Obesity and academic performances in adolescents

Background Adolescence is a phase of dynamic development in human life, marked by rapid physical growth, in addition to mental, emotional, and social development. Adolescent obesity has been related to metabolic disease, in addition to psychological disorders, which may lead to a negative impact on academic performances. Objective To assess academic performances in adolescents with obesity Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Junior High School No. 14 in Bandung from December 2010 to July 2011. Subjects were aged 12 to 14 years, and were divided into two groups: obese or good nutritional status. Statistical analysis using Fisher's exact test was performed to assess the association of obesity and academic performances. T-test was used to compare subjects' mean mathematics and English performances in the two groups. Results There were 24D students who met the inclusion criteria. Since there were 40 obese subjects in the first group, we randomized the remaining students to obtain 40 subjects with good nutritional status for the second group. Best academic performances in mathematics and English was obtained mostly by subjects in the good nutrition group (38/40 and 39/40, respectively). Statistical analysis revealed a significant association of lower performances in mathematics (mean difference -2.8; 95%CI -5 to -0.6; P=0.043) and English (mean difference -1.9; 95%CI -3.5 to -0.2; P=0.001) to obesity. We also found a significant association of better mathematics (P=0.001) and English performances (P=0.004) to the father's occupation. Additional English lessons were not associated with higher English performances in the obese group (mean difference 0.2; 95%CI -2.9 to 3 .2; P=0.885). Conclusion Obese adolescents tend to have poorer academic performances compared to those with good nutritional status

A perspective on partially hydrolyzed protein infant formula in nonexclusively breastfed infants

The World Health Organization recommends that infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life to provide optimal nutrition in this critical period of life. After this, infants should receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods while breastfeeding continues for up to 2 years of age or beyond. For nonbreastfed infants, infant formula is an available option to provide the nutrition needed. Infant formula is usually prepared from industrially modified cow’s milk and processed to adjust for the nutritional needs of infants. However, cow’s milk is one of the most common causes of food allergy, affecting 2%–5% of all formula-fed infants during their first year of life. One strategy to prevent cow’s milk allergy in nonbreastfed infants is the use of partially hydrolyzed formula (pHF) in high-risk infants, which are infants born in families with atopic disease. However, based on an epidemiological study, approximately half of the infants who develop allergy are not part of the at-risk group. This is because the non-at-risk group is significantly larger than the at-risk group and the non-at-risk infants have approximately 15% risk of developing allergies. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of partially hydrolyzed whey formula (pHF-W) in nonbreastfed infants and determine whether pHF-W can prevent atopic disease in high-risk infants and can be used as routine starter formula regardless of the allergy risk status

HUBUNGAN ANTARA INDEKS MASSA TUBUH DAN PENINGKATAN TEKANAN DARAH PADA ANAK REMAJA OBES DENGAN HIPERTENSI

Kejadian obesitas di kota besar saat ini semakin meningkat. Hubungan antara Indeks Massa Tubuh (IMT) dan penyakit kardiovaskular telah diketahui pada orang dewasa, tetapi pada remaja belum banyak diketahui. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menilai hubungan IMT dan peningkatan tekanan darah pada remaja obes di kota Bandung. Penelitian cross-sectional ini dilakukan pada bulan Juni-Agustus 2006. Subjek penelitian adalah anak sekolah menengah di kota Bandung berusia 15-18 tahun dengan indeks massa tubuh (IMT) > persentil ke-95 dan mengalami peningkatan tekanan darah > persentil ke-90 berdasarkan usia dan jenis kelamin. Derajat obesitas dinilai dengan mengukur indeks massa tubuh (IMT). Tekanan darah diukur dengan menggunakan spygmomanometer air raksa sesuai dengan cara baku National High Blood Pressure Education Program Working Gorup on High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents tahun 2004. Hubungan antara IMT dan peningkatan tekanan darah dianalisis dengan korelasi Pearson. Hasil pemeriksaan terhadap 3.170 remaja didapatkan 34 perempuan dan 43 laki-laki obes yang mengalami peningkatan tekanan darah. IMT pada remaja obes laki-laki berhu-bungan secara bermakna dengan tekanan darah sistol (r=0,628;p=0,000) maupun diastol (r=0,563;p=0,000). Sedangkan pada remaja obes perempuan IMT tidak mempunyai hubungan dengan tekanan darah sistol (r=0,087;p=0,624) maupun diastol (r=0,044;p=0,803). IMT berhubungan dengan peningkatan tekanan darah sistol dan diastol pada anak remaja obes laki-laki, tapi tidak ditemukan hubungan pada remaja perempuan.Kata Kunci: Obes, sistol, diasto

Relationship between fat distribution ratio and blood pressure in obese adolescents

Background The incidence of obesity in big cities increases significantly. The association between obesity and increased risk of cardiovascular disease and hypertension in adults has been known but less information is available in adolescents. Similarly, the relationship between body-fat distribution and cardiovascular diseases in adolescents is less clear tha that in adults. Objective This study aimed to determine the association between body fat distribution and increased blood pressure in obese adolescents in Bandung. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted from June to August 2006. Subjects were students aged 15-18 years at high schools in Bandung with body mass index (BMI) measured using CDC chart 2000 (> P95) and increased blood pressure (> P90) depended on age and gender according to National High Blood Pressure Education Program Working Group on High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents 2004. Waist-to-hip ratio (central fat), and subscapula skinfold-to-triceps skinfold ratio (peripheral fat) were used to measure fat distribution. Correlation between body fat distribution and blood pressure was analyzed using Pearson correlation statistical test. Results Out of 3170 adolescents examined, 34 obese adolescent girls and 43 obese adolescent boys had increased blood pressure. Correlation between waist-to-hip ratio and systole blood pressure in boys showed by r=0.495; P=0.003 and girls showed r=0.494; P=O.OOl. Correlation between subscapula skinfold-to-triceps skinfold ratio in boys showed r=0.289; P=0.097 and girls showed by r=0.248; P=0.109. Conclusion Central fat is moderately correlated with increased blood pressure in obese adolescents