Post-COVID economic recovery: women and children first … or last?
3
Citation
5
Reference
10
Related Paper
Citation Trend
Abstract:
Twenty-first century science underpinned the rapid global response to COVID-19, identifying the causal pathogen, sequencing the SARS-CoV-2 genome, developing vaccines and initiating clinical trials, within 9 months of first appearance. Although in tackling the immediate consequences of the pandemic countries responded to science in different ways, every nation now grapples with the economic consequences and the question of where to focus investment. Here, we argue that insights from 21st century science can also lead the way to economic recovery. These indicate that there should be a prime focus on healthy populations resilient to unexpected challenges and that this is to a large extent dependent on maternal, neonatal and child health (MNCH). Recovery from COVID-19 offers a unique opportunity to target investment on MNCH.
Post-COVID economic recovery will have to take place against the continuing backdrop of the growing population prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that are progressively crippling health systems, societies and economies. Thus, in 2019, the USA witnessed a reversal of the rise in life expectancy and healthy longevity that characterised previous decades. Pre-COVID policies were unable to tackle these challenges; hence, restoring the status quo appears to be a doomed strategy. However, science shows clearly that MNCH is of pivotal importance to preventing and reducing the population prevalence of physical and mental NCDs.1 For example, babies born preterm, are growth restricted or born to mothers who are undernourished, overweight or with diabetes represent a large and growing proportion of all births and are at substantially increased odds of developing hypertension, diabetes, renal impairment, heart disease and other chronic NCDs in adult life.2 In …Keywords:
Pandemic
Global Health
In a nationally representative cohort of 5362 children born in one week in March 1946 weights and heights were recorded at 6, 7, 11, 14, 20, and 26 years. Overweight was defined as a weight that exceeded the standard weight for height, age, and sex by more than 20% (relative weight greater than 120%). The prevalence of overweight was 1.7% and 2.9% in boys and girls respectively at 6 years; 2.0% and 3.8% at 7 years; 6.4% and 9.6% at 11 years; 6.5% and 9.6% at 14 years; 5.4% and 6.5% at 20 years; and 12.3% and 11.2% at 26 years. The risk of being overweight in adulthood was related to the degree of overweight in childhood and was about four in 10 for overweight 7-year-olds. Analysis of the data in the reverse direction showed that 7% and 13% respectively of 26-year-old overweight men and women had been overweight at the age of 7. These results suggest that there is no optimal age during childhood for the prediction of overweight in adult life and that excessive weight gain may begin at any time. Overweight children are more likely to remain overweight than their contemporaries of normal weight are to become overweight.
Cite
Citations (232)
Cite
Citations (20)
This study determined the sensitivity and specificity of parental overweight from self-reported height and weight to identify families with overweight school age children. A cross sectional study was conducted among 3059 parents and their children (1558 boys and 1501 girls) aged 7-12 years in five primary schools of Busan, Korea. BMI was calculated from parental reported height and weight and from children's measured height and weight. Parents were considered overweight when their BMI was >25 kg/m2 (WHO, 2000). Children were considered overweight when their BMI was >95th percentile (CDC, 2000). Prevalence of overweight was calculated and logistic regressions were performed. The sensitivity and specificity of parental overweight were calculated. A total of 26% (805/3059) parents were overweight. Of the families with one overweight parent, 15% (N = 109) had an overweight child. When both parents were overweight, 17% (N = 9) had an overweight child. After adjusting for child's age and gender, parental education, family income, and spouse's BMI as required, the odds of having an overweight child were 2.5 [1.8, 3.3] for one overweight parent, and 3.2 [1.4, 7.1] for both overweight parents. While the sensitivity of one overweight parent to identify families with overweight school age children was 44%, specificity was 75%. The presence of both overweight parents provided a 3% sensitivity and 98% specificity for the identification of an overweight school age child. Although parental overweight was obtained from self-reported weight and height in Busan (Korea), it is a practical indicator to identify families with an overweight school age child, it has poor sensitivity.
Spouse
Cite
Citations (7)
Cite
Citations (15)
The purpose of the study was to find out differences in moderate to vigorous physical activity among non-overweight, overweight and obese children, and between boys and girls. The sample included 364 children (179 boys and 185 girls), aged 6.4 years (+/- 0.3 SD). Physical activity was assessed by 7-day questionnaire. Age adapted BMI was used as overweight and obesity indicator. The children were divided into non-overweight, overweight and obese groups. It was found out, that there are significant differences in non-overweight, overweight and obese children (p < 0.05). Boys were significantly (p < 0.05) less moderate to vigorous physical active than girls, especially in indoor activities. There were also significant differences (p < 0.05) in moderate to vigorous physical activity among non-overweight and obese boys and among overweight and obese boys in weekends and total weekly activity. In girls there are significant differences (p < 0.05) in non-overweight, overweight and groups in weekends and total weekly activity. It is possible to conclude, that obese boys and overweight and obese girls, are prone to less physical activity.
Cite
Citations (48)
Cite
Citations (1)
Based on cross sectional data from a general population of 5,817 people aged 14 to 61, objective overweight is compared with perceived overweight, and information is provided on morbidity due to being overweight, and on what people are doing to try to lose weight. We found that 10 percent of this population are moderately overweight and 12 per cent are severely overweight (although 41 per cent perceive they are overweight). Being overweight is associated with poorer functional status (e.g., overweight is given as the main reason for functional limitations by 13 per cent of people with such limitations) and with considerable pain, worry, and restricted activity because of this condition (e.g., 88 per cent of people who believe they are overweight worry at least a little about it). Only about 7 per cent of those who perceive they are overweight are under a doctor's care to lose weight. If physicians wish to assume a larger role in caring for overweight people, the nature of their role must be carefully evaluated.
Worry
Cite
Citations (175)
Childhood overweight is rapidly on the rise and underlies the younger presentation of diabetes. The aim of this study was to determine the association between overweight and age, sex, and the perception of the overweight children by their mothers. Three hundred and twenty-one (160 males) children (mean age 4.39 +/- SD 0.83 yr) [body mass index (BMI) 16.6 +/- 2.11] from schools at the kindergarten level were evaluated. Data on age, sex, weight, and height were recorded. At risk for overweight and overweight were defined as a BMI of > or = 85th or > or = 95th percentile, respectively. Written questionnaires for mothers' perceptions about their children's eating habits (a lot, right, little, or very little) and shape (very fat, fat, normal, and thin) were performed. The prevalence of at risk of overweight and overweight was 19 and 18.4%, respectively. There was a significant difference in the proportion of distorted perception of shape between mothers of normal-weight children vs. those of at risk of overweight and overweight children (17 vs. 87.5%, p < 0.001). Seventy-six and 98% of mothers of overweight and at risk of overweight children, respectively, rated them as normal or thin. Mothers exhibited poor overall ability to estimate the way at risk of overweight and overweight children ate. There was a significant difference in the proportion of distorted perception of eating habits between mothers of normal-weight children vs. those of at risk of overweight and overweight children (36.3 vs. 90.8%, p < 0.001). Eighty-four and 96% of mothers of obese and overweight children, respectively, thought that their children ate right or little. A multiple regression analysis using BMI > 95th percentile as the dependent variable showed that the mothers' perceptions of shape and eating habits [odds ratio 4.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.5-7.8; p < 0.0001] were both significant independent risk factors for overweight, adjusted for age and sex. The agreement between the perception of shape and eating habits vs. the medical records BMI > 95th percentile was poor; for shape: kappa 0.31 + 0.07; 95% CI 0.17-0.44, and for nutrition: 0.14 + 0.06; 95% CI 0.02-0.27. This suggests that the mothers' perceptions of shape and eating behavior is a predictor of obesity and could be used in clinical practice as a simple tool to identify children at high risk for overweight.
Cite
Citations (40)