Leptin receptor expression in blood mononuclear cells of lactating women is associated with infant body weight: Potential role as a molecular biomarker.

BACKGROUND: Molecular biomarkers of maternal leptin resistance associated with infant weight are needed. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate gene expression of leptin receptor (LEPR), suppressor of cytokine signalling 3 (SOCS3) and insulin receptor in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of lactating women and their relationship with infant body weight and adiposity. METHODS: At day 10 postpartum, maternal gene expression in PBMCs as well as leptin and insulin concentrations in plasma and milk were assessed (n = 68). Infant weight and BMI z-scores, skinfolds and arm circumference were obtained at 10 days and/or at 3 months old. RESULTS: In mothers with pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity (OW/OB), LEPR expression was reduced (p = 0.013) whereas plasma and milk leptin and milk insulin concentrations were elevated. LEPR expression was positively related with infant weight z-score (Beta (95% CI): 0.40 (0.17, 0.63), p = 0.001) but not with leptin concentrations. SOCS3 expression was positively related with infant weight z-score (Beta (95% CI): 0.28 (0.04, 0.51), p = 0.024) and arm circumference (Beta (95% CI): 0.57 (0.32, 0.82), p < 0.001). Relationships remained significant after adjusting for maternal and infant confounders. CONCLUSIONS: LEPR and SOCS3 gene expression in PBMCs are novel maternal molecular biomarkers that reflect leptin resistance and are associated with infant body weight and adiposity.

Prolonged body weight gain, lifestyle changes and health-related quality of life in children during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown: A follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Further investigation is needed to define the impact of long-term pandemic lockdown in children. OBJECTIVES: To examine changes in body mass index z-score (zBMI), lifestyle, Health-Related Quality of Life and proportion of overweight or obesity (OW/OB) in 6- to 9-year-old children in Argentina. METHODS: Observational study with baseline measurements prior to lockdown and follow-up after eight months of strict restrictive measures (November 2020, first visit, n = 144) and after ten months of partial reopening (September 2021, second visit, n = 108). Anthropometric changes from baseline to first visit in lockdown group (LG) were compared with a historical control group (HCG, n = 134). Follow-up visits included anthropometric measures, lifestyle questionnaire and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory. RESULTS: Change in zBMI was higher in LG [median, IQR: 0.46 (-0.00; 0.83)] vs HCG [median, IQR: 0.02 (-0.31; 0.27)]; p < 0.001, particularly in children with pre-existing OW/OB. In LG, zBMI was higher at first and second visit vs baseline (p < 0.001) and in second visit vs first visit for boys (p = 0.037) but not for girls. The proportion of children with OW/OB increased from baseline (43.5%) to first (56.5%) and second visit (58.3%) (p = 0.029). Unlike girls, the proportion of boys with OW/OB increased from baseline to first and second visit (p = 0.045). Change in zBMI was higher in children with less healthy habits (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Weight gain continued to increase in boys when lockdown measurements were eased, although sedentary behaviors decreased and quality of life improved, indicating that the effects of pandemic lockdown could be difficult to reverse.

Os fora-da-turma: um estudo de caso sobre os parceiros rejeitados em grupos de crianças / The excluded ones: a case study about rejected partners in children's groups

Diferentes estudos demonstram haver diferenças significativas na forma de comportar-se das crianças rejeitadas socialmente. Assim, o presente artigo teve como objetivo discutir a rejeição social, em crianças de 3 a 4 anos de idade, numa turma de maternal de uma escola privada localizada no município de Belém do Pará. A metodologia envolveu entrevista sociométrica e observação comportamental. Os comportamentos foram classificados como Comportamento Pró-social e Comportamento Negativo e analisados conforme o índice de sociabilidade de cada membro do grupo. Os resultados indicaram que crianças preferidas tendem a apresentar mais comportamentos do tipo negativo do que pró-social, mas esses comportamentos são direcionados a determinadas crianças do grupo, enfatizando que a rejeição social ocorre por fatores inerentes a relações vivenciadas(AU)

Different studies demonstrate that there are significant differences in the behavior of socially rejected children. Therefore, the purpose of this article was to discuss social rejection, in children from 4 to 5 years of age, in a kindergarten group of a private school in the municipality of Belém, in the state of Pará. The methodology involved sociometric interview and behavioral observation. The behaviors were classified as Prosocial Behavior and Negative Behavior and were analyzed according to the level of sociability of each member of the group. The results showed that preferred children tend to present more negative behaviors than prosocial behaviors, but those behaviors are addressed to certain children of the group, emphasizing that social rejection is due to factors which are inherent to experienced relationships(AU)

Os fora-da-turma: um estudo de caso sobre os parceiros rejeitados em grupos de crianças / The excluded ones: a case study about rejected partners in children's groups

Diferentes estudos demonstram haver diferenças significativas na forma de comportar-se das crianças rejeitadas socialmente. Assim, o presente artigo teve como objetivo discutir a rejeição social, em crianças de 3 a 4 anos de idade, numa turma de maternal de uma escola privada localizada no município de Belém do Pará. A metodologia envolveu entrevista sociométrica e observação comportamental. Os comportamentos foram classificados como Comportamento Pró-social e Comportamento Negativo e analisados conforme o índice de sociabilidade de cada membro do grupo. Os resultados indicaram que crianças preferidas tendem a apresentar mais comportamentos do tipo negativo do que pró-social, mas esses comportamentos são direcionados a determinadas crianças do grupo, enfatizando que a rejeição social ocorre por fatores inerentes a relações vivenciadas.

Different studies demonstrate that there are significant differences in the behavior of socially rejected children. Therefore, the purpose of this article was to discuss social rejection, in children from 4 to 5 years of age, in a kindergarten group of a private school in the municipality of Belém, in the state of Pará. The methodology involved sociometric interview and behavioral observation. The behaviors were classified as Prosocial Behavior and Negative Behavior and were analyzed according to the level of sociability of each member of the group. The results showed that preferred children tend to present more negative behaviors than prosocial behaviors, but those behaviors are addressed to certain children of the group, emphasizing that social rejection is due to factors which are inherent to experienced relationships.