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<p>This thesis outlined a novel operationalization and extension of the thrifty phenotype and fetal overnutrition hypotheses, two evolutionary developmental hypotheses stemming from the developmental origins of health and disease perspective, for developmental pathways from prenatal risk through child growth to early puberty. Support has accumulated for both, but previous studies have not clearly determined which hypothesis better predicts early puberty. Using the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (<i>n</i>=4898), the thrifty phenotype and fetal overnutrition pathways were tested against each other, separately by sex, and race/ethnicity for adrenal, and gonadal pubertal markers. Results indicated that in general, both hypotheses were supported. Contrary to hypotheses, the thrifty phenotype pathway did not predict perceived pubertal timing better in boys and the fetal overnutrition pathway did not predict perceived pubertal timing best in girls. Instead, both pathways predicted puberty equally well between girls and boys and the fetal overnutrition pathway stemming from maternal gestational weight gain was stronger than the pre-pregnancy BMI pathway. Individual paths of the hypothesized pathways were generally supported when analyzed by race/ethnicity group separately, but support for the entire pathways were sparse. Implications of this work are that pubertal timing may be similarly programmed by restrictive and overnutrition prenatal risks, both should be prioritized, and that interventions for maternal gestational weight should be prioritized over interventions for pre-pregnancy BMI for reducing rates of early puberty. </p>

This master thesis aims on the means of how Czech children and youth spend their leisure time. Great focus is also given to attractivness of the activities. The problem addressed by the author in this thesis is the increasing percentage of the prevalence of childhood obesity in the Czech Republic and it's connection with the increase in technological dependency of children and youth. The main goal of this thesis is to describe whether there is a connection between the aforementioned phenomena. Another goal focuses on ways of spending free time and base on author's own research adresses the attractivness of the activities, i.e. which leisure time activities are more and less attractive for children and youth, what children enjoy in their free time and how they really spend it. For these purposes, the author sets up hypotheses in the thesis, the validity of which is addressed by the research questions in order to achieve the main objectives of the work. The author defines the basic concepts for better orientation in the text which is divided into analytical and empirical parts. The author even introduces two new concepts: the online world and the offline world. In the final part of the thesis the author suggests the possibility of connecting the online world and the offline world for further...

November 2011. "Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Occupational Therapy Department, College of Allied Health and Nursing, Nova Southeastern University." Childhood obesity has been identified as a serious public health concern for over a decade. To date, no one has examined the complex interactions which seem to be occurring within this epidemic using an exploratory approach. The purpose of this qualitative research study was to explore the complex interaction between the decisions mothers make when attempting to promote health in their children and the environmental factors which influence these decisions. A grounded theory approach guided this exploration. Eleven mothers of children aged 7-12 participated in this study. Data collection included two semi-structured interviews, personal diary entries, a parenting style questionnaire, and a demographic data sheet. Constant comparative analysis resulted in six main themes. These include: Managing Time, Managing Chaos; Managing Health from a Distance; Cultural Infatuation with Food (food is always available); Fluctuating Challenges and Supports; Strategies; and Resulting Actions/Interactions. Additionally, this research resulted in a proposition and substantive-level theory which helps illustrate and explain the complex interactions between the mothers and the surrounding context as well as the resultant influence on performance.

Abstract Introduction: Obesity amongst children is a major health problem. At the outpatient paediatric clinic at Södertälje hospital in Region Stockholm, there is a large and well-established treatment model against childhood obesity. During spring 2020 all elective care in Region Stockholm, including visits to the obesity team, was cancelled for 3 months due to relocation of health care professionals because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Aim: To investigate whether the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic affected the outcome of childhood obesity treatment at one outpatient paediatric clinic in Region Stockholm. Methods: A retrospective controlled cohort study comparing two groups regarding results of first year of obesity treatment for children. One group had their first year of treatment during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic and the control group before the pandemic. Data was retrieved from BORIS and complemented by a review of medical records. Results: Mean change in BMI SDS after one year of treatment in the Covid group was -0.10 units and in the control group -0.11 (ns). In the Covid group more patients quit the treatment programme and had a smaller number of visits to a nurse compared to controls. Conclusion: This study showed no difference in outcome regarding change in BMI SDS. However, it seems that the cancellation of visits might have affected the number of children lost to follow-up. Therefore, clinics should consider “digi-physical” care (e.g., via telephone, videocalls or other media) to secure the child and parents motivation and participation in the obesity treatment programme.

Data were collected from 60 parents of children 5-11 years of age to describe the parental and family factors and explore the associations of these factors with children's Body Mass Index (BMI) percentiles. Mother's made up 81.7% of the sample. Whites/Caucasians comprised 88.3% of the sample. Males comprised 51.6% of the child participants while females comprised 48.3%. Among the child participants, 38.3% had BMI equal to or greater than the 95th percentile, and 6.7% had BMI 85th to less than 95th percentile. Concerns about child weight (rs = 0.582), pressure to eat (rs = -0.433), and monitoring (rs = 0.348) were found to be significantly associated with children's BMI percentile. There are variations in influence of parenting and home environments on children's eating and physical activity, and in the eating and physical activity habits amongst families. Consideration of parental and family factors is needed in developing child obesity prevention programs.

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On behalf of the Appalachia Funders Network (AFN), with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, East Tennessee State University and NORC at the University of Chicago conducted a study to analyze the current burden of obesity and chronic disease in central Appalachia and identify promising practices and strategies that are having a positive impact on the reduction of obesity in the region. Central Appalachia consists of parts of Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Regional recommendations to reduce childhood obesity and improve the overall population’s health were developed based on a review of current literature, a survey, and focus groups with both community groups and funders.

On behalf of the Appalachia Funders Network (AFN), with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, East Tennessee State University and NORC at the University of Chicago conducted a study to analyze the current burden of obesity and chronic disease in central Appalachia and identify promising practices and strategies that are having a positive impact on the reduction of obesity in the region. Central Appalachia consists of parts of Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Regional recommendations to reduce childhood obesity and improve the overall population’s health were developed based on a review of current literature, a survey, and focus groups with both community groups and funders.

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