Apart from influencing the health of the worldwide population, the COVID-19 pandemic changed the day-to-day life of all, including children. A sedentary lifestyle along with the transformation of eating and sleep habits took place in the child population. These changes created a highly obesogenic environment. Our aim was to evaluate the current weight in the child population and identify the real effects of the pandemic. Height and weight data were collected by pediatricians from the pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 periods from 3517 children (1759 boys and 1758 girls) aged 4.71 to 17.33 years. We found a significant rise in the z-score BMI between pediatric visits in the years 2019 and 2021 in both sexes aged 7, 9, 11, and 13 years. Especially alarming were the percentages of (severely) obese boys at the ages of 9 and 11 years, which exceed even the percentages of overweight boys. With the use of statistical modeling, we registered the most dramatic increment at around 12 years of age in both sexes. Based on our research in the Czech Republic, we can confirm the predictions that were given at the beginning of the pandemic that COVID-19-related restrictions worsened the already present problem of obesity and excess weight in children.

Background: The long-standing widespread prevalence of obesity includes issues of its evaluation. Nutritional status may be assessed using various tools and methods; among others simple anthropometric measurements are well established. Widely used body mass index (BMI), presents an obstacle of needing to calculate a standard deviation score (SD) for correct use in the child population. As BMI overlooks body composition, it is necessary to evaluate fat and muscle mass with different methods. Established skinfolds and circumferences are used in many variations and equations to accomplish that goal; however, the parameters used in these methods also undergo secular changes. Furthermore, secular changes have been documented in fat mass distribution. The aim of the study is to assess secular changes of skinfolds thickness and body circumferences and evaluate their validity for use in clinical practice and population research. Methods and sample: Our database consisted of a recent (2016–2022) sample with 594 participants (298 males) and a reference sample (from 1990) with 2,910 participants (1,207 males). Both cohorts comprised Czech preschool children, aged 4.00 to 6.99 years. With standard methodology, anthropometric parameters were obtained for 13 skinfolds and eight circumferences, by trained staff. The equations of Slaughter, Durnin and Deurenberg were correspondingly calculated. Statistical evaluation was conducted in the R programming language, using Welch’s test, Cohen’s d and the Bland–Altman method. Results: Our study found significant increases in skinfold thickness on the abdomen, chest I. and forearm, with high clinical relevance (p ≥ 0.01; d = range from 0.20 to 0.70). Contrastingly, apart from the abdominal area, a decrease of circumferences was observed. The body fat percentage estimation equations were tested for bias in the recent sample in the context of bioimpedance analysis with the Bland–Altman method. All equations are suitable for application in clinical use. Discussion: Documented secular changes in fat mass distribution are only part of a contemporary accelerating trend of obesity prevalence. Our findings support the trend of a decline of circumferences and rise of skinfold thickness in corresponding areas, especially on the limbs, that is evidenced by the trend of latent obesity. The results of the study show the need to complement established diagnostic procedures in childhood obesitology with abdominal and midthigh circumferences and optionally even the maximal circumference of the forearm. These circumferences should always be measured alongside the skinfold thickness of the region. Only in this way can the overall adiposity of an individual with regard to secular changes, including the detection of latent obesity, be objectively evaluated.

The rising prevalence of obesity in children calls for new strategies for the provision of effective care by a multidisciplinary team. Telemedicine has overall proven to be an effective tool for promoting a healthy lifestyle. The main objective of the current paper is to present the protocol of our ongoing CardioMetabolic Prevention (CAMP) study and compare its design with published studies on telemedicine in paediatric obesity. Additionally, we analysed the preliminary anthropometric and laboratory data to test the efficacy of our 12-week intensive program that combines in-person and telemedicine support. The program demonstrated a positive impact on body mass index (BMI) and its z-scores in 21 adolescents, and BMI in 18 participating parents. However, we found no effect on body composition, waist circumference, cardiometabolic parameters, or fitness evaluated via a 6-min walk test in adolescents. In conclusion, the combination of in-person and telemedicine intensive support over 35 h delivered by a multidisciplinary team can be beneficial not only for adolescents with obesity but also for their parents. The ongoing CAMP study serves as a platform for precision medicine in future decisions regarding anti-obesity medication in adolescents with obesity.

Background/Objectives: The medial longitudinal arch (MLA) is initially masked by a fat pad that makes the foot appear flat. In preschool age, this fat pad resorbs, and the arch becomes more defined. The exact age at which the arch attains its final form remains uncertain due to high inter-individual variability and differing assessment methods, which complicates the distinction between physiological development and potential abnormalities. Moreover, commonly used classification terms such as “flat” or “normal” do not adequately reflect the developmental progression and may be misleading in young children. This study aimed to describe the MLA developmental patterns and propose an adjusted classification terminology to improve clinical differentiation between feet undergoing normal developmental changes and cases requiring intervention. Methods: The present study employs both cross-sectional (285 children aged 4.00–8.99 years) and longitudinal (50 children measured annually between ages 4–6) designs. Foot dimensions were assessed using standard anthropometry, and the MLA was assessed via podograms using the Chippaux–Smirak index (CSI). To better reflect the developmental nature of the MLA, the arch was categorized as “formed” and “unformed”. Cross-sectional data were analyzed with ANOVA and visualized using LOESS regression, longitudinal data with linear mixed models, and relationships between CSI and foot dimensions with Spearman’s correlation. Results: MLA development showed significant changes up to age 6, with the most pronounced changes occurring between ages 4 and 5 and slowing thereafter. Children with an unformed arch at age 4 exhibited a steeper developmental trajectory than those with an already advanced arch form. Correlations between arch shape and foot dimensions were statistically significant but weak. No significant between-sex differences were observed. Conclusions: The timing of the most pronounced phase of medial longitudinal arch (MLA) development varies between individuals and is typically completed by 6 years of age, with no sex-dependent differences. Age 6 therefore represents a practical milestone for reliable clinical assessment, since earlier classifications risk misinterpreting normal developmental variation as pathology.

Onemocn?n? covid-19 p?ineslo zm?ny ve fungov?n? spole?nosti a mnoho omezen?, krom? samotn?ho omeze n? pohybu obyvatelstva tak? zav?en? ?kol a sportovi??. Prodlou?en? doby sledov?n? obrazovek mobil? a po??ta?? v r?mci online v?uky p?isp?lo spol... Onemocn?n? covid-19 p?ineslo zm?ny ve fungov?n? spole?nosti a mnoho omezen?, krom? samotn?ho omeze n? pohybu obyvatelstva tak? zav?en? ?kol a sportovi??. Prodlou?en? doby sledov?n? obrazovek mobil? a po??ta?? v r?mci online v?uky p?isp?lo spol...