Association of eating frequency with anthropometric indices and blood pressure in children and adolescents: the CASPIAN-IV Study / Associação da frequência de alimentação com índices antropométricos e pressão arterial em crianças e adolescentes: o Estudo CASPIAN-IV

Abstract Objectives: This study was conducted to explore the association of eating frequency (EF) with anthropometric indices and blood pressure (BP) in children and adolescents. Methods: This nationwide cross-sectional study was performed on a multi-stage sample of 14,880 students, aged 6–18 years, living in 30 provinces in Iran. Parents were asked to report dietary intake of children as frequency of food groups and/or items. EF was defined as the sum of the daily consumption frequency of main meals and snacks. Association of EF with weight disorders, abdominal obesity, and elevated BP was assessed using different logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounding factors. Results: Eating more frequently (≥6 vs. ≤3) was found among students who were at younger age (11.91 vs. 13.29 years) (p < 0.001). Students who reported an EF of 4 (OR: 0.67, CI: 0.57–0.79), 5 (OR: 0.74, CI: 0.62–0.87), and 6 (OR: 0.54, CI: 0.44–0.65) had lower odds of being obese compared to those who had EF ≤ 3. Having EF of 4 (OR: 0.82, CI: 0.71–0.94), 5 (OR: 0.86, CI: 0.74–0.99), and ≥6 (OR: 0.73, CI: 0.63–0.85) was related to lower prevalence of abdominal adiposity. Conclusion: Higher EF was associated with lower mean values of anthropometric and BP measures, as well as with lower prevalence of generalized and abdominal obesity in children and adolescents. Longitudinal studies are needed to assess the long-term effects of EF on body composition in the pediatric age group.

Resumo Objetivos: Este estudo foi feito para explorar a associação da frequência de alimentação (FA) com índices antropométricos e pressão arterial (PA) em crianças e adolescentes. Métodos: Este estudo transversal nacional foi feito em uma amostra de várias etapas de 14.880 estudantes entre seis e 18 anos de 30 províncias do Irã. Foi pedido que os pais relatassem o consumo alimentar das crianças, como a frequência de grupos e/ou itens alimentares. A FA foi definida como a soma da frequência de consumo diária das principais refeições e lanches. A associação entre FA e disfunções do peso, obesidade abdominal e PA elevada foi avaliada com diferentes modelos de regressão logística ajustados pelos possíveis fatores de confusão. Resultados: Foi constatada uma alimentação mais frequente (≥ 6 em comparação com ≤ 3) entre estudantes mais novos (11,91 em comparação com 3,29 anos) (P < 0,001). Estudantes que relataram quatro [razão de chance (RC): 0,67; intervalo de confiança (IC): 0,57-0,79], cinco (RC: 0,74; IC: 0,62-0,87) e seis (RC: 0,54; IC: 0,44-0.65) refeições apresentaram menores chances de se tornar obesos em comparação com os que apresentaram FAs ≤ 3. FA de quatro (RC: 0,82; IC: 0,71-0,94), cinco (RC: 0,86; IC: 0,74-0,99) e ≥ sei (RC: 0,73; IC: 0,63-0,85) foi associada a menor prevalência de adiposidade abdominal. Conclusão: A FA mais alta foi associada à redução nos valores médios das medidas antropométricas e de PA, bem como à menor prevalência de obesidade generalizada e abdominal em crianças e adolescentes. São necessários estudos longitudinais para avaliar os efeitos de longo prazo da FA sobre a composição corporal na faixa etária pediátrica.

Association of Perceived Weight Status versus Body Mass Index on Adherence to Weight-modifying plan Among Iranian Children and Adolescents: The CASPIAN-IV Study.

Objective: To identify risk-groups adhering to weight-changing plans for body dissatisfaction in a National sample of Iranian students. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Primary, Middle and high-schools. Participants: 13486 students (mean age, 12.5 y). Main outcome measures: Demographic and anthropometric characteristics were collected via valid instruments. Body image and adherence to weight- changing diets were assessed by using validated questionnaires. Results: 46.5% students were satisfied with their weight and12.5% declared that they had attempts for weight control, this was significantly higher among adolescent girls (13.8%, P=0.0005). Participants who perceived themselves as overweight and obese, were more likely (OR= 5.32) to follow weight-reduction diets than their peers with normal-weight perception. Actual overweight-BMI and obese-BMI individuals had greater odds for being on a diet (1.3 and 1.47, respectively) compared to their normal-BMI counterparts. Conclusion: Promoting strategies to improve body image concerns and prevent adverse outcomes of chronic dieting among adolescents are necessary.