Evaluating routine pediatric growth measurement as a screening tool for overweight and obese status

Abstract

This article has been peer reviewed.

Automated growth monitoring app (GROWIN): a mobile Health (mHealth) tool to improve the diagnosis and early management of growth and nutritional disorders in childhood

“…All this can contribute to the early detection of growth and nutritional disorders by providing additional measurements, as the linear growth monitoring of apparently healthy children as a screening strategy can detect early indications of serious conditions, establishing weight status (underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity), and identifying short stature. 9,29 In line with observations on the overall population concerning weight for gestational age (in European countries, there is a 10% prevalence of children who are born SGA or LGA), 30,31 most of the data (89.5%) entered in the GROWIN app belong to children who were AGA. In addition, data included belonged mainly to children with an adequate growth (height and weight), with a much lower percentage of children with low height/weight or overweight/obesity.…”

“…32 Early diagnosis leads to early and appropriate therapy, which has an optimal effect on growth and final height and prevents or diminishes complications, and could, therefore, result in a better quality of life. 29,35 The findings obtained with the GROWIN app and its recommendations show the potential of the new digital technologies to get greater standardization and automatization of height monitoring in children, improving the accuracy of referrals to specialists. 9 This potential benefit can justify the design of similar app, such as the presented by Thaventhiran et al 36 in the Society for Endocrinology BES 2021, that enables families to measure the UK child's height including alerts to facilitate early referral/diagnosis of growth disorders This reflects the trend to use this type of apps, being GROWIN more complete (not only height monitorization and with recommendations for improving the measures).…”

“…These early interventions have been described as more effective than weight management interventions after established weight problems. 29 An additional benefit of the GROWIN app is facilitating communication between parents/caregivers and doctors/health providers. With the "Share" option, data can be shared with the physician (by email).…”

Mothers' Awareness of Obesity and Its Complications Among Children in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Mothers can actively contribute to the prevention of obesity and its health concerns by being aware of the short- and long-term effects of obesity on their children's health. Mothers can substantially influence their children's long-term health through healthy lifestyle choices and nurturing circumstances [ 22 , 23 ]. The WHO, American Medical Association, and World Obesity Federation classify obesity as a chronic medical condition and disease [ 24 ].…”

A Digital Health Solution for Child Growth Monitoring at Home: Testing the Accuracy of a Novel “GrowthMonitor” Smartphone Application to Detect Abnormal Height and Body Mass Indices

“…This is critical because parents who are aware are more likely to take steps to change their child’s unhealthy lifestyles and prevent malnutrition evolving. 12 Age- and sex-adjusted body mass index (ISO-BMI) can be used to compare an individual’s body mass index (BMI, calculated as the weight in kilograms divided by the height in meters squared) with the internationally accepted definitions of thinness, overweight, and obesity for children and adolescents. 13 , 14 Accurate ISO-BMI calculations require accurate height measurements and provide additional information during growth assessments.…”