Status report - Childhood overweight and obesity in Canada: an integrative assessment

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity is a complex risk factor for chronic disease that is associated with a number of socioecological determinants. In this status report, we provide an overview of the socioecological framework that is now guiding our ongoing surveillance efforts in the area of childhood overweight and obesity. This framework considers individual risk and protective factors (sociodemographic, lifestyle, psychosocial and earlylife) through the lens of the life stage, levels of influence and environments in which these factors play a role.

Evaluation of Hepatitis in Pediatric Patients With Presumed Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

“…The clinical and public health costs of NAFLD are significant, and its increasing prevalence in pediatric populations has long-term implications. 2 , 4 , 21 , 22 Primary care clinicians and pediatric subspecialists are recognizing this by screening for NAFLD in overweight and obese patients; however, we need to remain focused on the differential diagnosis for chronic hepatitis. Our study identified low rates (9.5%) of comprehensive, additional testing for other causes of chronic liver disease.…”

“…2 Thirty-four percent of overweight and obese children and adolescents are estimated to have NAFLD, and these global rates are shared across Canada. 1,[3][4][5] In 2017, the North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) published clinical practice guidelines on the assessment and management of NAFLD. 6 While children with a body mass index >85% for age may be suspected of having NAFLD with elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and radiographic features of hepatic steatosis, these features are also common across other chronic liver diseases.…”

Determinantes da composição corporal em crianças e adolescentes

“…Nos últimos anos houve o reconhecimento de etiologia multifatorial que interfere na composição corporal e a importância de considerar uma compreensão integral e sócio ecológica dos fatores de risco associados e dos fatores ditos protetores 11 . Assim a composição corporal pode resultar também da interação entre fatores ambientais e genéticos, raça e etnia, diferenças geográficas e culturais.…”

Healthy vending contracts: Do localized policy approaches improve the nutrition environment in publicly funded recreation and sport facilities?

“…A majority of Canadian children are not consuming healthy diets (Rao et al, 2017). This is concerning considering the association between unhealthy food consumption and increasing rates of childhood obesity (World Health Organization, 2016; Public Health Agency of Canada, 2011); the health repercussions of which persist throughout the life course and place a substantial (and often inequitable) burden on individuals, broader society and economies worldwide (Vallgårda, 2018).…”