The effect of social class on childhood obesity
Researchers at the University of Liverpool have been conducting research into the influence of early life factors that contribute to childhood obesity rates in people of different socio-economic backgrounds. The researchers estimated the risk of overweight and obesity in 12,000 children, according to their socioeconomic circumstances at birth. They also examined the potential impact of a range of factors that were identified using questionnaires. These included whether the mother was overweight before the pregnancy, whether she smoked during it and how the child was fed postpartum.
The study found that being overweight before pregnancy, smoking during pregnancy, lack of breastfeeding and early weaning onto solid foods were all significantly related to a higher BMI by age 11. The researchers suggest that these factors partially account for the social inequalities found in childhood overweight. They go on to explain that policies to support mothers to maintain healthy weight and stay educated on these early life factors are important and should be developed.
To learn more about obesity, its prevention, and its treatment please look at CCH’s Postgraduate Academic Courses in Lifestyle Medicine (Obesity Care), and CPD Short Courses in topics such as childhood obesity and behaviour change, designed to up-skill health professionals in this vitally important, and often overlooked, area of care.
Read MoreMeeting our graduates
Whenever one of our students completes their course, we always like to ask of the thoughts and experience with the delivery and content of them as one of our goals is to continually ensure that our teaching methods achieve their goals.
Why did you choose to study the Postgraduate Certificate in Obesity Care at CCH?
I had been interested in improving my knowledge in obesity care whilst working in the field. The head of nursing at the hospital l worked at sent the course prospectus by e-mail and it was everything l was looking for.”
How did you find the online learning?
It was ‘better’ than l thought it would be regarding access to tutors etc. The tutors are very supportive and want you to succeed. The content of the course is laid out in a way that would suit everyone’s style of learning. The information given and what is expected of you is explicit.”
What was the highlight of the course?
Completing it!!! Seriously though, for me it was getting positive feedback as there were times when l realised that there was so much l didn’t know. It makes you want to learn more.”
Will this course improve your employment prospects?
During the course l have changed jobs from a ward manager to a Bariatric Nurse Specialist. My passion in obesity care was primarily in post- operative care for the patient. Now l am able to support the patient throughout their surgical experience for 2 years. The course has given me greater depth of knowledge to support this role.”
What advice would you give to a student considering this course?
I would stress the importance to keep ‘on top’ of their studying. If possible study each night to maintain this, as there are always things which come along to ‘knock you off track’. Don’t lose hope if you feel you are out of your depth. Ask for help as your tutor is there to support you.”
DO IT – I hadn’t studied for years and l felt 9 months of my life was ‘taken over’ but l am so pleased and proud. I feel l can support the patient to achieve their goals. The obesity epidemic is not going away. But the more ‘foot soldiers’ on the ground to support the patients will enable the tables to turn for the better.”
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Self-regulation strategies can prevent weight gain in young adults
A new study has identified 2 self-regulation strategies that prevent weight gain amongst young adults. By teaching participants to weigh themselves every day and use that information to maintain a healthy weight or implement behaviour changes, it was shown that weight gain could be prevented. The findings of this study have been published online ahead of print in JAMA Internal Medicine. A total of 599 participants, aged 18-35 took part in this study, of which half were of normal weight, while the others were overweight. They were then split into 3 groups. One group that were taught behavioural and lifestyle changes to prevent weight gain, a second group that focused on a large initial 5-10 pound weight loss to buffer any weight gain, and a control group that received no intervention.
The 2 self-regulation groups both showed reduced weight gain after a 3 year follow-up period. The ‘initial weight loss’ group showed an overall weight loss over this period. The study showed that frequent weighing and either initial weight loss or smaller daily interventions are useful tools in preventing weight gain. The researchers themselves are hoping that the new self-regulation approaches will be taken notice of as they are both cost-effective and easy to carry out for young adults.
Read MoreAverage BMI associated with lowest risk of death increases
Researchers from Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark recently examined whether BMI associated with the lowest mortality rates has increased in the general population over a period of 30 years and published their findings in JAMA. Previous work has suggested that whilst average BMI is increasing across most countries, the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors is decreasing; the researchers hypothesised that the BMI associated with lowest all-cause mortality might have changed over this time period.
They found that BMI values have increased by a factor of 3.3 over three decades. This means that the optimal BMI in relation to mortality is in the overweight category (for the last cohort that they examined – 2003-2013). The authors have suggested that the WHO should revise the BMI values that currently categorise people into normal weight, overweight and obese, as the data to form these was collected before the 1990s. However, they acknowledge that further investigation is needed to understand the reasons for these changes as well as any potential implications.
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