Background: The increasing rates of childhood obesity (CO) are an ongoing problem. We focused on the adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD), physical activity, and sleep habits of preschool children in order to investigate the relationship between lifestyle habits and health outcomes through parental perception. Methods: In the context of “EpPOI: Education to prevent CO”, we investigated physical activity (PA) and sleep hygiene using an online survey for caregivers. Parents also completed the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for children and adolescents (Kid-Med) questionnaire. Results: A total of 5.3% of the interviewees achieved a score indicating an adequate adherence to the MD. Additionally, 50.5% of children ate sweets every day, and 80% skipped breakfast. We also found that the parents’ perceptions of their children’s PA were a predictor of MD adherence, and PA was also positively correlated with fruit consumption [p < 0.034], vegetable consumption [p < 0.015], and fish consumption [p < 0.005]. Conclusions: Parents seem to be oriented towards a healthy lifestyle, but the children’s level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet is poor. CO prevention requires a synergic effort that includes an adherence to healthy eating patterns such as the MD and a greater awareness of parents on the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle at an early age.

Background: The increase in childhood obesity rates represents a serious public health problem. The project “EpPOI: Education to prevent childhood obesity” is aimed at a multidisciplinary approach to raise awareness of the importance of preventing childhood obesity through lifestyle education. Methods: Two actions by experts were performed: an intervention with children in schools and a meeting for both parents and school staff. Participants completed a questionnaire structured as a Likert scale. Results: The sample size was 96 people, and awareness of the childhood obesity problem as well as the need for obesity prevention was high among respondents. We also found great interest among participants in having more information on pediatric nutrition and physical activity, with a positive correlation with age. Furthermore, the multivariate regression model configured interest in having more information on nutrition and physical activity as an independent and statistically significant predictor of awareness of childhood obesity as a current issue. Conclusions: The results highlight the need to act on childhood obesity through lifestyle prevention strategies early in life.

Background: The rising prevalence of childhood obesity (CO) has been strongly linked to physical inactivity and sedentary behavior. Early development of functional movement skills (FMS) is crucial for fostering active lifestyles and preventing CO. Methods: We assessed the FMS of 102 children aged 3–5 using the MOBAK test battery. Parents completed a Likert-scale questionnaire evaluating their perception of their child’s motor competence. Results: A total of 102 children and 92 parents participated. Although 61.1% of children engaged in regular sports activities, only 20.5% reached a satisfactory MOBAK total score (Score 3). Significant gender differences emerged in locomotor skills (Score 2) and overall performance (Score 3), with p-values < 0.026 and <0.016, respectively. A significant negative correlation between BMI and Score 2 was observed (p < 0.030). Parents significantly overestimated their children’s FMS (p = 0.0001). Conclusions: Findings emphasize the importance of early interventions targeting FMS enhancement and parental education to effectively support CO prevention strategies and promote lifelong physical activity.

Background: Osteocalcin (OC) is a bone-derived hormone increasingly implicated in glucose and lipid metabolism. Although its metabolic role has been extensively investigated in adults, evidence in pediatric populations remains limited. This exploratory study aimed to evaluate the relationship between serum OC levels and glucose metabolism in children and adolescents with obesity. Methods: A single-center, retrospective study was conducted in a cohort of pediatric patients with essential obesity. Auxological and biochemical parameters were assessed, including fasting glucose, insulin, lipid profile, liver enzymes, thyroid function, calcium–phosphorus metabolism, vitamin D₃, parathormone (PTH), C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX), and OC. Insulin resistance was evaluated using the HOMA-IR index (>2.5 considered positive). Correlation analyses were performed to assess the associations between serum OC levels and metabolic, biochemical, and clinical parameters. Results: Twenty-two of 33 patients (66.7%) had insulin resistance (HOMA-IR > 2.5) despite preserved glucose tolerance. Mean fasting glucose was 88.1 ± 10.83 mg/dL, fasting insulin 24.9 ± 13 μU/mL, and mean serum OC 112.1 ± 56.1 ng/mL. Serum OC levels were positively correlated with fasting insulin (r = 0.41, p = 0.023) and HOMA-IR (r = 0.46, p = 0.013). Conclusions: In children with obesity and preserved glucose tolerance, higher serum OC levels were associated with insulin resistance. Further studies in larger pediatric cohorts are needed to clarify this association and evaluate the potential role of OC as a biomarker of early metabolic dysregulation.