Family lifestyle and childhood obesity in an urban city of Northern Italy.

PURPOSE: Over the last decades, the prevalence of overweight and obesity in elementary school children has steadily increased worldwide. This phenomenon is also linked to food habits. The main purpose of our study was to understand the role that environmental factors may play in this context; in particular, we investigated how and to what extent family food habits and children lifestyle are associated with the spread of children obesity. METHODS: One hundred and nine primary schools, with 6-11-year-old children (n = 14,500), were recruited for this cross-sectional study in Milan (Italy). Children anthropometric data were measured and reported by parents; citizenship, fruit and vegetable consumption data of both parents and children were collected. Time spent watching television and doing physical activity was also investigated in children. RESULTS: The study revealed that children's vegetable (not fruit) consumption was positively associated with physical activity, while negatively associated with time watching TV; in particular, fewer hours spent watching television were a stronger protective factor than more hours spent doing physical activity. Moreover, the parental feeding style was associated with children's attitudes toward consumption of fruit and vegetable. Family characteristics (family size and level of parents' education) and children gender were associated to the risk of being overweight/obese. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the relevance of environmental factors in childhood food consumption and BMI distribution among children in an urban city. This is the reason why we stress the need to design ad hoc interventions, which should be developed in accordance with the socio-economic peculiarities of a cosmopolitan city suburb.

An advanced Artificial Intelligence platform for a personalised treatment of Eating Disorders.

Introduction: Eating Disorders (EDs) affect individuals globally and are associated with significant physical and mental health challenges. However, access to adequate treatment is often hindered by societal stigma, limited awareness, and resource constraints. Methods: The project aims to utilize the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL), to improve EDs diagnosis and treatment. The Master Data Plan (MDP) will collect and analyze data from diverse sources, utilize AI algorithms for risk factor identificat io n, treatment planning, and relapse prediction, and provide a patient-facing chatbot for information and support. This platform will integrate patient data, support healthcare professionals, and empower patients, thereby enhancing care accessibility, personalizing treatment plans, and optimizing care pathways. Robust data governance measures will ensure ethical and secure data management. Results: Anticipated outcomes include enhanced care accessibility and efficiency, personalized treatment plans leading to improved patient outcomes, reduced waiting lists, heightened patient engagement, and increased awareness of EDs with improved resource allocation. Discussion: This project signifies a pivotal shift towards data-driven, patient-centered ED care in Italy. By integrat ing AI and promoting collaboration, it seeks to redefine mental healthcare standards and foster better well- being among individuals with EDs.

Childhood obesity, overweight and underweight: a study in primary schools in Milan.

AIMS: The study aims to assess the prevalence of obesity, overweight and underweight in children enrolled in government primary schools (6-11 years of age) in the city of Milan, Italy. METHODS: One hundred and nine schools were randomly selected for the study. A cross-sectional study was conducted between March and June 2008. A survey was conducted using 16,588 questionnaires completed by parents. Anthropometric data (reported) of both parents and children and information on levels of physical activity and time children spent watching television (TV) were obtained. RESULTS: In the total sample, parents are predominantly (75.0 %) of normal weight (M: 55.2 %; F: 79.1 %), 16.8 % are overweight (M: 36.9 %; F: 12.6 %), 4.0 % are obese (M: 6.6 %; F: 3.5 %) and 4.2 % are underweight (M: 1.3 %; F: 4.8 %). Among children, 68.7 % are of normal weight (M: 68.2 %; F: 69.2 %), 14.7 % are overweight (M: 15.3 %; F: 14.2 %), 4 % are obese (M: 4.5 %; F: 3.4 %), 11.8 % are underweight (M: 11.2 %; F: 12.5 %) and 0.8 % are severely thin (M: 0.9 %; F: 0.7 %). Children practice physical activity once or twice/week (48.3 %), three to four times/week (38.9 %) or five to seven times/week (8.9 %), while 3.9 % of children do not do any exercise. Most children (85.3 %) watch TV from 30 min to 2 h/day. CONCLUSION: Contrary to the reported national average, the study shows the presence of only moderate levels of above-average weight and obesity among children. However, it remains important to monitor this phenomenon to raise awareness and to design programs of prevention throughout the country.

Social networks and eating disorders during the Covid-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to assess the increase both in the use of the Internet and social media and in Google searches regarding eating disorders (ED) in Italy during the Covid-19 pandemic. Our aim is also to verify the possible impact of such an increase on ED, since patients treated for ED by the National Health Service (NHS) have increased in the first 6 months of 2020 as well. METHOD: We used data from Wearesocial surveys on Internet users in the first 6 months of 2020 and the Google searches related to the query of "food disorders" and "body shaming." The first results of a project of the Italian Ministry of Health on ED have been considered too. RESULTS: The social media users in July 2020 increased to 60% of the Italian population; a tendential increase in Google searches on these issues has emerged. Finally, new patients of NHS with ED showed a high increase in the first 6 months of 2020 (+40.9%). CONCLUSION: Considering the contents diffused on the Internet, it is fundamental to watch over net usage in the adolescent population and those with ED, because massive access to social media can be considered almost as a risk factor.