Parental consumption of ultra-processed, high-fat products has no association with childhood overweight/obesity: an epidemiological study among 10-12-years-old children in Greece.

BACKGROUND: Overweight and obesity during childhood consist two of the most important public health issues in the 21st century. Consumption of high-fat processed food has been increased alarmingly. OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between parental ultra-processed, high-fat products' consumption and childhood overweight/obesity. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey, conducted among 422 children, aged 10-12 years, and their parents, during school years 2014-16. Parental and child data were collected through self-administered, anonymous and validated questionnaires. Among others, high-fat ultra-processed food consumption was also recorded. Children's weight status was based on gender- and age-specific tables derived from the International Obesity Task Force body mass index (BMI) cut-offs. RESULTS: The prevalence of obesity in the reference population was 2.9%, whereas the prevalence of overweight was 19.3%. A strong correlation was observed between children's and their parents' BMI status (P < 0.001). Multi-adjusted data analysis revealed no association between parental intake of ultra-processed, high-fat products and children overweight/obesity. Similarly, when the data analysis accounted for family income and physical activity status of the children, the aforementioned results remained insignificant. CONCLUSION: Despite the fact that parents' specific dietary habits seem not to affect their children's weight status, public health programs should consider parental nutrition education and mobilization as a preventive measure for childhood overweight/obesity.

Family characteristics and children's knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease has the highest mortality rate than any other disease globally. Some major risk factors seem to be established in the early stages of life, suggesting preventive strategies as a major means to reduce cardiovascular mortality. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of socioeconomic status and family characteristics on children's knowledge and perceptions concerning cardiovascular disease risk factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1,728 children (46% male) aged 10-12 years, attending Greek primary schools in Athens; Heraklion (capital city of the island of Crete); Kalamata; Pyrgos; and Sparti (Peloponnese peninsula), Greece. Sampling was conducted on school premises, during the school years 2014-15 and 2015-16 (participation rate, 95-100%). Data were collected via self-administered, anonymous questionnaire. Children's knowledge of various issues related to cardiovascular risk, such as nutrition, physical activity and smoking was also examined. Data on family characteristics were collected through another questionnaire completed by parents. RESULTS: Paternal education level and living with both parents instead of single-parent upbringing, were positively associated with children's knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors (b = 0.42; 95%CI: 0.01-0.83; P = 0.04; and b = 0.78; 95%CI: 0.013-1.43; P = 0.02 respectively). Moreover, children with more siblings seemed to have less sufficient knowledge compared with peers with fewer siblings (b per 1 sibling = -0.24; 95%CI: -0.47 to -0.014; P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The present findings enhance the link between the micro-environment and children's knowledge and perceptions concerning cardiovascular health, providing information to health-care professionals while counseling youths.

Gender impact on children's knowledge and perceptions regarding cardiovascular disease risk factors: A school-based survey in Greece.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors are adopted during childhood and adolescence. Health literacy at these ages remains the cornerstone of a healthy adult life. The aim of the study was to examine the role of gender regarding CVD risk factors' awareness and to develop an evaluation tool for the assessment of CVD risk factors' knowledge and perception among children. METHODS: During the school years 2014-2015 and 2015-2016, 1728 students aged 10-12 years (5th and 6th grade), from 5 Greek cities (including Athens metropolitan area), were enrolled; nearly 45% were boys (participation rate varied from 95% to 100% from school to school). Students and their parents completed an anonymous questionnaire; students' somatometric characteristics were also recorded. Schools were randomly selected. Linear regression models were applied to evaluate the impact of children's gender on knowledge and perceptions about CVD risk factors. RESULTS: Significant higher percentage of correct answers, among girls compared to boys, was revealed regarding the weekly consumption of legumes, the breakfast weekly consumption, and the effects of soft drinks on health (all P < 0.05). As far as CVD risk factors' knowledge, significantly higher percentage of girls than boys also answered that high blood pressure and television viewing are bad for health and particularly for heart-related problems (all P < 0.05). Girls had a significantly higher mean score of 0.304 than boys, after adjusting for several confounders (P = 0.029). CONCLUSION: Health education programs should take into account gender differences in children's perception and attitudes toward CVD risk factors, in order to increase awareness of children and eventually reduce CVD risk during adulthood.