Search

Results of community-based childhood obesity intervention programs do not provide strong evidence for their effectiveness. In this study, we evaluated the effect of the Thao-Child Health Program (TCHP), a community-based, multisetting, multistrategy intervention program for healthy weight development and lifestyle choices. In four Catalan cities, a total of 2250 children aged 8 to 10 years were recruited. Two cities were randomly selected for the TCHP intervention, and two cities followed usual health care policy. Children were selected from 41 elementary schools. Weight, height, and waist circumference were measured at baseline and after a mean follow-up of 15 months. Physical activity and adherence to the Mediterranean diet were measured with validated questionnaires. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) models were fitted to determine the intervention's effect on body mass index (BMI) z-score, waist-to-height ratio, Mediterranean diet adherence, and physical activity. Fully adjusted models revealed that the intervention had no significant effect on the BMI z-score, incidence of general and abdominal obesity, Mediterranean diet adherence, and physical activity. Waist-to-height ratio was significantly lower in controls than in the intervention group at follow-up (p < 0.004).Conclusions: The TCHP did not improve weight development, diet quality, and physical activity in the short term. What is Known: • There is inconsistent evidence for the efficacy of school-based childhood obesity prevention programs. • There is little evidence on the efficacy of childhood obesity intervention programs in other settings. What is New: • This paper contributes information about the efficacy of a multisetting and multistrategy Community Based Intervention (CBI) program that uses the municipality as its unit of randomization. • This CBI had no effect on the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity in the short term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background Materials and Methods Results Conclusion The consumption of ultra‐processed foods (UPFs) is associated with an increased risk of noncommunicable diseases and mortality in adults. The aim of this study was to analyse the association between mealtime television (TV) watching and UPF consumption in childhood.Participants in the SENDO project recruited in 2015–2023 were classified into three categories based on the frequency at which they watched TV during meals. Dietary information was collected with a validated 147‐item semi‐quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Generalized mixed models were used to compare mean UPF consumption between groups after accounting for the main confounders. The predictive margins of participants who had a free sugar intake >10% of their energy intake in each category were also calculated.Totally 970 subjects (482 girls) with a mean age of 5.00 years (SD = 0.85) were studied. Children who watched TV during meals ≥4 times/week consumed a mean of 4.67% more energy from UPF than those who watch TV <3 times/month. The adjusted proportions of children who had a free sugar intake >10% of their energy intake in the categories of <3 times/month, 1–3 times/week and ≥4 times/week exposure to TV during meals were 44.9%, 45.9% and 58.7%, respectively.TV watching during meals is associated with higher consumption of UPFs and a higher risk of exceeding 10% of TEI in free sugar intake in childhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to evaluate if screen time and parents' education levels are associated with adherence to a Mediterranean dietary pattern. This cross-sectional study analyzed a representative sample of 3333 children and adolescents (8 to 16 years) included in the Physical Activity, Sedentarism, lifestyles and Obesity in Spanish youth (PASOS) study in Spain (which ran from March 2019 to February 2020). Data on screen time (television, computer, video games, and mobile phone) per day, Mediterranean diet adherence, daily moderate or vigorous physical activity, and parents' education levels were gathered using questionnaires. A descriptive study of the variables according to sex and parents' education level was performed. Logistic regression models (adjusted by sex and weight status) were fitted to evaluate the independent association between screen time and Kids' level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (KIDMED) index, as well as some of its items. A greater amount of screen time was associated with worse adherence to the Mediterranean diet; a lower consumption of fruit, vegetables, fish, legumes, and nuts; and a greater consumption of fast food, sweets, and candies. A lower parents' education level was associated with worse adherence to the Mediterranean diet. It is necessary to promote the responsible, limited use of screen time, especially in children with parents with a lower education level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]