scholarly journals Paediatric obesity and brain functioning: The role of physical activity—A novel and important expert opinion of the European Childhood Obesity Group

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Esteban‐Cornejo ◽  
John Reilly ◽  
Francisco B. Ortega ◽  
Pawel Matusik ◽  
Artur Mazur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Expert Opinion ◽  
Brain Functioning ◽  
Paediatric Obesity

Developing the capacity of general practice staff to support healthier weight status in children

2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. bjgp18X697037
Author(s):  
Raheelah Ahmad ◽  
Vida Cunningham ◽  
Bimpe Oki ◽  
Fiona Sim
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
General Practice ◽  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Capacity Building ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Care Pathway ◽  
Overweight Child ◽  
Healthy Weight

BackgroundLambeth has implemented a healthy weight care pathway including capacity building of multi-agency staff. Successes include being the only borough in the country to see statistical reductions in childhood obesity over 5 years; but the challenge of 39.2% of 10–11-year olds leaving primary school as overweight/obese persists. When families approach GPs to validate the National Child Measurement Programme feedback, challenges include interpretation and explanation of body mass index (BMI). GPs have also felt uncomfortable raising the issue in routine consultations.AimTo understand potential enablers to raising the issue of unhealthy weight in children in general practice.Method70 staff (GPs 58%; Nurses 25%; GP registrar/trainee 7%; and HCA/other 10%) completed a bespoke childhood obesity capacity building workshop (accredited by the Royal College of GPs). Using scenario-based activities and end of session written questionnaire we gathered: knowledge and perceptions of weight measures, role of diet, nutrition and physical activity, as well as current blocks and potential enablers for brief intervention.ResultsLess than 5% of participants were able to identify a very overweight child by visual inspection. Confidence in raising the issue was reported due to enhanced knowledge of energy intake, physical activity and provision of a BMI wheel (40%), new ways of raising the issue (30%), understanding of supportive services in Lambeth (30%).ConclusionSupportive measures identified within a whole systems approach including role of schools, government, public health and the CCG are informing future planning.

scholarly journals Brown Adipose Tissue: New Challenges for Prevention of Childhood Obesity. A Narrative Review

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1450
Author(s):  
Elvira Verduci ◽  
Valeria Calcaterra ◽  
Elisabetta Di Profio ◽  
Giulia Fiore ◽  
Federica Rey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Brown Adipose Tissue ◽  
Pediatric Obesity ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Brown Adipose ◽  
New Challenges

Pediatric obesity remains a challenge in modern society. Recently, research has focused on the role of the brown adipose tissue (BAT) as a potential target of intervention. In this review, we revised preclinical and clinical works on factors that may promote BAT or browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) from fetal age to adolescence. Maternal lifestyle, type of breastfeeding and healthy microbiota can affect the thermogenic activity of BAT. Environmental factors such as exposure to cold or physical activity also play a role in promoting and activating BAT. Most of the evidence is preclinical, although in clinic there is some evidence on the role of omega-3 PUFAs (EPA and DHA) supplementation on BAT activation. Clinical studies are needed to dissect the early factors and their modulation to allow proper BAT development and functions and to prevent onset of childhood obesity.

Training Staff of Afterschool Programs on Healthy Eating and Physical Activity: Opportunity to Reduce Childhood Obesity

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 230-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly Nerud ◽  
Matthew Steiner
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Role Models ◽  
Intervention Programs ◽  
Afterschool Programs ◽  
Positive Role ◽  
Daily Routines ◽  
Physical Activity Opportunity

Escalating obesity rates among children across the nation has prompted interest in investigating the role of afterschool programs in the promotion of healthy eating and physical activity among participating children. This approach facilitates intervention programs that will be supported in daily routines of staff. Children need positive role models; the work could be a challenging process and will require staff willingness and assistance.

Physical activity interventions in the prevention and treatment of paediatric obesity: systematic review and critical appraisal

2003 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 611-619 ◽  
Author(s):  
John J. Reilly ◽  
Zoe C. McDowell
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Sedentary Behaviour ◽  
Critical Appraisal ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Rapid Expansion ◽  
Paediatric Obesity ◽  
Prevention And Treatment

Interventions for prevention and treatment of childhood obesity typically target increases in physical activity and, more recently, reductions in physical inactivity (sedentary behaviour such as television viewing). However, the evidence base for such strategies is extremely limited. The main aim of the present review was to update the systematic review and critical appraisal of evidence in the light of the recent rapid expansion of research in this area. Randomised controlled trials (RCT) that targeted activity or inactivity, that followed up children or adolescents for at least 1 year and that included an objective weight-related outcome measure were included. Trials were appraised using previously published criteria (Harbour & Miller, 2001), and literature search strategies described previously (Reilly et al. 2002) were updated to May 2002. A total of four new RCT, two new systematic reviews and one meta-analysis were identified. The evidence base has increased markedly since the completion of earlier reviews, although high-quality evidence is still lacking. The evidence on childhood obesity prevention is not encouraging, although promising targets for prevention are now clear, notably reduction in sedentary behaviour. There is stronger evidence that targeting activity and/or inactivity might be effective in paediatric obesity treatment, but doubts as to the generalisability of existing interventions, and the clinical relevance of the interventions is unclear. Further research in settings outside the USA is urgently needed, and two ongoing RCT in Scotland are summarised.

scholarly journals The Role of Chronic Physical Activity in Alleviating the Detrimental Relationship of Childhood Obesity on Brain and Cognition

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shu-Shih Hsieh ◽  
Lauren B. Raine ◽  
Francisco B. Ortega ◽  
Charles H. Hillman
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Motor Coordination ◽  
Functional Brain Imaging ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Excess Adiposity ◽  
Relationship Of

Abstract Childhood obesity and its negative relation with children’s brain health has become a growing health concern. Over the last decade, literature has indicated that physical activity attenuates cognitive impairment associated with obesity and excess adiposity in children. However, there is no comprehensive review that considers the extent to which these factors affect different domains of cognition. This narrative review comprehensively summarizes behavioral, neuroimaging, and neuroelectric findings associated with chronic physical activity and fitness on brain and cognition in childhood obesity. Based on the literature reviewed, increased adiposity has a demonstrated relationship with neurocognitive health via mechanisms triggered by central inflammation and insulin resistance, with the most pronounced decrements observed for cognitive domains that are prefrontal- and hippocampal-dependent. Fortunately, physical activity, especially interventions enhancing aerobic fitness and motor coordination, have demonstrated efficacy for attenuating the negative effects of obesity across different subdomains of structural and functional brain imaging, cognition, and multiple academic outcomes in children with overweight or obesity. Such mitigating effects may be accounted for by attenuated central inflammation, improved insulin sensitivity, and increased expression of neurotrophic factors. Lastly, individual differences appear to play a role in this relationship, as the manipulation of physical activity characteristics, the employment of a wide array of cognitive and academic measures, the inclusion of different adiposity measures that are sensitive to neurocognitive function, and the utilization of an inter-disciplinary approach have been found to influence the relationship between physical activity and excess adiposity on brain and cognition.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document