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Advances in Research on Nutrition and Childhood Obesity: 2nd Edition

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A special issue of Children (ISSN 2227-9067). This special issue belongs to the section "Global and Public Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 December 2023) | Viewed by 13089

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Dr. George Antonogeorgos

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1. Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences and Education, Harokopio University, 70 Eleftheriou Venizelou (Thiseos) Ave. Kallithea, 17671 Athens, Greece
2. Senior Research Associate in Pediatric Pulmonology 3rd Department of Paediatrics, National and Kapodistian Athens University, Univercity General Hospital “ATTIKON”, Rimini 1, Chaidari, 12462 Athens, Greece
Interests: childhood obesity; epidemiology; chronic diseases in childhood; research methodologies; structural equation modeling
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Dear Colleagues,

Obesity is a complex, multifactorial health problem that in recent decades has emerged as a major contributor to the morbidity of chronic diseases during childhood. The steep increase in the prevalence of chronic childhood diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is in accordance with the high rise in the obesity rates observed in all children populations, from toddlers to adolescents. Several lifestyle factors are being intensively researched since they are modifiable and could be easily used in preventive interventions; nutrition is among the most crucial of them. Either seen as micro- or macronutrient intake or as composite dietary patterns, the multiplex effect of the interrelated foods consumed by children—in innumerable types, sizes or frequencies—on the development or the exacerbation of several chronic diseases has not been thoroughly investigated. Thus, it is of great importance to create a Special Issue for the research of the nutrition and the obesity in childhood and adolescence.

Considering the success and popularity of the Special Issue "Advances in Research on Nutrition and Childhood Obesity" previously published in the journal Children (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/children/special_issues/Nutrition_Childhood_Obesity), we now release a second issue aiming to gather original research papers and review articles focused on children nutrition and obesity.

Dr. George Antonogeorgos
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Children is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

childhood obesity
diet
dietary pattern
child/children
adolescent
food groups
food
food item
Mediterranean diet
western-type diet
nutrient

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 563 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Dietary Patterns in Healthy Adolescents: Energy Balance, Nutrient Intake, Body Mass, and Serum Marker Alterations

by Ștefan Adrian Martin and Roxana Maria Martin-Hadmaș

Children 2023, 10(10), 1714; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10101714 - 22 Oct 2023

Viewed by 1207

Abstract

(1) Background: With shifts in daily dietary habits, concerns have arisen regarding potential impacts on metabolic health. This study sought to investigate the interplay between nutrient intake and its effects on the anthropometric and inflammatory profiles of young individuals. (2) Methods: Our approach examined the interrelation of caloric, macronutrient, and vitamin intakes with inflammatory markers, serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and other key metrics. The impact of these factors on body mass and inflammation was evaluated. (3) Results: This study found that while increased caloric intake corresponded to a rise in body fat mass, it did not significantly alter body weight, total protein, or fat profile. A dominant carbohydrate intake negatively correlated with vitamin B consumption. Interestingly, only vitamin K showcased a direct association with IL-6, while IL-8 remained unassociated with dietary intake and body mass metrics. (4) Conclusions: Dietary intake undeniably influences nutrient consumption and subsequently affects body mass metrics. Though an escalation in body fat mass was evident with increased food intake, the relationship between vitamins and inflammatory markers, based on macronutrient and caloric intake, remains inconclusive. The findings point to the potential regulatory roles of proteins and select vitamins in inflammation, emphasizing the need for deeper longitudinal studies to further validate these connections. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Research on Nutrition and Childhood Obesity: 2nd Edition)

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11 pages, 1092 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association between Dietary Behavior and Overweight and Obesity among Chinese Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Jia Hong, Qinghai Gong, Hua Gao, Jinghui Wang, Yanbo Guo, Danjie Jiang and Yan Zhang

Children 2023, 10(10), 1617; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10101617 - 28 Sep 2023

Viewed by 900

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Ningbo students and explore the association between students’ dietary behavior and overweight and obesity. Materials and Methods: A total of 7299 students were recruited, including 3755 males and 3544 females. A questionnaire on student health status and influencing factors was used to investigate dietary behavior. Logistic regression analysis investigated the relationship between dietary behavior and overweight and obesity. Age, gender, area, grade, sleep duration, and physical activity were adjusted in the multivariate regression models. Results: This study revealed that the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Ningbo students was 16.14% and 9.88%, respectively. The logistic regression analysis results showed that regular consumption of sugary beverages was associated with a higher risk of being overweight (OR = 1.256, 95% CI: 1.023–1.542, p = 0.029). The research indicated that skipping breakfast was considered a risk factor for obesity (OR = 2.102, 95% CI: 1.087–4.065, p = 0.027). After adjusting for age, gender, area, and grade and continuing to adjust for sleep duration and physical activity, the results showed that consuming fried food at least once a day increased the risk of obesity (OR = 1.494, 95% CI: 1.050–2.125, p = 0.026; OR = 1.516, 95% CI: 1.065–2.158, p = 0.021, respectively). This study found that the frequency of breakfast and the consumption of fried food, fresh vegetables, and fruits were not significantly associated with being overweight (p > 0.05). Conclusions: This study indicated that dietary behavior was related to overweight and obesity among Ningbo students. Further studies and more government support are required to confirm this study’s findings and address the current overweight/obesity problems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Research on Nutrition and Childhood Obesity: 2nd Edition)

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9 pages, 522 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Protein Intake, Source and Effect on Children’s Weight Status: An Epidemiological Study in Greece

by Stamatia Kokkou, Venetia Notara, Aikaterini Kanellopoulou, Areti Lagiou and Demosthenes Panagiotakos

Children 2023, 10(10), 1606; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10101606 - 27 Sep 2023

Viewed by 734

Abstract

The development of overweight and obesity during late childhood and early adolescence is one of the most critical issues in public health. Additionally, over the past few years, the consumption of protein has tended to increase in both children and adults. The present study aimed to evaluate whether the protein type, either plant- or animal-sourced, as well as the quantity consumed, could potentially have a relationship with excess body weight in children. A total of 47 primary schools were selected, and 1728 students, aged 10–12 years, were enrolled for the purposes of this study, leading to our final sample of 712. Physical measurements, such as weight and height, were measured, and children were separated into two weight status categories according to their Body Mass Index, which was obtained through the International Obesity Task Force criteria. Students’ diets were assessed through a questionnaire, and total, plant- and animal-derived protein intakes were calculated. Unadjusted analysis showed a statistically significant association between body weight and plant protein. After adjustment for overall energy intake, sex, age, and exercise, there was a statistically significant negative association between plant protein and excess body weight in children (OR: 0.964, 95% CI: 0.936; 0.992), but a lack of association for animal-sourced protein (OR: 1.002, 95% CI: 0.991; 1.013). Dietary plant-derived protein seems to have a positive effect on weight status in children, independently of total energy intake and physical activity; nevertheless, additional research is required in order to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Research on Nutrition and Childhood Obesity: 2nd Edition)

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13 pages, 1987 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association between Phase Angle and Body Composition of Children and Adolescents Diagnosed with HIV Infection

by Priscila Custódio Martins, Luiz Rodrigo Augustemak de Lima, Analiza Mónica Silva and Diego Augusto Santos Silva

Children 2023, 10(8), 1309; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10081309 - 29 Jul 2023

Viewed by 1025

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate how phase angle (PhA) is associated with subtotal and lumbar spine bone mineral density [BMD], lean soft tissue mass [LSTM], total body fat mass, android and gynoid in children and adolescents with HIV according to sex. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Florianópolis, Brazil, involving 64 children and adolescents vertically transmitted with HIV. Resistance and reactance values were obtained using bioelectrical impedance analysis, and PhA was subsequently calculated. Dual emission X-ray absorptiometry was used to assess body composition. Antiretroviral medication, physical activity (accelerometers) and skeletal maturation (wrist-carpal radiography) were used in the adjusted model. In males, PhA was directly associated with subtotal BMD (βadj: 0.65; R²: 0.38, p < 0.01) and lumbar spine BMD (βadj: 0.53; R²: 0.22, p = 0.01), directly associated with LSTM (βadj: 0.76; R²: 0.46, p < 0.01), and inversely associated with gynoid fat (βadj: −0.47; R²: 0.2, p = 0.01), in adjusted models. In females, PhA was directly associated with subtotal BMD (βadj: 0.46; R²: 0.17, p < 0.01) and lumbar spine BMD (βadj: 0.48; R²: 0.19, p < 0.01). It is concluded that PhA was directly associated with subtotal and regional BMD, LSTM, and inversely with gynoid fat in boys with HIV. In girls, PA was directly associated only with subtotal and regional BMD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Research on Nutrition and Childhood Obesity: 2nd Edition)

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11 pages, 294 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Eating Disorder Attitudes and Body Self-Image of Urban Mediterranean Adolescents

by Francisca Sempere-Ferre, Dolores Escrivá, Jordi Caplliure-Llopis, Inmaculada Benet and Carlos Barrios

Children 2023, 10(6), 962; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10060962 - 29 May 2023

Viewed by 1293

Abstract

Background: Early detection tools for eating disorders play an essential role in their prevention. The aim of this study was to analyze different variables associated with the risk of eating disorders and their relation to anthropometric parameters, nutritional status and body self-image. Methods: The Eating Disorder Invetory-3 Referral Form (EDI-3 RF) and the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) were administered to 809 adolescents (413 boys and 396 girls), aged 11 to 17 years, from three randomly chosen schools in a big Mediterranean city. Anthropometric measurements were taken following standardized methods. Overweight and obesity were determined according to the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF). Results: Overweight (23%) prevailed over obesity (9.37%). Girls registered a higher score in the Obsession for Thinness EDI-3 RF subscale and in the body dissatisfaction section of the BSQ. The only statistically significant differences in the Obsession for Thinness and Body Dissatisfaction levels among the different ages were seen in boys. In this series, body dissatisfaction assessed by the EDI-3 RF was not correlated with BSQ body dissatisfaction. Sex and age in adolescence determine the relationship between eating disorder attitudes and body shape dissatisfaction. Conclusions: It is necessary to look for other parameters to investigate to determine body dissatisfaction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Research on Nutrition and Childhood Obesity: 2nd Edition)

10 pages, 284 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Individual and Combined Association between Unhealthy Lifestyle Behaviors and Body Weight Dissatisfaction in a Sample of Adolescents from Southern Brazil

by Suellem Zanlorenci, Leticia Gonçalves, Tiago Rodrigues de Lima and Diego Augusto Santos Silva

Children 2023, 10(5), 821; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10050821 - 30 Apr 2023

Viewed by 1079

Abstract

The individual and combined association between unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and body weight dissatisfaction in adolescents was investigated. This cross-sectional research used data from 676 students (348 female), aged between 14 and 19 years old (mean of 14.6 years old) from southern Brazil. Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and body weight dissatisfaction were assessed through a questionnaire. Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors included smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, sedentary lifestyle, and poor diet, and were analyzed as individual factors and as combinations of behaviors. For males, smoking (OR: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.6–4.0) and the combination of smoking/excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages (OR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.1–5.8) were directly associated with the desire to reduce body weight, whereas the combination of smoking/inadequate diet (OR: 1.3; 95% CI: 1.0–1.6) was associated with the desire to increase body weight. For females, the combinations of inadequate diet/physical inactivity (OR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.0–2.5) and of smoking/excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages (OR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.4–2.8) were directly associated with the desire to reduce body weight. The presence of simultaneous unhealthy lifestyle behaviors is associated with bodyweight dissatisfaction in adolescents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Research on Nutrition and Childhood Obesity: 2nd Edition)

12 pages, 276 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Parental Education Moderates the Relation between Physical Activity, Dietary Patterns and Atopic Diseases in Adolescents

by George Antonogeorgos, Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos, Kostas N. Priftis, Evangelia Liakou, Alexandra Koutsokera, Pavlos Drakontaeidis, Marina Thanasia, Maria Mandrapylia, Dafni Moriki, Philippa Ellwood, Luis García-Marcos and Konstantinos Douros

Children 2022, 9(5), 686; https://doi.org/10.3390/children9050686 - 09 May 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1407

Abstract

Background: Atopic diseases, particularly asthma, eczema, and rhinitis, are among the most common chronic diseases in childhood, with several factors implicated in their pathogenesis. Our study examined the role of parental education in the association between diet, physical activity, and atopy in adolescents. Methods: 1934 adolescents (47.5% boys) aged 13–14 years old reported information about their diet and physical activity and their parents reported their highest educational level. The moderating role of parental education level (primary/secondary vs. tertiary) in the relation between lifestyle patterns and atopic diseases was examined with logistic regression analyses. Results: High consumption of dairy products was inversely associated to adolescents’ asthma and rhinitis symptoms overall, but this relation was almost 50% stronger for the adolescents with high parental education level background. The same pattern of reduction of the odds was noticed also regarding the association among the high intake of fruits, vegetables, pulses, with all three atopic diseases and the adherence to a physically active lifestyle only with current asthma and eczema (all p < 0.05). Conclusion: Adolescents who are physically active and consume a higher intake of fruits, vegetables, and pulses and a lower intake of fast-food and sweets, and their parents/guardians having higher education, are less likely to have any current symptoms of asthma, eczema, and rhinitis than the ones who have low educated parents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Research on Nutrition and Childhood Obesity: 2nd Edition)

Review

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16 pages, 1336 KiB

Open AccessReview

Micronutrient Deficiency in Children and Adolescents with Obesity—A Narrative Review

by Valeria Calcaterra, Elvira Verduci, Chiara Milanta, Marta Agostinelli, Carolina Federica Todisco, Federica Bona, Jonabel Dolor, Alice La Mendola, Martina Tosi and Gianvincenzo Zuccotti

Children 2023, 10(4), 695; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10040695 - 07 Apr 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3639

Abstract

Childhood obesity represents a serious public health burden. Despite excessive dietary consumption, children with obesity present high rates of micronutrient deficiencies, such as deficiencies in minerals and specific vitamins; micronutrient deficiencies may have a pathogenic role in obesity-related metabolic comorbidities. In this narrative review, we analyzed the main deficiencies associated with obesity, their clinical consequences, and the evidence about a possible supplementation. Iron; vitamins A, B, C, D, and E; folic acid; zinc; and copper deficiencies represent the most common deficient microelements. The relationship between obesity and multiple micronutrient deficiencies remains unclear, and different mechanisms have been proposed. The medical care plan for pediatric obesity should include food choices with high nutritional content as part of a crucial approach to obesity-related complications. Unfortunately, only a few studies are available regarding the efficacy of oral supplementation or weight loss for treating them; thus, continuous nutritional monitoring is necessary. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Research on Nutrition and Childhood Obesity: 2nd Edition)

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Other

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10 pages, 1764 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

The Impact of the ‘Planning Health in School’ Programme on a Pair of Twins with Obesity

by Margarida Vieira and Graça S. Carvalho

Children 2022, 9(12), 1866; https://doi.org/10.3390/children9121866 - 30 Nov 2022

Viewed by 1188

Abstract

This case study describes the impact of the ‘Planning Health in School’ programme (PHS-pro) on the nutritional status and lifestyle behaviours of two twins with obesity. As part of a larger research project involving 449 adolescents in grade-6, PHS-pro aims at preventing obesity and guiding children towards healthy behaviours. Twins were evaluated for anthropometric measurements—height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and lifestyle behaviours before (baseline) and after (8 months) PHS-pro and at a follow-up (one-year later). At the baseline, both twins were obese according to the international cut-off points of Cole. After PHS-pro, improvements in anthropometric parameters were found: the boy decreased his BMI by 10% and lost 9.0 cm in WC, while remaining obese; the girl decreased her BMI by 8% and lost 8.7 cm in WC, changing to the overweight category. At the follow-up, a slight increase in the anthropometric parameters was found in both twins; however, they did not return to the baseline values. The programme successfully promoted positive changes in behaviours and improved nutritional status, showing the long-term effects of the PHS-pro. Although it is a school-based intervention to prevent obesity, the PHS-pro is helpful in weight reduction even in children already with obesity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Research on Nutrition and Childhood Obesity: 2nd Edition)

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