/pdf/data-resource-profile-the-new-zealand-integrated-data-wstm2e4u2s.pdf

Data Resource Profile: The New Zealand Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI).

Statistical models have been developed for the prediction or diagnosis of a wide range of outcomes. However, to our knowledge, only 7 published studies have reported models to specifically predict overweight and/or obesity in early childhood. These models were developed using known risk factors and vary greatly in terms of their discrimination and predictive capacities. There are currently no established guidelines on what constitutes an acceptable level of risk (i.e., risk threshold) for childhood obesity prediction models, but these should be set following consideration of the consequences of false-positive and false-negative predictions, as well as any relevant clinical guidelines. To date, no studies have examined the impact of using early childhood obesity prediction models as intervention tools. While these are potentially valuable to inform targeted interventions, the heterogeneity of the existing models and the lack of consensus on adequate thresholds limit their usefulness in practice.

/pdf/prediction-models-for-early-childhood-obesity-applicability-4w6h1naz9y.pdf

Prediction Models for Early Childhood Obesity: Applicability and Existing Issues.

Perspective: Human Milk Oligosaccharides: Fuel for Childhood Obesity Prevention?

Paediatric obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally, resulting in significant adverse effects on health and wellbeing. Early life events, including those that happen before, during, and after pregnancy can predispose children to later obesity. The purpose of this review is to examine the magnitude of obesity among New Zealand children and adolescents, and to determine their underlying risk factors and associated comorbidities. PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar searches were performed using the key terms “obesity”, “overweight”, “children”, “adolescents”, and “New Zealand”. Obesity is a major public health concern in New Zealand, with more than 33% of children and adolescents aged 2–14 years being overweight or obese. Obesity disproportionately affects Māori (New Zealand’s indigenous population) and Pacific children and adolescents, as well as those of lower socioeconomic status. New Zealand’s obesity epidemic is associated with numerous health issues, including cardiometabolic, gastrointestinal, and psychological problems, which also disproportionately affect Māori and Pacific children and adolescents. Notably, a number of factors may be useful to identify those at increased risk (such as demographic and anthropometric characteristics) and inform possible interventions. The prevalence of overweight and obese children and adolescents in New Zealand is markedly high, with a greater impact on particular ethnicities and those of lower socioeconomic status. Alleviating the current burden of pediatric obesity should be a key priority for New Zealand, for the benefit of both current and subsequent generations. Future strategies should focus on obesity prevention, particularly starting at a young age and targeting those at greatest risk.

Childhood obesity in New Zealand.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/1753-6405.12881

Child obesity prevalence across communities in New Zealand: 2010-2016.

SummaryBackground
Prevalence of childhood obesity is high in developed countries, and there is a growing concern regarding increasing socio-economic disparities.

Objectives
To assess trends in the prevalence of overweight, obesity and extreme obesity among New Zealand 4-year olds, and whether these differ by socio-economic and ethnic groupings.

Methods
A national screening programme, the B4 School Check, collected height and weight data for 75–92% of New Zealand 4-year-old children (n = 317 298) between July 2010 and June 2016. Children at, or above, the 85th, 95th and 99.7th percentile for age and sex adjusted body mass index (according to World Health Organization standards) were classified as overweight, obese and extremely obese, respectively. Prevalence rates across 6 years (2010/11 to 2015/16) were examined by sex, across quintiles of socio-economic deprivation, and by ethnicity.

Results
The prevalence of overweight, obesity and extreme obesity decreased by 2.2 [95% CI, 1.8–2.5], 2.0 [1.8–2.2] and 0.6 [0.4–0.6] percentage points, respectively, between 2010/2011 and 2015/2016. The downward trends in overweight, obesity and extreme obesity in the population persisted after adjustment for sex, ethnicity, deprivation and urban/rural residence. Downward trends were also observed across sex, ethnicity and deprivation groups.

Conclusions
The prevalence of obesity appears to be declining in 4-year-old children in New Zealand across all socio-economic and ethnic groups.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/ijpo.12260

R Audas

Papers

Improving rates of overweight, obesity and extreme obesity in New Zealand 4-year-old children in 2010-2016