The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature was to analyze and evaluate the impact of prematurity and accelerated weight gain on the risk of childhood and adolescent obesity. CINAHL, Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science databases were searched until December 2019 which yielded 19 studies with a total of 169,439 children enrolled were systematically reviewed. The results revealed that preterm infants had a greater likelihood of childhood obesity (defined as BMI ≥95^th percentile for age-sex), than term infants (OR = 1.19, 95% CI [1.13, 1.26]). However, no difference of childhood obesity was found between “small for gestational age”(SGA) and “appropriate for gestational age”(AGA) among preterms. Accelerated weight gain (defined as weight gain velocity during first two years after birth) significantly increased the likelihood of subsequent childhood obesity among preterms (aOR = 1.87, 95% CI [1.57, 2.231]). In conclusion, accelerated weight gain at infancy among preterm children may be a critical contributor to obesity in later life. Establishing optimal growth trajectories and timely referral to health care providers may be of clinical importance.

Interactive Journal of Medical Research

There is a scarcity of resources and studies that utilize targeted weight management interventions to engage parents via mHealth tools targeting obese children and adolescents with mild intellectual disabilities (MIDs) extended from school to a home setting. To test the feasibility and acceptability of a school-based weight program (SBWMP) involving parents via mHealth tools designed to reduce weight, enhance knowledge and adopt healthy lifestyles, and thereby achieve better psychosocial well-being among children and adolescents with MIDs. Four special schools were randomly assigned as intervention or control schools. Students from the intervention group (n = 63) were compared to those in the control group (n = 52), which comprised those with usual school planned activities and no parental involvement. Demographics were considered as covariates in a general linear model, an ordinal regression model and a binary logistic regression model analyzing the relationships between the SBWMP and the outcome variables at baseline (T0) and six months later (T1). Body weight, body mass index, and triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness were lower in the intervention group compared to the control group, although the differences were not statistically significant. There was a positive and direct impact of the SBWMP on students’ health knowledge and psychological impacts in the intervention group. The SBWMP extended to the home involving parents via mHealth tools is a feasible and acceptable program for this group with MIDs and their parents.

Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is a crucial tool for maintaining glycemic control in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). However, to date, little is known about the current status of SMBG engagement among women with GDM in China. To describe the current status of SMBG engagement among women with GDM in China and identify its barriers and facilitators. A mixed-methods design was conducted, comprising a cross-sectional survey and semi-structured interviews. The research data were collected in two tertiary hospitals in Hunan province, China. A total of 323 women with GDM completed the survey from March 2018 to October 2018, and 11 of them participated in the interviews. In total, 35.6% of the participants actively engaged in SMBG. The participants who had an advanced maternal age (95% CI 0.253-0.947), did not own glucose meters (95% CI 0.054-0.364), did not receive SMBG-related information from health professionals (95% CI 0.232-.987), or received less SMBG information in general (95% CI 0.137-0.52) were less likely to engage in SMBG. Insufficient SMBG information and low awareness of SMBG were also summarized as the main barriers in the interview findings. Facilitators of SMBG engagement included SMBG-related social support (95% CI 1.573-6.135) and health concerns related to themselves and the unborn infant. About one-third of Chinese women with GDM engaged in SMBG. An accurate and complete description of how SMBG should be performed is needed from health professionals. Strategies to obtain more SMBG-related social support and a greater emphasis on health concerns are recommended to increase SMBG engagement among women with GDM in China.