in children through decreased physical activity and poor diet due to the lack of essential nutrition knowledge. Other factors contributing to childhood obesity include poor food preparation/creation, deceptive advertising, cultural habits, and an …

Project Spraoi: A Strategy To Improve Nutrition And Increase Physical Activity In Primary School Children, Lisa Delaney

Masters

Introduction: Paediatric obesity has become a global epidemic with many countries developing strategies to help tackle its prevalence. School based physical activity (PA) and nutrition interventions have proven to play a promising role in tackling childhood obesity.

Background: Project Spraoi is an Irish primary school based intervention. The intervention was delivered to an intervention school to help enhance PA and nutritional behaviour amongst pupils. The intervention school was assigned an ‘Energizer’; a trained PA and nutrition change agent who worked with the school to achieve the objectives. For evaluation purposes a control school was recruited.

Methodology: Pupils from the intervention …

Effect Of Low-Carbohydrate, Unlimited Calorie Diet On The Treatment Of Childhood Obesity: A Prospective Controlled Study, James R. Bailes Jr., Misty T. Strow, Joseph Werthammer, Richard A. Mcginnis, Yoram Elitsur

Joseph Werthammer

Background: Childhood obesity has been recognized as the new epidemic in developed countries. Caloric restriction with physical activity is the main therapeutic treatment available for these children. We compared two different dietary protocols to assess treatment efficacy. Methods: Obese children from the Pediatric Endocrinology clinic were prospectively recruited for the study. Children and their parents were allowed to choose one of two dietary protocols: (1) carbohydrate restricted diet (<30 g/day), with unlimited calories, protein, and fat (High protein, Low CHO Diet), and (2) calorie restricted diet (Low Cal Diet). Anthropometric data were measured at baseline and at the 2 …

Effect Of Low-Carbohydrate, Unlimited Calorie Diet On The Treatment Of Childhood Obesity: A Prospective Controlled Study, James R. Bailes Jr., Misty T. Strow, Joseph Werthammer, Richard A. Mcginnis, Yoram Elitsur

Yoram Elitsur

Background: Childhood obesity has been recognized as the new epidemic in developed countries. Caloric restriction with physical activity is the main therapeutic treatment available for these children. We compared two different dietary protocols to assess treatment efficacy. Methods: Obese children from the Pediatric Endocrinology clinic were prospectively recruited for the study. Children and their parents were allowed to choose one of two dietary protocols: (1) carbohydrate restricted diet (<30 g/day), with unlimited calories, protein, and fat (High protein, Low CHO Diet), and (2) calorie restricted diet (Low Cal Diet). Anthropometric data were measured at baseline and at the 2 …

Pediatric Obesity Class: Teaching Kids How To Live Healthy Lifestyle, Sara Wilson Reece

Scholarly Posters

Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. At The Longstreet Clinic, PC, Diabetes Education and Medical Nutritional Therapy Department, and Pediatric Department have joined together to create the Pediatric Obesity Class to address the epidemic of pediatric obesity in the local community. In the class, the child and parent are taught about calories, how to develop healthy eating habits and become physically active as a family. Visual aids as well as hands on activities for both nutritional and physical activity components of class are utilized. Thus far, approximately 120 children along with their parent(s) have participated in …

Obesity And Other Predictors Of Absenteeism In Philadelphia School Children., Elizabeth B Rappaport, Constantine Daskalakis, Jocelyn Andrel

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Limited data indicate that obese children are absent from school more than their normal-weight peers. We analyzed administrative data from a large urban school district to investigate the association of obesity and student sociodemographic characteristics with absenteeism.

METHODS: We analyzed 291,040 records, representing 165,056 unique students (grades 1-12). Obesity status was classified according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention age- and sex-specific percentiles for body mass index (BMI) and analyses were based on negative binomial regression.

RESULTS: Overall rates of overweight and obesity were 17% and 20%, respectively, and the estimated absence rate was 17 absences per 180 …

Maternal Employment And Childhood Obesity Among Immigrant Families, Qi Zhang

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

There are continued interests to examine the relationship between maternal employment and childhood obesity. However, little research has been focused on childhood obesity among immigrant families with working mothers. This study used the Panel Survey of Income Dynamics (PSID) and Child Development Supplement (CDS) in 2002 and compared the impact of maternal employment on childhood obesity between immigrant families and US-born families. The positive effect of maternal employment on children’s body weight status was much stronger in immigrant families than in US-born families. The full-time employment status of mothers had strong and significant effect on immigrant children’s BMI (beta = …

Childhood And Adolescent Obesity: Nationwide Pediatric Healthcare Provider Practices And Their Role In Treatment And Prevention Of The Obesity Epidemic, Alison Farley

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

The purpose of this research is to explore screening and treatment patterns as well as the underlying provider confidence in their decision-making related to the overweight and obese child and adolescent patient. The screening and treatment of obesity in the child and adolescent population are affected by complex social implications and physical side effects. Without a clear consensus on screening, diagnosis and alternative treatment plans, healthcare providers will not maximize the opportunity to provide primary and secondary prevention to the growing epidemic.

Statistical analysis of secondary survey data was conducted to explore screening and treatment patterns as well as the …

Effect Of Low-Carbohydrate, Unlimited Calorie Diet On The Treatment Of Childhood Obesity: A Prospective Controlled Study, James R. Bailes Jr., Misty T. Strow, Joseph Werthammer, Richard A. Mcginnis, Yoram Elitsur

Pediatrics

Background: Childhood obesity has been recognized as the new epidemic in developed countries. Caloric restriction with physical activity is the main therapeutic treatment available for these children. We compared two different dietary protocols to assess treatment efficacy.

Methods: Obese children from the Pediatric Endocrinology clinic were prospectively recruited for the study. Children and their parents were allowed to choose one of two dietary protocols: (1) carbohydrate restricted diet (<30 g/day), with unlimited calories, protein, and fat (High protein, Low CHO Diet), and (2) calorie restricted diet (Low Cal Diet). Anthropometric data were measured at baseline and at the 2 month follow up appointment.

Results: Thirty-seven children completed the study of whom 27 chose High Protein, Low CHO Diet and 10 chose Low Cal diet. No differences in gender ratio, age, or …