Search

Background and Aim Considering the importance of childhood obesity and easier correction of related factors in this age group, the present study aimed to investigate the role of some factors related to family, nutrition, and lifestyle on childhood obesity. Methods & Materials This age-matched case-control study was performed on 150 obese and 150 healthy children, aged 2-15 years referring to Amir-Kabir Hospital in Arak City, Iran. Obesity was calculated based on Body Mass Index (BMI). Required information, including family factors, nutritional factors, and lifestyle characteristics were collected by a checklist. Ethical Considerations This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.ARAKMU.REC.1396.119). Results The results of Odds Ratio (OR) with 95% of Confidence Interval (CI) were in favor of father’s age of 25-35 and over 35 years (0.24), respectively, father’s overweight and obesity (3.87 and 3.57), mother’s overweight and obesity (3.81 and 5.5)7, more than three children per household (3.33), low and high consumption of fruits and vegetables (0.3 and 0.19), breakfast eating (0.43), dietary supplementation (2.68), consuming fast food (3.98), more than two hours of playing a computer game (3.5), chewing well (0.38), using food as a reward (1.89), as well as participating in food and table preparation (3.14). We found a dose-response association between children’s obesity and parents’ BMI, the number of children, and computer games. Conclusion Obesity is associated with some factors related to the family, such as nutrition, computer games, and lifestyle characteristics. Due to various risk factors and adjustable safeguards, it is necessary to provide families and children with proper education to reduce obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim Obesity is a clinical condition that affects the growth-related hormonal system, especially in adolescents. High-Intensity Intermittent Training (HIIT) might reduce such destructive effects. Methods & Materials In this quasi-experimental research, among adolescent boys [age: 13-18 years, height: 154±8 cm, Body Mass Index (BMI): 27.05±1.4 kg/m²], 30 volunteer subjects were selected. The study participants were divided into 3 groups of short-term and long-term periodic exercises as well as controls. The short-term exercise group performed 9 bouts of 30 seconds with 150-second breaks between sessions; the long-term exercise group performed 4 bouts of 150 seconds with 240-second breaks between sessions 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Body composition and blood samples were obtained 48 hours before and after conducting the training protocol to measure the desired parameters. The changes of each index were analyzed by repeated-measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at the significant level of P<0.05. Ethical Considerations This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Tabriz University (Code: IR.TABRIZU.REC.1398.021). Results After 8 weeks of HIIT, growth hormone increased and thigh, arm circumference, and fat percentages decreased (P<0.05). However, no changes were detected in the insulin-like growth factor I, BMI, and weight of the examined subjects (P>0.05). Conclusion Short- and long-term HIIT have the potential to improve the growth hormone status and body composition of overweight adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]