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Background: Sleep apnea is a prevalent condition that disproportionately affects overweight individuals, with adolescents being an especially vulnerable subgroup due to the rising incidence of obesity in this age group. Understanding the prevalence and associated factors in this population is crucial for early intervention and management. Methods: This hospitalbased, cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of sleep apnea in 200 overweight adolescents aged 12-18 years. Participants were selected using a stratified sampling technique from the outpatient department of a tertiary care center. Results: The study identified a significant correlation between overweight status and the incidence of sleep apnea in adolescents, with detailed results highlighting specific risk factors and comorbid conditions. Conclusion: Our findings underscore the urgent need for targeted screening and therapeutic strategies in overweight adolescents to mitigate the risk of sleep apnea and its complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Overweight and obese adolescents are often associated with lower Physical Activity (PA) levels and low Cardiorespiratory Fitness (CRF). Recently, the concept of Physical Literacy (PL), has been suggested to be associated with higher levels of active behavior and better health in adolescents. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships between PL, body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity levels in French secondary school students. Methods: The level of PL was assessed in 85 French adolescents using a French version of the Perceived Physical Literacy Instrument (F-PPLI). Cardiorespiratory fitness was measured by the "20 m adapted walk/shuttle run test". The PA level was assessed by the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System questionnaire. Weight status was measured by the Body Mass Index (BMI) and the body composition data. Results: We find a significant association between the PL and the percentage Fat Mass (%FM) (r = −0.43; p ≤ 0.01), between the PL and moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) per week (r = 0.38; p ≤ 0.01). The PL was associated (r = 0.36; p ≤ 0.01) with the percentage of Skeletal Muscle Mass (%SMM) and cardiorespiratory fitness (r = 0.40; p ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: Developing the PL for the most disadvantaged secondary school students in a PA program could be a suitable strategy to increase their PA level, reduce their adiposity, and promote better long-term health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our study examined the association between hedonic hunger and body mass and whether caloric intake mediated the association between these constructs in adolescents. One hundred adolescents with overweight or obesity completed measures of hedonic food reward, dietary intake, and height and weight. Exaggerated hedonic food responses were associated with higher body mass. For 16% of participants who had high hedonic hunger, and high body mass, caloric intake mediated the association between hedonic hunger and zBMI. These results suggest that hedonic hunger may override the homeostatic need for energy and may be associated with increased caloric intake, potentiating weight gain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Overweight and obese adolescents are often associated with lower Physical Activity (PA) levels and low Cardiorespiratory Fitness (CRF). Recently, the concept of Physical Literacy (PL), has been suggested to be associated with higher levels of active behavior and better health in adolescents. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships between PL, body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity levels in French secondary school students. Methods: The level of PL was assessed in 85 French adolescents using a French version of the Perceived Physical Literacy Instrument (F-PPLI). Cardiorespiratory fitness was measured by the “20 m adapted walk/shuttle run test”. The PA level was assessed by the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System questionnaire. Weight status was measured by the Body Mass Index (BMI) and the body composition data. Results: We find a significant association between the PL and the percentage Fat Mass (%FM) (r = −0.43; p ≤ 0.01), between the PL and moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) per week (r = 0.38; p ≤ 0.01). The PL was associated (r = 0.36; p ≤ 0.01) with the percentage of Skeletal Muscle Mass (%SMM) and cardiorespiratory fitness (r = 0.40; p ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: Developing the PL for the most disadvantaged secondary school students in a PA program could be a suitable strategy to increase their PA level, reduce their adiposity, and promote better long-term health.

Abstract Background Child obesity is a major public health challenge, increasing the risk of chronic medical conditions such as type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and hypertension. Among U.S. states, Tennessee has one of the highest rates of child obesity. Emerging communication technologies can help to deliver highly disseminable population-level interventions to improve health behavior. The aim of this paper is to report the implementation and the evaluation of the reach of Memphis FitKids, a web-based application, intended to promote healthy behaviors for families and children. Methods A community-level demonstration project, Memphis FitKids, was developed and implemented in Tennessee’s Greater Memphis Area. This application (www.memphisfitkids.org) was designed for parents to assess their children’s obesity risk through determinants such as weight, diet, physical activity, screen time, and sleep adequacy. A built-in “FitCheck” tool used this collected information to create a report with tailored recommendations on how to make healthy changes. A Geographic Information Systems component was implemented to suggest low-cost neighborhood resources that support a healthy lifestyle. A social marketing framework was used to develop and implement FitKids, and a Community Advisory Board with representatives from community partners (e.g., the YMCA of Memphis, the Pink Palace Family of Museums, and the Memphis Public Library) supported the implementation of the project. Five kiosks distributed in the community served as public access points to provide a broad reach across socioeconomic strata. Presentations at community events and the use of Facebook facilitated the promotion of FitKids. Website traffic and Facebook usage were evaluated with Google Analytics and Facebook Insights, respectively. Results In Tennessee, 33,505 users completed 38,429 FitCheck sessions between July 2014 and December 2016. Among these, 6763 sessions were completed at the five kiosks in the community. FitKids was presented at 112 community events and the social media posts reached 23,767 unique Facebook users. Conclusions The Memphis FitKids demonstration project showed that web-based health tools may be a viable strategy to increase access to information about healthy weight and lifestyle options for families. Mobile-friendly web-based applications like Memphis FitKids may also serve health professionals in their efforts to support their clients in adopting healthy behaviors.

Background: Overweight and obesity is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality as well as reduced life expectancy. Objectives: The objectives of the study was to assess and compare the dietary habits among overweight adolescents before and after teaching and text message based intervention in experimental and comparison group, to determine the association of dietary habits among overweight adolescents with their selected variables in experimental and comparison group. Methodology: A quasi experimental non equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used for the study. Fifty nine (59) overweight adolescents were selected by using purposive sampling technique. The data was collected by rating scale to assess the dietary habits for overweight. Results and Conclusion: The findings revealed that mean post test score of dietary habits (29.5 ± 2.55) was significantly higher in experimental group than mean post test score of dietary habits. There was a significant association found between post test of dietary habits of experimental group with BMI (p=0.02) and with age (p=0.05) in comparison group. It was concluded from the study that teaching and text message based intervention was effective in improving the dietary habits among overweight adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The impact of sugar restriction on subsequent sugar intake by overweight adolescents is unknown. Objective Our aim was to examine the effect of sugar restriction on subsequent ad libitum sugar intake by overweight adolescents and whether habitual sugar intake and impulsivity influence the effect of sugar restriction on subsequent sugar intake. Design This was an in-laboratory crossover feeding trial with sugar-exposure and sugar-restriction conditions. Participants/setting Eighty-seven overweight Latino and African-American adolescents underwent both meal conditions in two separate 8-hour in-laboratory visits. Intervention Participants had access to ad libitum snack trays for 3 hours after the condition-specific meals. Main outcome measures Ad libitum sugar intake during the snack period was measured at each visit. Habitual sugar intake and impulsivity were assessed at baseline. Statistical analyses performed Repeated measures analysis of covariance was used to examine the within-person effect of meal condition on ad libitum sugar intake. Mixed models were used to examine the moderating effects of habitual sugar intake and impulsivity on the meal condition−ad libitum sugar intake relationship. Results Participants consumed more ad libitum sugar during the snack period in the sugar-restriction condition than in the sugar-exposure condition (sugar restriction=78.63±38.84 g, sugar exposure=70.86±37.73 g; F =9.64, P =0.002). There was no relationship between habitual sugar intake and how much ad libitum sugar participants consumed during either condition. Higher impulsivity was associated with greater ad libitum sugar intake during both conditions (sugar restriction: b=.029, standard error=.01, P <0.05; sugar exposure: b=.034, standard error=.01, P <0.05). Conclusions Findings suggest that overweight adolescents restricted from sugar intake consume greater amounts of sugar when they are later given access to high-sugar foods. Overweight adolescents with higher impulsivity appear to consume greater amounts of sugar regardless of previous levels of sugar consumption. Compensatory sugar intake and trait impulsivity may have implications for dietary interventions in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Inactivity is a primary factor related to childhood obesity, yet aerobic exercise has been shown to prevent weight gain and improve fitness in adolescents. Moreover, children become less active during their summer break from school. This study compared the effects of 4 and 8 weeks of supervised summer activity versus an unsupervised summer break on metabolic function and fitness in adolescents. Methods: Twenty-two adolescents were divided into 4-week ( n=6, weight 48.1±14.9 kg, body fat 27.4±8.4%) and 8-week exercise groups ( n=6, weight 43.4±10.9 kg, body fat 28.5±12.8%), that performed supervised, play-based physical activity, versus an age-matched 8 week control group that maintained their typical summer break ( n=10, weight 41.7±10.0 kg, body fat 23.7±8.0%). Anthropometrics, resting energy expenditure (REE), resting heart rate (RHR) and peak aerobic capacity (VO 2peak) were evaluated before and after the intervention (4 or 8 weeks). Results: REE showed group differences in posttraining conditions (the 4-week group vs. the control group, 1220±169 vs. 1067±144 kcal/die, and the 8-week group vs. the control group, 1202±151 vs. 1067±144 kcal/die, P=0.047), but RHR decreased (pre-program vs. post program: 97±22 vs. 80±8 beat/min, P=0.001) and VO 2peak significantly increased (pre-program vs. post program: 27.8±7.8 vs. 34.8±6.5 mL/kg/min, P=0.001) in the 8-week group compared to the control group. Conclusions: Eight weeks of supervised play-based activity increased REE and VO 2peak in adolescents with concomitant decreases in RHR. These data suggest that this novel model of exercise prescription could be considered world-wide by clinicians to improve fitness base in adolescents and help to combat the growing epidemic of childhood obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between academic achievement and being overweight among South Korean high school students was examined. Data used in the regression were from the Korean Education and Employment Panel Survey. The theoretical framework that poor school performance increases the risk of adolescents’ being overweight, which, in turn, causes poor school performance, was supported. With no other direct or indirect association between weight and achievement, an overweight high school student’s poor performance in school was assumed to be a function of the psychosocial well-being variables and self-concern about weight. A simultaneous-equation regression model that endogenized the likelihood an individual is classified as overweight (a binary variable) and the performance of that individual on the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) incorporates the unobserved psychosocial well-being correlated with both school grades and being overweight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Obesity is reaching epidemic proportions worldwide and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Some mechanisms linking obesity with cardiovascular disease (CVD) are metabolic and hormonal alterations such as dyslipidemia, hyperuricemia and hyperleptinemia. These mechanisms are well studied in the elderly population, but data concerning adolescents are still scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate body-weight associated alterations of these risk factors in young men, aged 17–20 years. Methods: The cross-sectional study included 80 men, divided into two groups according to their body mass index (BMI: cutoff=25kg/m2): group N (normal: n =55; BMI <25; age 17.9±1.5 years), and group OW/O (overweight/obese: n =25; BMI>25; age 17.9±1.6 years). Anthropometric indices included BMI, waist circumference, and waist/hip ratio. Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), uric acid and leptin/adiponectin (L/A) ratio were determined in both groups. Data were analyzed using variation and correlation tests from SPSS 10.0. Values are expressed as mean±standard deviation (SD). Results: TC and TG were significantly higher in the OW/O group in comparison with the controls (4.59±0.93 versus 4.05±0.71, and 1.46±0.78 versus 1.04±0.46 mmol/l, respectively, p <0.05 for both). In the OW/O group, blood pressure, L/A ratio, and uric acid were also significantly higher compared with group N (0.68±0.81 versus 0.14±0.14 for L/A ratio, p <0.01, and 385.0±74.6 versus 344.6±65.3μmol/L for uric acid, p <0.05). The L/A ratio in the control group correlated significantly with body weight, waist circumference and TG levels, and with body weight, BMI, waist circumference and uric acid in the OW/O group. Uric acid correlated significantly with anthropometric parameters in both groups. Conclusions: Our data indicate that unfavorable metabolic and hormonal alterations occur early in overweight subjects, while they are still clinically healthy. In the OW/O group both L/A ratio and uric acid are more strongly associated with anthropometric indices, which suggests that they can be modified by lifestyle interventions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives:To examine the magnitude of overweight and its association with blood pressure (BP) among adolescents.Design:Cross-sectional study with all children in age range 9–16 years (n=1146 boys and 1077 girls) from two schools catering to urban affluent high socio-economic class (HSE), for anthropometric measurements by trained investigators and BP measurement by a pediatrician using sphygmomanometer.Results:The prevalence of overweight based on conventional body mass index (BMI) cutoff was 27.5% for boys and 20.9% for girls but varied for different indicators. Prevalence of high systolic blood pressure (HSBP) was 12.0% in boys and 9.7% in girls and increased with increasing levels of BMI, weight, triceps skin fold thickness (TSFT) and percent body fat. Mean level of SBP among overweight children was significantly (P<0.001) higher by about 12 mm Hg, whereas that for diastolic blood pressure was higher by 8 mm Hg (P<0.001) as compared to their non-overweight (age, sex-matched) counterparts. This was true in both sexes and for all indicators used for assessing overweight. Prevalence of HSBP increased suddenly beyond BMI value of 20 kg/m2 in boys and 21.5 kg/m2 in girls, beyond TSFT value of 12 mm for boys and 14 mm for girls whereas such cutoffs for body fat were above 25% in both sexes. These cutoffs appear much lower than the conventional ones and therefore indicate the need for validation of conventional cutoffs in different populations.Conclusions:Our findings highlight that BP measurement needs to be a routine part of physical examination in school children, and the use of cutoffs anchored to metabolic risks may be essential for assessment of obesity.European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2007) 61, 633–641. doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602555; published online 29 November 2006 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study used cross-validation and discriminant analysis to evaluate the construct and discriminant validity of Adolescent Health Promotion (AHP) scale between the overweight and nonoverweight adolescents in Taiwan. A cross-sectional survey method was used and 660 adolescents participated in this study. Cluster and discriminant analyses were used to analyze the data. Our findings indicate that the AHP is a valid and reliable scale to discriminate between the health-promoting behaviors of overweight and nonoverweight adolescents. For the total scale, cluster analyses revealed two distinct patterns, which we designated the healthy and unhealthy groups. Discriminate analysis supported this clustering as having good discriminant validity, as nonoverweight adolescents tended to be classified as healthy, while the overweight tended to be in the unhealthy group. In general, overweight adolescents practiced health-related behaviors at a significantly lower frequency than the nonoverweight. These included exercise behavior, stress management, life appreciation, health responsibility, and social support. These findings can be used to further develop and refine knowledge of adolescent overweight and related strategies for intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Purpose: To examine how differences in body satisfaction may influence weight control behaviors, eating, weight and shape concerns, and psychological well-being among overweight adolescents. Methods: A group of 103 overweight adolescents completed a survey assessing body satisfaction, weight control behaviors, eating-related thoughts and behaviors, importance placed on thinness, self-esteem, anger, and symptoms of depression and anxiety between 2004 and 2006. Logistic regression analyses compared overweight adolescents with high and low body satisfaction. Results: Higher body satisfaction was associated with a lower likelihood of engaging in unhealthy weight control behaviors, less frequent fears of losing control over eating, and less importance placed on thinness. Overweight adolescents with higher body satisfaction reported higher levels of self-esteem and were less likely to endorse symptoms of depression, anxiety, and anger than overweight adolescents with lower body satisfaction. Conclusions: Adolescents with higher body satisfaction may be protected against the negative behavioral and psychological factors associated with overweight. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Child obesity is a major public health challenge, increasing the risk of chronic medical conditions such as type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and hypertension. Among U.S. states, Tennessee has one of the highest rates of child obesity. Emerging communication technologies can help to deliver highly disseminable population-level interventions to improve health behavior. The aim of this paper is to report the implementation and the evaluation of the reach of Memphis FitKids, a web-based application, intended to promote healthy behaviors for families and children.Methods: A community-level demonstration project, Memphis FitKids, was developed and implemented in Tennessee's Greater Memphis Area. This application ( www.memphisfitkids.org ) was designed for parents to assess their children's obesity risk through determinants such as weight, diet, physical activity, screen time, and sleep adequacy. A built-in "FitCheck" tool used this collected information to create a report with tailored recommendations on how to make healthy changes. A Geographic Information Systems component was implemented to suggest low-cost neighborhood resources that support a healthy lifestyle. A social marketing framework was used to develop and implement FitKids, and a Community Advisory Board with representatives from community partners (e.g., the YMCA of Memphis, the Pink Palace Family of Museums, and the Memphis Public Library) supported the implementation of the project. Five kiosks distributed in the community served as public access points to provide a broad reach across socioeconomic strata. Presentations at community events and the use of Facebook facilitated the promotion of FitKids. Website traffic and Facebook usage were evaluated with Google Analytics and Facebook Insights, respectively.Results: In Tennessee, 33,505 users completed 38,429 FitCheck sessions between July 2014 and December 2016. Among these, 6763 sessions were completed at the five kiosks in the community. FitKids was presented at 112 community events and the social media posts reached 23,767 unique Facebook users.Conclusions: The Memphis FitKids demonstration project showed that web-based health tools may be a viable strategy to increase access to information about healthy weight and lifestyle options for families. Mobile-friendly web-based applications like Memphis FitKids may also serve health professionals in their efforts to support their clients in adopting healthy behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]