A prediction model for childhood obesity risk using the machine learning method: a panel study on Korean children

Abstract Young children are increasingly exposed to an obesogenic environment through increased intake of processed food and decreased physical activity. Mothers’ perceptions of obesity and parenting styles influence children’s abilities to maintain a healthy weight. This study developed a prediction model for childhood obesity in 10-year-olds, and identify relevant risk factors using a machine learning method. Data on 1185 children and their mothers were obtained from the Korean National Panel Study. A prediction model for obesity was developed based on ten factors related to children (gender, eating habits, activity, and previous body mass index) and their mothers (education level, self-esteem, and body mass index). These factors were selected based on the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator. The prediction model was validated with an Area Under the Receiver Operator Characteristic Curve of 0.82 and an accuracy of 76%. Other than body mass index for both children and mothers, significant risk factors for childhood obesity were less physical activity among children and higher self-esteem among mothers. This study adds new evidence demonstrating that maternal self-esteem is related to children’s body mass index. Future studies are needed to develop effective strategies for screening young children at risk for obesity, along with their mothers

Effect of a nutritional support protocol on enteral nutrition and clinical outcomes of critically ill patients: a retrospective cohort study

Background: Enteral nutrition (EN) supply within 48 hours after intensive care unit (ICU) admission improves clinical outcomes. The & ldquo;new ICU evaluation & development of nutritional support protocol (NICE-NST)& rdquo; was introduced in an ICU of tertiary academic hospital. This study showed that early EN through protocolized nutritional support would supply more nutrition to improve clinical outcomes. Methods: This study screened 170 patients and 62 patients were finally enrolled; patients who were supplied nutrition without the protocol were classified as the control group (n=40), while those who were supplied according to the protocol were classified as the test group (n=22). Results: In the test group, EN started significantly earlier (3.7 +/- 0.4 days vs. 2.4 +/- 0.5 days, P=0.010). EN calorie (4.0 +/- 1.0 kcal/kg vs. 6.7 +/- 0.9 kcal/kg, P=0.006) and protein (0.17 +/- 0.04 g/kg vs. 0.32 +/- 0.04 g/kg, P=0.002) supplied were significantly higher in the test group. Although EN was supplied through continuous feeding in the test group, there was no difference in complications such as feeding hold due to excessive gastric residual volume or vomit, and hyper- or hypo-glycemia between the two groups. Hospital mortality was significantly lower in the group that started EN within 1.5 days (42.9% vs. 11.8%, P=0.018). The proportion of patients who started EN within 1.5 Conclusions: The NICE-NST may improve EN supply and mortality of critically ill patients without increasing complications.N