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Background/objectives Prediction equations generated from anthropometric measures are frequently used to quantify paediatric body composition. We tested the agreeability and predictive power of select (Lingwood and Aris) fat mass prediction equations against body fat measured via ADP; and generated and evaluated new anthropometry-based models for use in the first 6 months of life. Subjects/methods Data were obtained from 278 white European Australian infants at birth, 3 and 6 months. Prediction models (i.e. Baby-bod models) were generated for each time point via stepwise linear regression and compared for agreeability with ADP via limits of agreement, mean difference and total bias in Bland-Altman analyses. Predictive power of all equations in comparison to ADP were assessed using linear regression analysis. Results Overall, there was poor agreeability between percent body fat predicted via published equations and ADP. Proportional bias was detected for both methods (i.e. published equations and Baby-bod models) of body fat prediction. At birth, both Lingwood and BB0 equations overestimated percent body fat at the lower end of the FM spectrum. This trend was repeated at 3 months with all equations displaying a propensity to overestimate body fat at lower FM levels and underestimate at higher FM levels. Conclusions The results indicate that anthropometry, although less costly and relatively easier to implement, does not always produce comparable results with objective measures such as ADP. Given the importance of the accurate assessment of physical growth, including body composition in early life, it is timely to recommend the increased utilisation of techniques such as ADP., Author(s): Sisitha Jayasinghe [sup.1] , Manoja P. Herath [sup.1] , Jeffrey M. Beckett [sup.1] , Kiran D. K. Ahuja [sup.1] , Nuala M. Byrne [sup.1] , Andrew P. Hills [sup.1] [...]

Obesity is defined as an abnormal/excessive accumulation of body fat, associated with health consequences. Although overall obesity does confer a significant threat to the health of individuals, the distribution of body fat, especially abdominal/central obesity is of greater importance. For practical reasons, proxy anthropometric measurements have been developed to identify central obesity, however, major limitations are noted in these traditional measurements. The present study aims to evaluate the literature, to identify and describe non-traditional anthropometric measurements of overweight and obesity in children. The current systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, and the search was undertaken in the PubMed.sup.® database, using MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) terms. Data extracted from each study were: (a) details of the study, (b) anthropometric parameter(s) evaluated in the study and its details, (c) study methods, (d) objectives of the study and/or comparisons, and (e) main findings/conclusions of the study. The search yielded a total of 3697 articles, of which 31 studies were deemed eligible to be included. The literature search identified 13 non-traditional anthropometric parameters. Data on non-traditional anthropometric parameters were derived from 24 countries. Majority were descriptive cross-sectional studies (n = 29), while sample size varied from 65 to 23,043. Non-traditional anthropometric parameters showed variable correlation with obesity and/or related metabolic risk factors. Some parameters involved complex calculations, while others were based on a single anthropometric measurement or derived from traditional measures. Most studies lacked comparison with a 'gold standard' assessment of body fat, hence further research is required to determine their accuracy and precision., Author(s): Priyanga Ranasinghe [sup.1] , Ranil Jayawardena [sup.2] [sup.3] , Nishadi Gamage [sup.1] , V. Pujitha Wickramasinghe [sup.4] , Andrew P. Hills [sup.5] Author Affiliations: (1) Department of Pharmacology, Faculty [...]

Individual and health system barriers can impede clinicians from supporting weight-related behaviour change for pregnant women, particularly in publicly funded antenatal care accessed by women from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. The aim was to understand clinicians' experiences of supporting healthy gestational weight gain for pregnant women in a publicly funded antenatal setting. The work was undertaken to guide the implementation of systems changes, resource development, and workforce capacity building related to nutrition, physical activity, and gestational weight gain in the service. The qualitative descriptive study used purposive sampling and semi-structured interviews conducted between October 2019 and February 2020. Nine midwives and five obstetricians from a publicly funded hospital antenatal service in Tasmania, Australia participated. Interview transcripts were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. The three dominant themes were prioritising immediate needs, continuity of care support weight-related conversations, and limited service capacity for weight- and nutrition-related support. The subthemes were different practices for women according to weight and the need for appropriately tailored resources. Improving access to continuity of care and clinician training, and providing resources that appropriately consider women's socioeconomic circumstances and health literacy would enhance the ability and opportunities for clinicians to better support all women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Guidelines and other strategic documents were collated to understand the extent of the global use of terms postpartum and postnatal along with the duration and schedule of maternal care after delivery. Methods: Postpartum care guidelines and strategies published in English, by international organisations including the World Health Organization, and countries in either the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development or Group of 20 were included in this scoping review. All documents available online with unrestricted access and published before May 31, 2023, were included. The evolution of the World Health Organization's definition of the period after delivery for mothers and the changes in the schedule of routine maternal care following delivery over time were displayed pictorially. A summary table was then developed to present the level of similarities and differences in the latest available documents from the international organisations and countries belonging to either the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development or the Group of 20. Results: Ten documents from the World Health Organization, one from the European Board, and 15 country-level guidelines from six countries met the inclusion criteria. The interchangeable use of 'postpartum' and 'postnatal' is common. While the World Health Organization mentions the definitive length (six weeks) of the postpartum/ postnatal period, it is not stated in documents from other organisations and countries. Additionally, the length and schedule of routine maternal care after delivery vary substantially between organisations/countries, spanning from six weeks to one year with two to six healthcare contacts, respectively. Conclusion: Through this review, we make a case for a universal harmonisation of the term postpartum when referring to mothers after delivery; add clarity to the documents on the rationale for and duration of the postpartum period; and extend the routine maternal care schedule after delivery to support women in this vulnerable period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the availability of resources at an Australian university workplace to support the health, wellbeing, and transition to parenthood of female employees working during the preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum periods. Type of program or service: Workplace health promotion for female employees of reproductive age. Methods: A survey of female employees aged 18-45 years evaluated participant health practices, availability of work and parenting supports, and access to health and wellbeing resources in the workplace. Additionally, an environmental assessment was completed by employees with a knowledge of local healthy lifestyle supports and a minimum of 2 years' employment. The assessment documented site characteristics and availability of wellbeing facilities across 10 campuses. Results: There were 241 valid survey responses. Of 221 respondents to a question about workplace support, 76% (n = 168) indicated that the workplace should play a role in supporting the transition to parenthood and in health promotion, with 64.1% of 223 participants disagreeing with the statement "my health is not the responsibility of the university". Both the survey and environmental assessment revealed that access to parenting resources to support employee health and wellbeing were suboptimal. Lessons learnt: There is a misalignment between the needs of female employees working during these health-defining life stages, and the availability of resources to support those needs. Regulatory guidance may be required to navigate resource gaps within the work environment and address factors impacting the health and wellbeing of employees of reproductive age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The link between work and health outcomes for preconception, pregnant, and postpartum (PPP) working women is complex. Further, innovation and enhanced understanding are required to address the work‐related determinants of maternal obesity. However, workplace health promotion is not typically systems‐based nor attuned to the specific needs and context of individual PPP women. We propose that to improve health outcomes for PPP women, we must understand the pathways between paid work and health for the individual woman by taking a systems‐thinking approach. In this paper, we (a) outline the rationale for why the oversimplification or "dilution" of individual context may occur; (b) present a systems‐informed pathway model (the "Context‐Exposure‐Response" Model) and overview of potential work‐related impacts on health and wellbeing outcomes for PPP women using maternal obesity to provide context examples; (c) further investigate the role of motivational factors from a systems perspective; and (d) briefly examine the implications for policy, practice, and intervention design. It is anticipated that this research may act as a starting point to assist program developers, researchers, and policymakers to adopt a systems‐focused perspective while contributing to the health improvement and obesity prevention of PPP women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding food prices and affordability is crucial for promoting healthy dietary habits and informing policy actions. We assessed changes in the cost and affordability of habitual and recommended healthy diets in Northwest Tasmania from 2021 to 2023. The recommended diet was 16–22% less expensive than the habitual diet during the period. Notably, 60% of the total cost of the habitual diet was spent on discretionary items. The cost of the habitual diet increased by 9% in this period, whereas the cost of the recommended diet increased by only 2%. The habitual diet was unaffordable for households with median gross, minimum wage disposable or welfare-dependent incomes. The recommended diet, however, was affordable for some groups but posed a risk of food stress for those with median gross and minimum wage disposable income and remained unaffordable for those who were welfare dependent. Our findings reveal that adhering to a healthy Australian Dietary Guidelines-recommended diet can be more cost-effective than following a habitual unhealthy diet. However, adopting a healthy diet can be challenging for low-income families. Interventions such as financial support, nutrition education, community gardens and food hubs, as well as price regulation and subsidies for farmers, can help address food insecurity in Northwest Tasmania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite widespread acknowledgement of the multifarious health benefits of physical activity (PA), including prevention and control of obesity, an overwhelming majority of children and adolescents are not sufficiently active to realise such benefits. Concurrently, young people are significantly impacted by the rapid global rise of sedentarism, and suboptimal dietary patterns during key phases of development. Regrettably, the cumulative effects of unhealthy behaviours during the growing years predisposes young people to the early stages of several chronic conditions, including obesity. Clear and consistent approaches are urgently needed to improve eating and activity behaviours of children and adolescents. Based on existing evidence of "best bets" to prevent and control obesity and its comorbidities, we present a set of non-negotiable strategies as a 'road map' to achieving prevention and improving the health of children and adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Current global trends in physical activity levels demonstrate that the world is not on track to achieve the 2030 target set by the Global Action Plan. The Action Plan posited that physical activity should be an integral component of "daily lives" of all individuals "across the life course." Potential contributions to achieve global physical activity goals include the utilization of compositional data analysis and life course epidemiology to provide a framework for the composite nature of physical activity and complex life course relationships. Combining these two traditionally disconnected fields represents a paradigm shift in physical activity research. Here, we discuss how these combined fields enable a reinterpretation of previous research findings and explore their impact on policy and potential advantages and challenges. Careful consideration needs to be given to the implications of both fields remaining disconnected and the alternate option of consolidation to realize ambitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]