Study finds association between environmental factors and childhood obesity, based on a study of more than 1,300 children in Europe.
We know that the environment in which each person lives influences their state of health. Pollution, for example, is associated with a number of diseases that can get complicated over the years.
During pregnancy and childhood, exposure to pollutants is even more risky. According to a study carried out in Spain, air pollution, tobacco and other characteristics, such as living in more densely populated areas, can influence childhood obesity.
The study, published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives , has analyzed the consequences of each exposure on the body, considering diet, lifestyle and the environment in which one lives. Data from 1,300 children ages 6 to 11 from six European countries were analyzed: Spain, France, Greece, Lithuania, Norway and the United Kingdom.
These data contained information on body mass index, waist circumference, thickness of skin folds, and body fat levels. In addition, they performed urine and blood samples from children and mothers during pregnancy.
Another study author, Leda Chatzi, said that children who “lived in densely populated areas and attended schools in areas with few services and facilities had a higher risk of obesity.” Clearly, these data suggest the importance of thinking in public spaces so that children can walk, physically move.
FUNIBER promotes studies to train professionals to respond to current social demands and problems. Programs such as the Master’s Degree in Maternal-Child Nutrition or the Specialization in Overweight and Obesity offer knowledge and tools for the care of child nutrition.