Gender differences in the development of childhood obesity in young teenagers in Murcia, Spain.

BACKGROUND: The number of overweight children is increasing at an alarming rate. This issue requires effective action plans, as childhood obesity has become a problem in which addressing environmental factors is decisive. Significant differences have also been shown in lifestyle habits that determine overweight based on sex. This study therefore aimed to examine these risk factors according to sex. METHODS: The sample included first-year high school students from Murcia, Spain. Information was collected through the "Questionnaire on Healthy Habits in Adolescents," validated for this age range, and the weight, height, and waist circumference of the participants were obtained. Data were analyzed through partial least squares structural equation modeling to determine which modifiable risk factors promoted the appearance of excess weight and in what magnitude. RESULTS: A total of 421 students participated in the study, and 40.6% of overweight patients were detected according to their body mass index. No differences were found between the sexes and weights. The environment and the use of new technologies that do not involve sitting were significant only in girls (P < 0.05). Conversely, physical activity was significantly higher in boys (P < 0.05). Dietary factors and sedentary activities did not differ according to sex. CONCLUSIONS: The social and school environment, the use of new technologies (for girls), and physical activity (for boys) condition nutritional status. Identifying gender disparities in behaviors that involve health should be a priority for new prevention programs. Targeting young people's health from a gender perspective has considerable potential to reduce overweight problems in adulthood.

Relationship between modifiable risk factors and overweight in adolescents aged 12-14 years.

INTRODUCTION: Spain is the European leader in overweight (O-W), partly to the social and environmental changes of the last decades. The objective of the work was to study the modifiable risk factors that lead to O-W. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A self-designed questionnaire with factors related to childhood obesity was produced, and was administered to the parents of adolescents who were attending first year of high school in four centres in Health Area V in Murcia. Weight, height, abdominal circumference and Waist-Height Index (WHI) of the students were measured, and classified as overweight-obesity. A reduction technique was applied, generating factors that grouped the items according to subject, as well as a multivalent technique to assess the dependency relationship between the variables, and the SB-OI. RESULTS: Of the 421 students included, 28% and 35% had excess weight and abdominal obesity, respectively. The factor analysis grouped the items into 4 factors: diet, physical activity, technologies, and environment, with a subsection about body perception. The structural equation model presented an R2 of 0.440. The highest relationship was obtained with the environment factor (t 2.89), and perception (t 14.61), followed by the use of technologies. A direct relationship was also revealed regarding diet and physical activity, although not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Family perception and the social-school environment have an important influence on the development of the O-W. Health education interventions involving parents and teachers are probably the smartest and most cost-effective strategies.

Diseño y validación de un cuestionario para estudiar hábitos saludables en adolescentes de 12-14 años / Design and validation of a questionnaire to study healthy habits among adolescents aged 12-14 years

Introducción. Los cambios sociales y culturales están alterando los hábitos de los jóvenes. Existen encuestas para medir dichas conductas, pero son de difícil interpretación. El objetivo del estudio fue diseñar y validar un cuestionario homogéneo para estudiar los hábitos en adolescentes de 12-14 años.Población y métodos. Estudio descriptivo y transversal para validación de un cuestionario. Los ítems fueron seleccionados tras revisión de la literatura y evaluación por expertos. El pretest fue administrado a una muestra piloto. Se determinó la fiabilidad mediante el alfa de Cronbach, y la validez del constructo, mediante un análisis factorial. Se aplicó a una muestra de padres de alumnos de cuatro centros de secundaria.Resultados. El coeficiente de Cronbach mostró valores próximos a 0,7 en tres de las cuatro subescalas y un valor global de 0,629, que demostró precisión y estabilidad. El análisis factorial determinó una validez de constructo adecuada, que mostró 4 factores: alimentación, actividad física, nuevas tecnologías y entorno. El cuestionario final tuvo 26 ítems y se aplicó a 421 participantes. Un 24,8 % presentaron hábitos deficientes, y un 3,4 %, muy poco saludables. Las adolescentes mostraron peores puntuaciones en actividad física (p < 0,001), y los adolescentes, en nuevas tecnologías, aunque no significativo.Conclusiones. Se obtuvo un instrumento válido, fiable y de fácil aplicación para evaluar conductas modificables en adolescentes. La inclusión de tecnologías y entorno adapta el cuestionario a los cambios actuales. Las dimensiones sobre uso de tecnologías y actividad física fueron las más deficitarias; las adolescentes se mostraron más sedentarias.

Introduction. Social and cultural changes are altering young people's habits. Some surveys measure such behaviors, but are hard to interpret. The objective of this study was to design and validate a homogeneous questionnaire to study habits among adolescents aged 12-14 years.Population and methods. Descriptive and cross-sectional study to validate a questionnaire. Items were selected after a bibliographic review and expert assessment. The pre-test was administered to a pilot sample. Reliability was established using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and construct validity, using a factor analysis. It was administered to a sample of parents of students from 4 secondary schools.Results. Cronbach's coefficient showed values close to 0.7 in 3/4 subscales and an overall value of 0.629, showing accuracy and stability. Factor analysis determined an adequate construct validity, with 4 factors: eating, physical activity, new technologies, and environment. The final questionnaire included 26 items and was administered to 421 participants. Poor habits were observed in 24.8 % and very unhealthy, in 3.4 %. Girls had poorer scores in physical activity (p < 0.001), and boys, in new technologies, although it was not significant.Conclusions. The final instrument was valid, reliable, and easily administered to assess modifiable behaviors in adolescents. The inclusion of technologies and environment helps to adapt the questionnaire to current changes. The greatest deficit was observed in the technology use and physical activity domains; and girls were more sedentary.

Design and validation of a questionnaire to study healthy habits among adolescents aged 12-14 years. / Diseño y validación de un cuestionario para estudiar hábitos saludables en adolescentes de 12-14 años.

INTRODUCTION: Social and cultural changes are altering young people's habits. Some surveys measure such behaviors, but are hard to interpret. The objective of this study was to design and validate a homogeneous questionnaire to study habits among adolescents aged 12-14 years. POPULATION AND METHODS: Descriptive and crosssectional study to validate a questionnaire. Items were selected after a bibliographic review and expert assessment. The pre-test was administered to a pilot sample. Reliability was established using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and construct validity, using a factor analysis. It was administered to a sample of parents of students from 4 secondary schools. RESULTS: Cronbach's coefficient showed values close to 0.7 in 3/4 subscales and an overall value of 0.629, showing accuracy and stability. Factor analysis determined an adequate construct validity, with 4 factors: eating, physical activity, new technologies, and environment. The final questionnaire included 26 items and was administered to 421 participants. Poor habits were observed in 24.8 % and very unhealthy, in 3.4 %. Girls had poorer scores in physical activity (p < 0.001), and boys, in new technologies, although it was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: The final instrument was valid, reliable, and easily administered to assess modifiable behaviors in adolescents. The inclusion of technologies and environment helps to adapt the questionnaire to current changes. The greatest deficit was observed in the technology use and physical activity domains; and girls were more sedentary.

Introducción. Los cambios sociales y culturales están alterando los hábitos de los jóvenes. Existen encuestas para medir dichas conductas, pero son de difícil interpretación. El objetivo del estudio fue diseñar y validar un cuestionario homogéneo para estudiar los hábitos en adolescentes de 12- 14 años. Población y métodos. Estudio descriptivo y transversal para validación de un cuestionario. Los ítems fueron seleccionados tras revisión de la literatura y evaluación por expertos. El pretest fue administrado a una muestra piloto. Se determinó la fiabilidad mediante el alfa de Cronbach, y la validez del constructo, mediante un análisis factorial. Se aplicó a una muestra de padres de alumnos de cuatro centros de secundaria. Resultados. El coeficiente de Cronbach mostró valores próximos a 0,7 en tres de las cuatro subescalas y un valor global de 0,629, que demostró precisión y estabilidad. El análisis factorial determinó una validez de constructo adecuada, que mostró 4 factores: alimentación, actividad física, nuevas tecnologías y entorno. El cuestionario final tuvo 26 ítems y se aplicó a 421 participantes. Un 24,8 % presentaron hábitos deficientes, y un 3,4 %, muy poco saludables. Las adolescentes mostraron peores puntuaciones en actividad física (p<0,001), y los adolescentes, en nuevas tecnologías, aunque no significativo. Conclusiones. Se obtuvo un instrumento válido, fiable y de fácil aplicación para evaluar conductas modificables en adolescentes. La inclusión de tecnologías y entorno adapta el cuestionario a los cambios actuales. Las dimensiones sobre uso de tecnologías y actividad física fueron las más deficitarias; las adolescentes se mostraron más sedentarias.

[Familial presentation of microdeletion and inverted microduplication with array-CGH]. / Microdelecion y microduplicacion inversa de presentacion familiar con array-CGH.

INTRODUCTION. Over the years the field of genetics has advanced significantly. Following the polymerase chain reaction and mass sequencing techniques, the array-CGH technique (comparative genomic hybridization) has helped to improve genetic procedures. A resolution of up to 200 kb is currently being accomplished in the human genome. CASE REPORTS. We report the case of two sisters with delays in developmental milestones and a characteristic phenotype with normal results from initial studies of the karyotype and subtelomeric regions. Array-CGH was later used to detect a deletion and duplication that were different in each of the sisters, this being the result of a balanced paternal translocation. In the two cases, despite being the result of the same translocation, the genetic and phenotype expression were different. CONCLUSIONS. The precision achieved by means of array-CGH is making it possible to establish a correlation between minimum gains or losses of the genome and the clinical features. Chromosome 3 codes for genes that play a fundamental role in neurological development (contactins, neurotransmitter modulator proteins, etc.) and chromosome 10 codes for proteins involved in apoptosis and proteins regulating transcription. In the literature there have been reports of chromosome 3 deletion syndrome and monosomy 10. Likewise, there are also descriptions of rearrangements between these chromosomes in individuals from the same family. Nevertheless, we describe two cases of a family with a micro-deletion and an inverted microduplication, detected by means of array-CGH, that have not been reported to date. This technique can provide a diagnostic and prognostic approximation as regards development and offer genetic counselling.

TITLE: Microdelecion y microduplicacion inversa de presentacion familiar con array-CGH.Introduccion. A lo largo de los años se han logrado avances en torno a la genetica; tras la reaccion en cadena de la polimerasa y las tecnicas de secuenciacion masiva, la tecnica array-CGH (comparative genomic hybridization) ha contribuido a mejorar los procedimientos geneticos. Actualmente esta consiguiendo una resolucion de hasta 200 kb en el genoma humano. Casos clinicos. Se presentan dos hermanas con retraso en los hitos del desarrollo y fenotipo caracteristico con estudio inicial de cariotipo y de regiones subtelomericas normales. Posteriormente, mediante array-CGH se detecto en cada una una delecion y una duplicacion diferentes, fruto de una translocacion equilibrada paterna. En ambas, siendo fruto de una misma translocacion, muestra diferente expresion genetica y fenotipica. Conclusiones. La precision conseguida mediante el array-CGH esta permitiendo correlacionar minimas ganancias o perdidas del genoma con la clinica. En el cromosoma 3 se encuentran codificados genes fundamentales en el desarrollo neurologico (contactinas, proteinas moduladoras de neurotransmisores…), y en el cromosoma 10, proteinas implicadas en la apoptosis y proteinas reguladoras de la transcripcion. En la bibliografia se han descrito el sindrome de delecion del cromosoma 3 y la monosomia 10. Igualmente, hay descritos reordenamientos entre estos cromosomas en individuos de una misma familia. Sin embargo, aportamos dos casos de una familia con una microdelecion y una microduplicacion inversa, detectados mediante array-CGH, no descritos hasta el momento. Dicha tecnica puede ofrecer una aproximacion diagnostica y pronostica en cuanto a la evolucion y ofertar consejo genetico.

Microdeleción y microduplicación inversa de presentación familiar con array-CGH / Familial presentation of microdeletion and inverted microduplication with array-CGH

Introducción. A lo largo de los años se han logrado avances en torno a la genética; tras la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa y las técnicas de secuenciación masiva, la técnica array-CGH (comparative genomic hybridization) ha contribuido a mejorar los procedimientos genéticos. Actualmente está consiguiendo una resolución de hasta 200 kb en el genoma humano. Casos clínicos. Se presentan dos hermanas con retraso en los hitos del desarrollo y fenotipo característico con estudio inicial de cariotipo y de regiones subteloméricas normales. Posteriormente, mediante array-CGH se detectó en cada una una deleción y una duplicación diferentes, fruto de una translocación equilibrada paterna. En ambas, siendo fruto de una misma translocación, muestra diferente expresión genética y fenotípica. Conclusiones. La precisión conseguida mediante el array-CGH está permitiendo correlacionar mínimas ganancias o pérdidas del genoma con la clínica. En el cromosoma 3 se encuentran codificados genes fundamentales en el desarrollo neurológico (contactinas, proteínas moduladoras de neurotransmisores, etc.), y en el cromosoma 10, proteínas implicadas en la apoptosis y proteínas reguladoras de la transcripción. En la bibliografía se han descrito el síndrome de deleción del cromosoma 3 y la monosomía 10. Igualmente, hay descritos reordenamientos entre estos cromosomas en individuos de una misma familia. Sin embargo, aportamos dos casos de una familia con una microdeleción y una microduplicación inversa, detectados mediante array-CGH, no descritos hasta el momento. Dicha técnica puede ofrecer una aproximación diagnóstica y pronóstica en cuanto a la evolución y ofertar consejo genético (AU)

Introduction. Over the years the field of genetics has advanced significantly. Following the polymerase chain reaction and mass sequencing techniques, the array-CGH technique (comparative genomic hybridization) has helped to improve genetic procedures. A resolution of up to 200 kb is currently being accomplished in the human genome. Case reports. We report the case of two sisters with delays in developmental milestones and a characteristic phenotype with normal results from initial studies of the karyotype and subtelomeric regions. Array-CGH was later used to detect a deletion and duplication that were different in each of the sisters, this being the result of a balanced paternal translocation. In the two cases, despite being the result of the same translocation, the genetic and phenotype expression were different. Conclusions. The precision achieved by means of array-CGH is making it possible to establish a correlation between minimum gains or losses of the genome and the clinical features. Chromosome 3 codes for genes that play a fundamental role in neurological development (contactins, neurotransmitter modulator proteins, etc.) and chromosome 10 codes for proteins involved in apoptosis and proteins regulating transcription. In the literature there have been reports of chromosome 3 deletion syndrome and monosomy 10. Likewise, there are also descriptions of rearrangements between these chromosomes in individuals from the same family. Nevertheless, we describe two cases of a family with a microdeletion and an inverted microduplication, detected by means of array-CGH, that have not been reported to date. This technique can provide a diagnostic and prognostic approximation as regards development and offer genetic counselling (AU)