14^th International Conference on Childhood Obesity & Nutrition March 15-16, 2021 Berlin, Germany

Biography:

Kimberly Janiszewski is a fourth year doctoral student in Spalding University School of Professional Psychology’s clinical psychology program. As part of her training, she is completing a rotation in an integrated primary care setting where she provides brief therapy and intervention to an underserved population on the outskirts of Louisville, Kentucky. Kimberly strongly believes that mental health is just as important as physical health and that each one has significant impact on the other. Kimberly’s research interests include trauma, obesity, and resilience when facing chronic health conditions especially within pediatric populations.

Abstract:

The obesity epidemic has been of increasing concern in the United States for years (Ogden et al., 2014). According to the CDC, childhood obesity affects nearly one fifth of the children in the U.S. (Hales et al., 2017). Many of the widely known risk factors have been identified, however, there are other factors that are harder to identify (Agras et al., 2004). Research has established a relationship between stress and weight gain. Persistent and prolonged stressors can lead to an overreactive response to stress and the dysregulation of hunger hormones as well as maladaptive coping mechanisms such as overeating (Bose, Oliván, & Laferrère, 2009; Dallman et al., 2003; Sapolsky, 2004). An example of the types of stressors frequently associated with weight gain is traumatic experiences or adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). In addition to a heightened stress response, the emotional dysregulation resulting from trauma is frequently associated with disordered eating behaviors (Dye, 2018; Micanti et al., 2015). While adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been identified as risk factors for multiple health issues including obesity in adults, there is a lack of research identifying if this risk factor increases risk of obesity earlier in life as well (Felitti et al., 1998). To fully understand the childhood obesity epidemic and effectively implement preventative and remedial treatments, we must understand the impact traumatic experiences have on the health of children prior to adulthood, when the treatment of obesity-related illnesses becomes significantly more complex with varying comorbidities and other obstacles. By collecting archival data from electronic health records at community health clinics, this study plans to investigate relationships between pediatric patients with a history of ACEs and their BMI. Based on similar studies with adults, we expect children who have ACEs to have higher BMIs, and the severity increasing as number of ACEs increases. The results of this study have important implications for the treatment of pediatric obesity in primary care. Not only does it highlight the importance of educating patients on preventing the occurrence of ACEs, but it provides justification for early intervention provided by mental health providers in integrated healthcare settings. The processing of trauma with children and families and provision of education on healthy coping offers a new avenue for the treatment of pediatric obesity in primary care with the ultimate goal being prevention of childhood obesity, generating a more positive trajectory for health and wellness into adulthood.

Biography:

Mária Cardová is a PhD Candidate from Edge Hill University at the Faculty of Health, Social Care & Medicine.           
 

Abstract:

Aim and objectives:  The purpose of this study was to explore to what extent the deprivation status influenced children’s physical activity, dietary behaviour, and health outcomes such as weight status. 

Background: The United Kingdom’s childhood obesity rates are currently ranked among the highest in Europe. North West England deals with highest rates of childhood obesity. Data from the UK Millennium Cohort Study suggested a deprivation gradient to childhood obesity in England, with obesity rates being the highest in the most deprived areas. Traditionally, it has been individual conception of health, but the contemporary stance is that health behaviours affecting obesity are influenced by a broad range of factors operating at multiple levels. According to socio-ecological model of health behaviour, differences in obesity rates and health outcomes are likely explained by differences in lifestyle behaviours including physical activity and diet behaviours. However, higher rates of obesity among deprived children are not due to physical inactivity, in fact, most socially disadvantaged children are the most physically active. Poor diet including high consumption of fast food and sugar-sweetened beverages and low consumption of fruit and vegetables was found to be the most prevalent among adolescents living in poverty.

Methods: This study adopted quantitative approach. It consisted of combination of basic demographic data, anthropometry, and questionnaires.  Children (N = 165, mean age = 10.04 years; 53.33% female; 46.66% male) completed survey packs during school day including KIDSCREEN, Youth Activity Profile, Beverage and Snack Questionnaire, and Child Body Image Scale questionnaires as well as had anthropometric measurements taken including Body mass index, waist circumference, weight, and height. Children’s deprivation status was based on the English Indices of Multiple Deprivation scores of the school they attended.

Results: Children from more deprived areas had higher weight status, waist circumference. Deprivation status had also effect on some dimensions of the KIDSCREEN questionnaire, such as that those from more deprived areas felt less socially accepted and bullied by their peers, had worse feelings about themselves such as body image, and more difficulty with school and learning. Children from more deprived areas reported higher rates of physical activity and also differences in snack and fruit and vegetable intake than their more affluent peers

Conclusion: Results demonstrated that, children living in the most-deprived areas appear to be at greater risk of unfavourable health-related variables and behaviours and are exposed to home and neighbourhood environments that are less conducive to health-promoting behaviours compared to their peers from less deprived areas. These findings indicate that children living in highly deprived areas represent an important group for future interventions designed to promote health-behaviours that would impact on the quality of life of the child and other health variables such as weight status.

Biography:

Dr Mark Lemstra has nine university degrees including doctorates in public health, epidemiology and psychiatry. He is the owner of Alliance Health medical clinics in Saskatchewan, Canada

Abstract:

The Healthy Kids Initiative occurs in three cities in Saskatchewan, Canada for overweight or obese youth. The program includes 60 supervised exercise therapy sessions, 12 dietary sessions, 12 cognitive behaviour therapy sessions and significant social support (community, clinicians, family and friends) over a 12- week period. Support includes attending with a “buddy” and three signed social support contracts. Numerous objective and valid outcomes are measured at 12 weeks, 24 weeks and 52 weeks including body mass index, body fat percentage, waist and hip circumference, blood pressure, blood glucose, blood cholesterol, aerobic fitness, aerobic activity, physical activity, dietary consumption, self report health, health care utilization, smoking status, depressed mood and health related quality of life.

To date, 1,465 youth (91.6% completion rate) have completed the program.

At 12 weeks, modest weight losses are observed but significant health outcomes are attained. For example, the prevalence of depressed mood (measured by Beck Depression Inventory-2) is reduced from 59.4% to 24.0% (p = 0.000).