A Review of the Role of Built Environment and Temperature in the Development of Childhood Obesity.

The burden of obesity is rising globally and is studied widely, yet the evidence for the association of environmental factors (both built and natural) with childhood obesity remains inconsistent. A relation with temperature as a proxy for natural environmental factors for obesity has not been reviewed previously. The purpose of this review was to assimilate updated evidence on environmental factors of childhood obesity. Three databases, MEDLINE (Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online), Web of Science, and Cochrane, were searched for articles related to the effect of built environment and temperature on childhood obesity in 6-12-year-olds published in the last five years. Twelve studies were identified: four longitudinal and eight cross-sectional. The studies were appraised using the National Institute of Health Quality (NIH) Assessment Tool. A review of included studies showed that built environmental features like higher residential and population density, higher intersection density, more playgrounds, and all park features like the presence or availability of parks, high number of parks, proximity to parks, and an increased park land area, showed a protective association against childhood obesity while land use mix showed a promoting association for the development of childhood obesity. Inconclusive evidence was observed for other built environmental features. The search strategy did not retrieve any literature published in the past five years studying the association between temperature and the development of childhood obesity. Standardization of definitions of exposure and outcome measures is recommended. Further research studying the relationship between environmental temperature and the development of childhood obesity is recommended.

High prevalence of preobesity and obesity among medical students of Lahore and its relation with dietary habits and physical activity.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of obesity among students of medical colleges of Lahore and to study its correlation with high-caloric diet intake and physical inactivity. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at four medical colleges of Lahore, Pakistan between March and June 2012. METHODS: A total of 244 medical students (85 males, 159 females) of the median age of 20 years (range: 18-25) were randomly included in the study. Anthropometric measures were obtained. High-caloric diet intake and physical profile were assessed through a self-reported questionnaire. The relationships between obesity indices (body mass index [BMI], waist-to-hip ratio) were investigated and correlated with the studied dietary and physical activity factors. RESULTS: Approximately, 30.5% males and 16% females had BMI ≥25.0 kg/m(2) overall affecting 21% of total medical students. Central obesity was found in 46% of male and 31.4% of female students. Central obesity was associated with a higher total daily caloric intake, studying at private medical college and male gender. Overall, 197 of 244 (80.7%) students played no sports in college. Median time to watch television or work on the computer was 120 min a day (range: 30-420). Only 70 (28.7%) students had regular walk or jogging. CONCLUSION: A substantial proportion of Pakistani medical students were overweight or obese. Higher total daily caloric intake was associated with central obesity but not a BMI >25. Physical activity parameters favored an overall sedentary aptitude for medical students.