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This study reviewed the link between social media and the growing epidemic of childhood obesity in Europe. A task force from the European Academy of Paediatrics and the European Childhood Obesity Group searched published literature and developed a consensus statement. It found that there was evidence of a strong link between obesity levels across European countries and childhood media exposure and that parents and society needed a better understanding of the influence of social media on dietary habits.Conclusion: Health policies in Europe must take account of the range of social media influences that promote the development of childhood obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Around one in ten adolescents suffer from chronic conditions and disabilities, and the transition from paediatric to adult care can be particularly challenging. Unplanned transfers can complicate education, work and health and result in patients being lost to follow-up, poor treatment adherence and more frequent hospitalisation. The Adolescent Health and Medicine Working Group of the European Academy of Paediatrics has developed a consensus statement for a successful transition.Conclusion: This statement will help paediatricians, adult care specialists, policymakers and other stakeholders to handle chronic care transitions so that they meet the expectations and needs of adolescents and their families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The aim of the study was to determine neurological and neuropsychiatric manifestations in a group of patients with previously undiagnosed or untreated phenylketonuria (PKU) in the south-eastern part of Poland. Methods The study was conducted among 400 adults with severe intellectual disability who were born prior to neonatal screening and who resided in Social Welfare Homes in south-eastern Poland. Participants were aged between 27 and 89 years (mean 51 years). The screening for PKU was performed by blood test using tandem mass spectrometry method (MS/MS) and analysis of organic acids in urine. Among all new identified untreated individuals, neurological symptoms were recorded and neuropsychiatric disturbances were assessed with The Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Nursing Home Version (NPI-NH). Results We found 10 previously undiagnosed and one previously diagnosed but untreated individuals with PKU (four women and seven men). The most commonly exhibited neurological manifestations included the following: profound speech disturbances, balance disturbances, muscular hypertonicity, muscular tremors and seizures. The most frequent behaviours included the following: aberrant/troublesome motor behaviour, agitation/aggression and euphoria/elation. Conclusion Data from the present study indicate that future treatment of these individuals should combine a dietary intervention with individual behavioural therapy and neurorehabilitation to improve general health and quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: World Health Organization defines obesity as abnormal or excess adipose tissue accumulation. Nowadays, this condition is a serious threat to the public health in most countries around the world. Obesity adversely affects physical, mental, and in most cultures, social well‐being. However, throughout the ages—from ancient times to the 21st century—this condition has been subject to various interpretations. As a matter of fact, obesity has not always been regarded as a disease. For many decades, excessive body weight has been considered rather a symbol of health. It was a marker of wealth and prosperity, as well as a sign of high social status. The centuries that passed on the development of science and medicine have gradually changed its face, but significant progress in understanding the causes and consequences of obesity has been made in the last 30 years. This paper presents the historical outline of obesity and its treatment from ancient times to the present—from its affirmation to the epidemic in the late 20th and 21st century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adiposity is closely related to hypertension (HTN) in paediatric population. However, which adiposity indicator is most associated with HTN among children and adolescents with intellectual disability remains unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between HTN prevalence and different adiposity indicators: body mass index (BMI) percentile, body fat percentage (BFP), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), waist‐hip ratio (WHR) and waist‐to‐height ratio (WHtR) in students with intellectual disability. Methods: Cross‐sectional study included a sample of 568 schoolchildren with intellectual disability, aged 7–18 years. Blood pressure, BMI, body composition, WC and HC were determined using standardized equipment. Results: Multivariate logistic regression showed that male gender, adolescence, high HC and excessive BFP were significant independent factors that increased risk of HTN occurrence in population with intellectual disability. Conclusions: Findings indicated that HC and BFP, in particular, may be helpful tools to detect HTN in population with intellectual disability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: While most of the time unconsidered, child and adolescent obesity has been also associated with impaired brain health and function that can definitely affect their social interaction and integration, and then well‐being and mental health. The European Childhood Obesity Group recently gathered experts in the field who discussed the main available and reliable evidence regarding the role of physical activity on brain health and cognitive functioning in children and adolescents with obesity and who propose here their main conclusions and recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]