FACILITY: feeding the family-the intergenerational approach to fight obesity, a cross-sectional study protocol

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Pediatrics
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Paediatric obesity is a critical 21st-century health challenge, with a 10-12 fold increase worldwide over four decades.
• Childhood obesity is multifactorial, influenced by socioeconomic status, ethnicity, lifestyle, maternal factors, and the food environment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children.
• To assess the impact of lifestyle, socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental factors on childhood obesity.
• To inform the development of mother-child centered prevention programs.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study design was employed.
• The study, "FACILITY: feeding the family-the intergenerational approach to fight obesity," investigates maternal and child risk factors.
• Data collection focuses on lifestyle, socioeconomic, cultural, economic, environmental, and health-related factors.

Main Results:

• The study aims to identify key risk factors contributing to childhood obesity.
• Results will provide insights into the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the pediatric population.
• The research will highlight the interplay between various determinants of childhood obesity.

Conclusions:

• Findings will form the basis for a "primordial prevention program" targeting early childhood obesity.
• The study emphasizes the need for multidisciplinary approaches in tackling pediatric obesity.
• Understanding contributing factors is crucial for developing effective, evidence-based interventions.