New Study Points Out Gender Differences in Child Obesity
Lack of physical activity appears to be an important factor in obesity among middle-school boys, but inadequate milk consumption, rather than exercise, is associated with obesity among girls, according to a new study published online August 12 in the journal of Pediatrics.
The study of 1714 sixth-graders in 20 Michigan middle schools also found that eating school-provided lunches and watching 2 hours or more of television daily were each associated with increased obesity among both genders.
School-Lunch Eaters 30% More Likely to Be Obese
The research showed that obese boys were less likely to participate in regular vigorous physical activity and less likely to be part of school sports. Boys who reported 20 minutes or more of vigorous physical activity 5 or more times weekly were less likely to be obese (independent odds ratio [OR]), 0.90; P = .02), and the OR for obesity among boys participating on 1 or more teams was 0.77 (P = .01).
Although the study uncovered no association between physical activity and obesity in females, obese girls were less likely to report consuming 2 or more daily servings of milk in any form; consumption of dairy appeared to have no relevance in boys, however. The OR for obesity among girls who drank 2 or more dairy servings per day was 0.81 (P = .03).
The authors speculate that the association between low milk consumption and obesity could be because girls replace milk with sugary drinks. The association between milk consumption and obesity has been found in earlier studies, including a 2006 publication of the Framingham Children’s Study, which found reduced dairy intake associated with excess body fat.
One possible confounding factor regarding school-lunch consumption and obesity is the fact that low-income children are often eligible for free or reduced-cost school lunches. Lower socioeconomic status has been consistently tied to obesity. Still, the authors note, previous research has shown school lunches tend to be nutrient poor and calorie rich.
TV Viewing Associated With Obesity — Nothing New
Television viewing was equally associated with obesity for both genders, with those watching 2 or more hours of television daily almost 20% more likely to be obese (OR, 1.19; P < .01). “This relationship has been widely recognized and is likely mediated by corresponding decreased physical activity,” the authors write.
Obese girls reported more computer use than other groups, and obese boys reported more video-game time than others. But there was no significant association between video-game playing and obesity among boys.
Obese boys were more likely to have higher total cholesterol, higher LDL cholesterol, elevated triglyceride levels, and lower HDL cholesterol than nonobese boys.
Obese girls had elevated triglycerides and lower HDL cholesterol than their nonobese peers and higher random glucose levels than other girls, a difference not seen in boys.
Both obese boys and girls had higher blood pressure, higher resting heart rate, and slower recovery rates than their nonobese peers.
Of the study participants, 808 were boys (47.1%), 464 (57.9%) were white, 155 (19.5%) were black, and 88 (11.1%) were Asian.
Pediatrics. Published online August 12, 2013. Abstract
via Blogger http://chiropractic-lane.blogspot.com/2013/08/new-study-points-out-gender-differences.html
Recent Comments