The purpose of this study was two-fold: (a) to identify, in a large representative sample of Canadian children, the age-related trajectories of overweight and obesity from toddlerhood into childhood and (b) to investigate the associations between these trajectories and children’s temperaments, their parents’ parenting practices and their interactions. Potentially important familial characteristics (i.e., the parents’ or surrogates’ age, income level, and educational attainment) were considered in the models. The sample for this study was drawn from the Canadian National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (NLSCY). Group-based mixture modeling analyses were conducted to identify the number and types of distinct trajectories in the development of obesity (i.e., to explicate the developmental processes in the variability of childhood obesity) in a representative sample of children who were between 24 to 35 months of age, at baseline, and followed biennially over a 6-year span. Discriminant analysis was conducted to assess the theoretical notion of goodness-of-fit between parenting practices and children’s temperament, and their association with membership in the BMI trajectory groups. The results of the group-based modeling established three different BMI trajectories for the boys, namely: stable-normal BMI, transient-high BMI, and j-curve obesity. The analyses revealed four different trajectories of BMI change for the girls: stable-normal BMI, early-declining BMI, late-declining BMI, and accelerating rise to obesity. The multivariate analysis revealed that the combined predictors of the obesity trajectories of the girls (group membership) included having a fussy temperament, ineffective parenting, and parents’ educational attainment. Predictors of the boys’ obesity trajectory (group membership) included household income, parental education, and effective parenting practices. Understanding the different ways in which a child may develop obesity will allow nurses and other health professionals to take different approaches in the assessment, intervention and evaluation of obesity and obesity-related health problems. The results of this study further our understanding of factors associated with the development of obesity at a young age and hence may inform the development of early preventive programs.

Aim of study to evaluate the epidemiological situation of overweight among Lithuanian adult population and its control possibilities in primary health care. Objectives- to evaluate the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Lithuanian population aged 20-64 years and its trends over 1994-2004, to determine the associations between overweight and social factors such as sex, age, the level of education and the place of residence and healt behaviuor,to determine the links between overweight and subjective health, to assess the level of giving advice on diet and physical activity by health care specialists and attempts of overweight persons to control their weight,to evaluate the possibilities of weight control in primary health care applying minimal intervention.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The prevalence of adiposity (overweight and obesity) is increasing in among Ghanaian women. The disparity between urban and rural Ghanaian women in adiposity is seldom described due to data paucity. The purpose of this study was to provide a comparative analysis between urban and rural women in regards to the socio-demographic factors associated with adiposity. METHODS: The analyses used cross-sectional data from the Ghana Demographic Health Survey involving child bearing women ages14 to 49 years old. The eligible population comprised 4848 non-pregnant women (2023 from urban and 2825 from rural areas). Residence-specific (urban versus rural) associations between selected independent variables and adiposity were quantified using odds ratios from univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Stepwise logistic regression analyses were used to describe the variables that were best predictors of adiposity. RESULTS: The overall crude prevalence of overweight (25.0-29.9 kg/m2) and obesity (≥30kg/m2) were 40% and 18% in urban and rural areas, respectively. There was a positive statistically significant difference between urban and rural women with respect to the distribution of overweight as well as obese (p<.001). Result from the univariate models showed that among rural and urban resident women, older age, higher education, higher wealth, and lack of job was each associated with increased odds of overweight. Compared to Akan women, being of other ethnic group was associated with decreased odds of overweight in women of urban and rural settings. Lack of fruits consumption and Muslim religion were each associated with increased odds of overweight in women who live in rural settings. Consumption of less than 5 fruits in a day was associated with decreased odds of overweight in urban resident women. For urban and rural resident women, wealth index and age were the best predictors for overweight. Older age, higher education, higher weight index, lack of jobs and being other than Akan ethnicity were each associated with increased odds of obesity in urban and rural settings. Compared to married women, being unmarried was associated with increased odds of obesity in urban and rural women. Wealth index was the best predictor variable of obesity in urban women. older age, education, wealth index, having a job, and fruit consumptions were the best predictors of obesity in rural women. CONCLUSION: Adiposity was more prevalent in urban living women compare to women who reside in rural areas. This finding is critical for planning effective adiposity control in Ghana. Proving education for Ghana women may enhance their wealth and knowledge about adiposity.

Background: Physical activity and childhood obesity have been studied extensively across the globe, but only few studies have been done in children who are aware of their obesity, overweight status and among children who are taking measures to control their weight. The purpose of this study is to examine agreement between perceived weight and ideal weight differences across gender, grade level, race and levels of weight control. METHODS: This study is based on the secondary analysis of the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) conducted in the state of Georgia in 2009 (n=1882). The 2009 YRBS for each state that participated used a two-stage cluster sample design to produce a fairly representative sample of public school students in the grades of 9-12. Agreement between the perceived weight and the ideal weight differences across gender, grade level and race was measured using Kappa statistic. RESULTS: In general, agreement between perceived weight and the ideal weight were better in females compared to males. A much higher degree of concordance between perceived weight and the ideal weight was observed in Whites compared to Blacks and Hispanics. The analysis by grade resulted in 12th grade participants showing a high concordance value between their ideal weight and their perceived weight than the lower grade levels. CONCLUSION: The results are in particular very insightful to the public health professionals who are in the process of promoting healthy behaviors. The study implies that minority groups such as Blacks and Hispanics may be more uninformed about their obesity status. Public health programs that are specifically designed to increase obesity awareness may help to alleviate obesity and its related consequences. Race and gender specific programs may help to increase perception about obesity in at-risk 9-12 children and adolescents.

Syfte: Att beskriva föräldrars upplevelser av att ha ett barn med övervikt samt beskriva upplevda hinder och strategier för att hjälpa dem till en sundare livsstil. Syftet var även att granska artiklarnas kvalité gällande datainsamlingsmetod. Metod: Studien var en beskrivande litteraturstudie. Femton vetenskapliga artiklar inkluderades utifrån syftet som sedan granskades och sammanställdes. Resultat: Föräldrarna upplevde stor oro över sitt barns övervikt och välmående. Flera föräldrar kände svårigheter över att prata om övervikten med sitt barn. Den största oron som uppstod hos föräldrarna berodde på barnets psykiska ohälsa. De föräldrar som kontaktade skolan eller vården för att få hjälp med sitt barns övervikt upplevde att de inte blev tagna på allvar och att de blev skuldbelagda för barnets övervikt. Dock framkom även positiva upplevelser då barnet fått både psykiskt och fysiskt stöd samt individanpassade råd. Föräldrarna upplevde hinder som ekonomi, tidsbrist, bristande intresse för fysisk aktivitet samt okunskap gällande sunda levnadsvanor. Slutsats: Att vara förälder till ett överviktigt barn skapade ofta känslor av oro och skuld hos föräldrarna, de upplevde även svårigheter med att stödja barnet till sunda levnadsvanor. Därför var föräldrarna ofta i behov av stöd men även undervisning, individanpassad rådgivning och hjälp med att uppnå en sundare livsstil för barnet. / Purpose: To describe parents' experiences of having an overweight child, as well as to describe the experienced obstacles faced and strategies used to achieve a healthier life style. The purpose is also to examine the quality of the examined articles' in regards to their data gathering methods. Method: This was a descriptive literature study. Fifteen academic articles were chosen based on the study's purpose and then reviewed and compiled. Findings: The parents experienced strong concern for their overweight children's health. Several parents felt it difficult to talk with their children about weight. The largest concerns amongst parents were related to their child's mental health. The parents that contacted the school or health care practitioners in order to ask for help regarding their child’s weight issues felt that they were not taken seriously and felt blamed for their child's weight issues. However, there were also positive experiences in which the child received individualized physical and mental support. The parents experienced obstacles such as; financial issues, lack of time, lack of interest in physical activities, and a lack of knowledge in regards to a healthy life style. Conclusion: Parents of overweight children often experienced concern and guilt. They found it difficult to support their child in living healthy. Because of this, the parents were often in need of support as well as education, individualized counseling and help to encourage a healthier life style for their child.

Mothers play a vital role in providing healthy food choices for their preschool children. This role has become more complex in the present obesity-producing environment that has contributed to the increasing prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity in Canada. Childhood overweight and obesity is a significant public health issue in Nova Scotia where the percentage is higher than the national average. The purpose of this study was to generate a theoretical understanding of the process in which 18 mothers living within the Cape Breton Regional Municipality engaged while making food choices for their preschool children. Constructivist grounded theory methodology informed by sensitising constructs from symbolic interaction and the socio-environmental health promotion perspective facilitated a multilevel exploration of the factors that affect mothers’ food choice practices for their preschoolers. Data collection took place over 16 months. Thirty-five interviews were completed. Grounded theory methods were used to analyze the data and a substantive theory of how mothers made food choices for their preschool children was co-constructed with the participants. The substantive theory, Persistent Optimizing, consists of three main integrated conceptual categories. In the first conceptual category, Acknowledging Contextual Constraints, mothers acknowledged various individual, interpersonal, and socio-environmental contextual factors that hindered their ability to make intended, healthier food choices for their children. In the second conceptual category, Stretching Boundaries, mothers developed and enacted moderating strategies to lessen the impact of contextual constraints, thereby increasing the number of food choices available to them. In the third conceptual category, Strategic Positioning, mothers developed and enacted a variety of optimizing strategies to get them closer to making the optimal food choice for their children in a given situation. Mothers in this study struggled continuously with varying degrees of success to provide the foods they believed their children needed. The findings suggest that in practice, policy, research, and education, community health nurses must work independently and collaboratively at all levels of influence to facilitate, mediate, and advocate for social, economic, and physical environments that improve mothers’ ability to make food choices that promote their children’s health and reduce their risk of becoming overweight and obese.

Childhood obesity has become an increasingly important public health concern in Canada. This paper provides an econometric analysis of the role of income and other explanatory factors on adolescent overweight and obese statuses within Canada using data from the 2009/2010 Canadian Community Health Survey. Results reveal the importance of low-income status on adolescent body weight. The effect of low income is particularly pronounced after accounting for household size. However, it does not account for much of the additional incidence of overweight and obesity in the Atlantic region of Canada.

The prevalence of obesity in the paediatric population is on the increase and there is speculation that suboptimal breastfeeding patterns may be contributing to the present obesity epidemic. We described the prevalence and trends in underweight and overweight among 3 052 school aged children over a ten year period, and patterns of exclusive and any infant breastfeeding among 671 mothers over a 6 year period on Montserrat a small British colony which forms part of the chain of Caribbean islands, and experienced the eruption of the Soufriere Hills volcano in July 1995. / The results revealed for 11 year old children there was an excess risk of being overweight in the post volcanic period compared to the pre volcanic period (OR=2.1, 95% CI 1.5-2.7). / The rate of exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months of age was exceptionally low (3.4%) in relation to the international recommendations, but the prevalence of any breastfeeding at 4-6 months was relatively high 67.1%. Maternal age was the only significant variable associated with exclusive breastfeeding. / These findings highlight the need for promoting and prolonging exclusive breastfeeding and that overweight is increasing in the children on Montserrat.

Titel:                                   Kvinnors upplevelse av övervikt och fetmas påverkan på deras                               vardag - en analys av bloggar skrivna av kvinnor. Författare:                         Wigholm, Ann-Marie; Österlund, Felicia Institution:                         Institutionen för hälsa och lärande, Högskolan i Skövde Program/Kurs:                 Examensarbete i omvårdnad, 15 hp Handledare:                      Lund, Annelise, Tilly Examinator:                      Brovall, Maria Sidor:                                 23 Datum<img src="https://cdncache-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png" />:                               150422 Nyckelord:                         Fetma, hälsa, lidande, ohälsa, övervikt   Bakgrund: Övervikt och fetma har ökat och blivit ett folkhälsoproblem i samhället. Problemet kan leda till lidande hos individen, både fysiskt och psykiskt. För att bibehålla en god hälsa och undvika övervikt eller fetma har sunda levnadsvanor stor betydelse. Sjuksköterskan har en viktig roll i att stödja och motivera patienten, för att uppnå fysiskt och psykiskt välbefinnande. Syfte: Att belysa kvinnors upplevelser av övervikt och fetmas påverkan på deras vardag. Metod: En kvalitativ metod enligt Lundman och Hällgren- Graneheim  av bloggtexter skrivna av kvinnor har använts. Resultat: I resultatet kunde tre kategorier urskiljas, som beskrev hur kvinnorna blev påverkade i sin vardag. Dessa var "Belastningar i vardagen av den egna kroppen", "Intryck från omgivningen" och "Den ständigt varierande självkänslan". Temat som framkom var "Fysisk och psykisk påverkan i vardagen", då samtliga av kvinnorna visade olika grad av psykisk ohälsa. Diskussion: Kvinnor med övervikt och fetma kände sig annorlunda och tyckte sig inte bli bemötta på samma sätt som andra i samhället, deras vardag påverkades på så vis att deras fysiska och psykiska välmående försämrades. Slutsats: Kvinnorna hade ofta ett nedsatt fysiskt och psykiskt välbefinnande, därför bör resurser läggas på ökad kunskap för sjuksköterskor kring kommunikation och psykisk ohälsa. / Title:                                   Women's experiences of overweight and obesity's affects on                                  their the daily life - an analysis of blogs written by women. Authors:                            Wigholm, Ann-Marie; Österlund, Felicia Department:                      Nursing school of health and education, University of Skövde Course:                              Degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Thesis in Nursing Care, 15 hp Supervisor:                        Lund, Annelise, Tilly Examiner:                          Brovall, Maria Pages:                                 23 Date:                                  150422 Keywords:                         Healt, obesity, overweight, suffering, unhealth     Background: Overweight and obesity have increased and become a public health problem<img src="https://cdncache-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png" /> in the society. The problem can lead to suffering by the individual, both physically and mentally. In order to maintain good health and avoid overweight and obesity a healthy lifestyle has great importance. The nurse has an important role to support and motivate the patient to achieve physical and mental well-being. Aim: To illustrate women's experience of overweight and obesity's affects on their daily lives. Method: A qualitative method according to Lundman and Hällgren- Graneheim of blog texts written by women has been used. Results: In the result three categories could be identified, who described how women were affected in their daily lives. Which were "Encumbrance on the own body in the everyday life", "Impressions from the environment" and "The ever-changing self-esteem." The theme that appeared was "Physical and psychological impact in the everyday life", beacause all of the women showed different degrees of mental illness. Discussion: Women with overweight and obesity felt differently treated in the environment, their daily life was affected in such a way that their physical and mental well-being deteriorated . Conclusion: The women had a reduced physical and mental well-being, therefore, resources should be put in to increased knowledge of nurses regarding communication and mental illness.

The impact of a rapid economic growth on the patterns and trends of overweight and obesity is profound. Obesity is closely linked to lifestyle choices and the risk behaviours that lead to obesity-related morbidities in young adults can be traced to the acceptable norms from childhood through to adulthood. The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity using the World Health Organization classification and to investigate the influence of perceptions/beliefs and health-risk behaviours and their association with overweight and obesity among female university students of the United Arab Emirates University. A cross-sectional survey of the lifestyle choices, risk behaviours and perceptions of obesity with the Body Mass Index (BMI) status of 321 young adult women aged 18-30 years was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire. The female students responded to questions about their diet and physical activity patterns. They reported their height/weight, and weight-related measurements were taken to calculate the BMI. Overall, 20.2% of the students were overweight while 8.40% were obese. The likelihood of being overweight or obese was higher among students who were older, married and had a family history of obesity. Faculty of study (p=0.018) was significantly associated with prevalence of overweight and obesity. Many of the students did not consume fruits and vegetables or eat breakfast daily. Students who spent long hours on sedentary activities were more likely to be obese, with lack of time reported as a major reason for physical inactivity. Respondents wanted to lose weight most commonly for better health and well-being and because of problems with clothes sizes. In view of the high number of health risk behaviours and prevalence of overweight and obesity, prompt action is needed to initiate and sustain interventions and preventive measures that could change the health-compromising behaviours associated with excess weight.