The Association between the Dietary Antioxidant Index and Weight Status in Primary School Students: An Epidemiological Study.

Obesity is an emerging threat and a current challenge for children and adolescents worldwide. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the relationship between the Dietary Antioxidant Index (DAI) and the weight status of students in early adolescence. A sample of 1580 students aged 10-12 years from 47 primary schools in Greece were enrolled. Anthropometric characteristics were assessed, and calculation of the Body Mass Index (BMI) was used to categorize students into two weight-status groups. Dietary habits and physical activity were evaluated using a self-completed questionnaire, and the DAI was calculated through derived micronutrients' content, along with energy, macro-, and micro-nutrient intake. Crude and adjusted regression analysis showed a significant inverse association of the DAI and body weight status (Odds Ratio (OR): 0.719, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.576; 0.897, and adjusted Odds Ration (aOR): 0.667, 95% CI: 0.489; 0.907). An antioxidant diet seems to play a protective role against increased body weight among students in early adolescence. Thus, dietary patterns rich in antioxidants should be promoted to facilitate healthy habits early in life, and to fight the obesity threat.

Protein Intake, Source and Effect on Children's Weight Status: An Epidemiological Study in Greece.

The development of overweight and obesity during late childhood and early adolescence is one of the most critical issues in public health. Additionally, over the past few years, the consumption of protein has tended to increase in both children and adults. The present study aimed to evaluate whether the protein type, either plant- or animal-sourced, as well as the quantity consumed, could potentially have a relationship with excess body weight in children. A total of 47 primary schools were selected, and 1728 students, aged 10-12 years, were enrolled for the purposes of this study, leading to our final sample of 712. Physical measurements, such as weight and height, were measured, and children were separated into two weight status categories according to their Body Mass Index, which was obtained through the International Obesity Task Force criteria. Students' diets were assessed through a questionnaire, and total, plant- and animal-derived protein intakes were calculated. Unadjusted analysis showed a statistically significant association between body weight and plant protein. After adjustment for overall energy intake, sex, age, and exercise, there was a statistically significant negative association between plant protein and excess body weight in children (OR: 0.964, 95% CI: 0.936; 0.992), but a lack of association for animal-sourced protein (OR: 1.002, 95% CI: 0.991; 1.013). Dietary plant-derived protein seems to have a positive effect on weight status in children, independently of total energy intake and physical activity; nevertheless, additional research is required in order to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Clustering of Activity-Related Behaviors in Relation to Self-Reported Causes of Stress among Pre-Adolescents: Results from a National Epidemiological Study.

An epidemiological study was conducted among 1728 10-12-year-old students (55.1% girls) and their parents during 2014-2016 in Greece. This study aimed to identify the dominant clusters of physical activity/sedentariness among preadolescents and investigate their association with self-reported sources of stress. Children's physical activity levels and sources of stress were evaluated using validated questionnaires that assessed daily hours of activities, both on weekdays and on weekends, including physical activity, screen-based sedentary time, and non-screen-based sedentary time. The k-means algorithm of cluster analysis was applied. Three clusters of children's physical activity/sedentariness were revealed. Cluster 1 was characterized as "Inactive-Non sedentary", cluster 2 as "Active -Non-screen sedentary", and cluster 3 as "Inactive-Sedentary". Parental needs/expectations were associated with physical activity patterns (p = 0.009), i.e., children assigned to the third and second clusters had 36% and 51% lower odds to be stressed due to parental requirements [(OR for cluster 3 = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.41-0.99), (OR for cluster 2 = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.32-0.76)], compared with their first-cluster counterparts. Considering the need to promote physical activity in early life stages, the identification of these complex activity-related patterns along with their significant interaction with parental expectations as a cause of stress could enhance the effectiveness of targeted behavior change interventions among those parent-child dyads most in need.

The Synergetic Effect of Soft Drinks and Sweet/Salty Snacks Consumption and the Moderating Role of Obesity on Preadolescents' Emotions and Behavior: A School-Based Epidemiological Study.

The consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) is high along with the prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems among children and adolescents. The present study sought to investigate the synergetic effect of soft drinks and sweet/salty snacks consumption, and the moderating role of obesity on preadolescents' emotions and behavior. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1728 Greek preadolescents aged 10-12 and their parents, during the school years 2014-2016. Parental and child characteristics were collected anonymously, through self-administered and validated questionnaires. Among others, soft drinks and sweet/salty snacks consumption was recorded, classifying preadolescents as low or at least moderate consumers, while anthropometric characteristics (height, weight, Body Mass Index (BMI)) were also recorded. Approximately 6 out of 10 preadolescents were characterized by at least moderate consumption of either sweet/salty snacks, or soft drinks, while 22.7% of the participants had at least moderate consumption of both soft drinks and sweet/salty snacks. Boys and preadolescents with a lower level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet, as well as those living in a more obesogenic family environment were more likely to be in the higher consumption groups. When compared to just either the moderate consumption of sweet/salty snacks, or the moderate consumption of soft drinks, the combination of both unhealthy eating habits was associated with significantly higher odds of both aggressiveness and loneliness, while the examined relationships were significantly stronger in overweight/obese children. The positive synergistic effect of soft drinks and sweet/salty snacks consumption on preadolescents' emotions of loneliness and aggressive behavior is even burdened by obesity status highlighting the urgent need for policymakers to take preventive measures to halt the detrimental consequences of UPFs consumption on health outcomes, particularly in overweight/obese children. The importance of the improvement of children's unhealthy eating habits by emphasizing the association between food intake and emotional and behavioral status is highlighted.

Association between Family and School Pressures, Consumption of Ultra-Processed Beverages, and Obesity in Preadolescents: A School-Based Epidemiological Study.

The aim of the present work was two-fold. Firstly, to evaluate the association between the consumption of ultra-processed beverages (UPB) on preadolescents' likelihood of being obese. Secondly, to investigate the potential impact of family and school environmental stressors on this unhealthy lifestyle habit. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1718 Greek preadolescents and their parents, during the school years 2014 to 2016. Parental and child characteristics were collected anonymously, through self-administered and validated questionnaires. Among others, UPB consumption (soft and flavored drinks) was recorded, classifying children as low, moderate, or high consumers, while anthropometric characteristics [height, body weight, Body Mass Index (BMI)] were also recorded. Almost seven out of ten preadolescents were classified as at least moderate UPB consumers, while approximately three out of ten were classified as high UPB consumers. Higher UPB consumption was associated with significantly higher levels of BMI, while preadolescents living in a more stressful family and school environment were found to consume significantly higher amounts of UPB. Stakeholders should implement programs that raise awareness among parents and teachers about the sources of stress in preadolescence as a potential "triggering factor" of unhealthy dietary preferences.

The path between breakfast eating habit, sleep duration and physical activity on obesity status: An epidemiological study in schoolchildren.

Background: Although the literature suggests that skipping breakfast, insufficient sleep, and reduced physical activity are associated with childhood obesity their co-influence and their in-between interactions on weight status have rarely been studied. Aim: To examine the co-influence of breakfast eating habits, sleep duration, and physical activity on the weight status of children 10-12 years old from several schools of Greece. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1688 students in Greece, during 2014-2016. Children's Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated and classified according to the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) classification. Logistic regression models and path analysis were used. Results: Overweight/obesity prevalence was higher in boys (32.5% vs. 20.4%; p < 0.001). Average sleep duration decreased the odds of overweight/obesity [OR (95% CI): 0.86 (0.76, 0.97)] independently of the frequency of breakfast habit. Interaction between sleep duration with breakfast habit (p = 0.002) and physical activity (p < 0.001) was observed. Path analysis showed a negative association of BMI with sleep duration (standardized beta = -0.095, p < 0.001). A third-order interaction between breakfast habit, sleep duration, and physical activity revealed that daily breakfast eating along with adequate sleep and moderate/adequate physical activity levels, decreased the odds of over-weight/obesity by 55% [OR 0.45, 95% CI (0.27, 0.72)]. Conclusion: Although sleep duration is inversely associated with weight status independently of breakfast habit, the co-influence of adequate sleep duration with frequent breakfast eating and moderate/adequate physical activity seems to be a profoundly higher associated as a result of synergy against childhood obesity.

The Association of Junk Food Consumption with Preadolescents' Environmental Influences: A School-Based Epidemiological Study in Greece.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of environmental influences on Greek preadolescents' junk food consumption. A cross-sectional study, was conducted among 1718 preadolescents (mean (standard deviation(SD)) age: 11.2(0.8) years old; 54% girls) and their parents, during the school years 2014-2016. Parental and child characteristics were collected anonymously, through self-administered and validated questionnaires. Among others, junk food consumption was recorded, classifying children as low, moderate, and high consumers. The majority of the preadolescents were classified as at least moderate junk food consumers, while almost 3/10 children were classified as high junk food consumers. A significantly lower junk food consumption was observed among preadolescents with a healthier family environment, consisting of normal-weight parents who consume junk foods less frequently, prefer home-cooked meals and adhere more to the Mediterranean diet, while more frequent family meals were also associated with lower junk food consumption. In addition, influence from teachers and participation in extracurricular sports activities were significantly associated with lower junk food consumption, while advertisements were found to have a significant negative impact on preadolescents' eating habits. Notwithstanding, peers were not found to influence their dietary choices in terms of junk food consumption. Both parents and teachers seem to be positive influencers on preadolescents' low junk food consumption. The detrimental role of advertisements on junk food consumption is reconfirmed, while peers' influence is not significant on junk food consumption. The need for urgent public health initiatives for the promotion of healthy dietary habits among preadolescents is warranted.

The Association between Breakfast Macronutrient Composition and Body Weight, in Preadolescence: An Epidemiological Study among Schoolchildren.

Over the last few decades, childhood overweight and obesity tend to reach epidemic proportions. The present study aimed to examine whether the composition of breakfast, through the prism of its macronutrient content, could play a part in the development of excess body weight in children. A sample of 1728 Greek students from 47 primary schools was enrolled for the purposes of this study. Their weight and height were measured and their Body Mass Index was calculated and classified according to the International Obesity Task Force criteria. Their dietary habits, breakfast foods of choice, and physical activity were assessed through the use of a self-completed questionnaire. Further assessment of breakfast composition was carried out in order to evaluate its macronutrient content. Initial analysis, which was only energy-adjusted, showed a negative association between body weight and breakfast protein content and a positive association for lipid content. After further adjustment for age, sex, level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and physical activity, there was a significant negative association between breakfast protein and excess body weight in children (p = 0.029), as well as a significant positive association of breakfast lipid content (p = 0.028). Breakfast macronutrient content seems to have an effect on body composition in children, independently of overall adherence to the Mediterranean diet and physical activity, however further research is needed in order to elucidate potential pathways.

The Association between Obesity and Depression among Children and the Role of Family: A Systematic Review.

One of the most critical factors that affects or leads to obesity is depression. However, another point of view is that obesity leads to depression. This systematic review estimates evidence arising from observational and systematic studies concerning the association between obesity and depression in children and adolescents. Moreover, the role of the family environment is investigated in this review. A systematic literature search was performed for research conducted between 2014 and 2021 on PubMed. The basic inclusion criteria were the language, study issue and type, and age of the participants. Studies that examined non-healthy populations, or were not related, or with no access were excluded. Titles and abstracts were screened independently, and full-text manuscripts meeting inclusion criteria were extracted. Finally, twenty-seven studies were retained. Most of them highlighted a positive association between obesity and depression. However, it is not clear whether obesity leads to depression or vice versa. Our review also revealed that the role of the family in this association has not been well studied and understood, since only one study addressed the issue. The evidence from our review emphasizes major public health issues; therefore, appropriate health policies should be developed. Moreover, additional research is required to fully understand the role of the family environment in the association between depression and obesity in childhood.

The Role of Milk on Children's Weight Status: An Epidemiological Study among Preadolescents in Greece.

Milk consumption contributes greatly to children's diet, playing a pivotal role in the development and structure of bones and the functioning of the musculoskeletal system and the heart. This study investigated the association between the type of milk and childhood overweight/obesity. In the school period 2014-2016, 1728 students aged 10-12 years and their parents participated. The measurement and classification of their weight status were performed through the criteria of the International Obesity Task Force. Among others, the type of milk consumption was recorded. Four categories of the type of milk children consumed were classified (white milk, chocolate milk, both types of milk, and no milk at all). Children consuming only white milk were 33.1% less likely to be overweight/obese in comparison with children who were not consuming milk at all [OR (95% CI): 0.669 (0.516, 0.867), p = 0.002]. The consumption of chocolate milk showed a protective role against childhood overweight/obesity although its association was not consistently significant. This study highlights the significant contribution of milk (and particularly of white milk) consumption to weight management, and thus its promotion should be consistently encouraged. More studies are needed to shed light on the effects of different dairy foods on weight status in childhood.

The Association between Stress and Children's Weight Status: A School-Based, Epidemiological Study.

Given the evidence on how stress affects weight status in children, this research examined this association among Greek students aged 10−12 years old. Overall, 1452 children and their parents from several urban areas participated in an observational study conducted during the period 2014−2016. Participants completed validated questionnaires. International Obesity Task Force guidelines were used for children's weight status classification. Descriptive statistics and nested logistic regression models were used. Multivariate correspondence analysis was also used to construct a score to evaluate the children's stress levels. The overall prevalence of overweight/obesity was 27%. More than 80% of the children appeared to have a medium or high level of stress, mainly due to the school environment. School-related stress increased the odds of obesity in children. The association between stress and overweight/obesity status showed a consistent trend (adjusted odds ratios varied from 1.44 to 1.52, p-values < 0.01). Children's weight status was associated with several school-related stressors. Although the school environment may play an aggravating role in the weight status of children, family plays a catalyst role in this direction. Therefore, actions have to be promoted in the school community so that children become more health literate on a public health level.

The Association of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages to Children's Weights Status Is Moderated by Frequency of Adding Sugars and Sleep Hours.

Adding extra sugars in milk and the moderating effect of sleep has yet to be investigated, setting the aim of this study. A total of 1361 school-aged children were included, aged 10−12 years old, by randomly sampling schools. Data were interview-obtained by trained personnel using a validated 17-item food frequency questionnaire, with specifics on type of milk and extra sugar additions. Analyses were stratified by average recommended hours of sleep. Predictive probability margins were obtained following necessary adjustments. Mean BMI was significantly lower, the level of SSB intake was higher, and the prevalence of adding sugars to milk four or more times per week was higher in children that slept ≥10 h. Most children (64%) consumed full fat milk, 21% had low fat, and 19.7% chocolate milk, with a significantly larger proportion of overweight or obese children consuming full fat or chocolate milk, also adding extra sugars four or more times per week (4.1% compared to 9.6%, and 12.2% compared to 39.5%, respectively). The predictive probability of being overweight or obese exponentially increased for children consuming >0.5 SSB/day while also adding sugars to their milk frequently, although this effect remained significant only for children sleeping <10 h/day. In conclusion, to accurately address the effect of SSBs on children's body weight, frequency of any type of sugar addition in milk should be accounted for, as well as average sleep hours that may further moderate the effect.

The role of family structure in health literacy in children and adolescents: a narrative review.

Childhood and adolescence are the periods in which children shape their character and behavior. This is also the period for children to adopt good health behaviors and to gain health knowledge- to gain health literacy (HL). Several factors play an important role in this. Among them are the person's characteristics, family and social environment, literacy in general, cultural influences, and technological advances. The present study reviews the recent scientific evidence on the role that the family structure plays in HL in children and adolescents. A literature search was performed, until July 2019, in PubMed and Scopus. Appropriate keywords, related to HL and family structure, were used. Titles and abstracts were screened independently, and full-text manuscripts meeting inclusion criteria were extracted. Ten studies were included in this literature review. Several aspects of family structure (e.g., marital status, members of family, parental educational level, etc.) seemed to play a positive role in children's HL status in the sense that children improve their HL when raised in families whose members have better HL. Although there is good evidence that HL positively affects children's and adolescents' health behavior, the role of family structure in children's HL has not been well studied and understood.

Inverse Association Between Health Literacy and Obesity Among Children in Greece: A School-Based, Cross-Sectional Epidemiological Study.

Children's health literacy is a crucial pillar of health. This study is aimed to examine the association between health literacy and weight status among Greek schoolchildren aged 10 to 12 years old. A population-based, cross-sectional observational study enrolling 1,728 students (795 boys), aged 10 to 12 years old, was conducted during school years 2014-2016. A health literacy index (range 0-100) was created through an item response theory hybrid model, by combining a variety of beliefs and perceptions of children about health. The mean health literacy score was 70.4 (±18.7). The majority of children (63.8%) had a "high" level (i.e., >67/100) of health literacy, 30.5% had a "medium" level (i.e., 34-66/100) of health literacy, while a small proportion of children (5.7%) had a "low" level (i.e., <33/100). Girls exhibited a higher level of health literacy than boys (71.7 ± 18.3 vs. 68.8 ± 19.1, p < .01). Regarding body weight status, 21.7% of children was overweight and 5.0% was obese. Linear regression models showed that the health literacy score was inversely associated with children's body mass index (regression coefficient [95% CI]: -0.010 [-0.018, -0.001]), after adjusting for dietary habits, physical activity levels, and other potential confounders. Health literacy seems to be a dominant characteristic of children's weight status; therefore, school planning, as well as public health policy actions should emphasize on the ability of children's capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information.

Assessing the association between breastfeeding, type of childbirth and family structure with childhood obesity: results from an observational study among 10-12 years old children.

This study examined the association between breastfeeding, type of childbirth, and family structure with childhood obesity. During 2014-2016, 1728 Greek students attending primary schools and their parents were enrolled. Children's weight status was measured and classified according to the International Obesity Task Force criteria. A self-administered questionnaire assessing the type of childbirth, the family structure, and several perinatal and demographic characteristics was used. Factors associated with higher breastfeeding rates were the type of childbirth, high maternal educational level, and nuclear family structure. No association was found between childhood obesity and type of childbirth (p = 0.64) and family structure (p = 0.26). Although the short-term beneficial effects of breastfeeding on childhood obesity are undeniable and it is of great importance to all health professionals to promote breastfeeding, no significant long-term effects on obesity in adolescence were observed. More studies are needed in order to elucidate the role of breastfeeding in obesity status in adolescence.

Dietary Patterns, Weight Perception and Obesity Status, among 10-12-Year-Old Children; an Epidemiological Study in Greece.

Adherence to certain dietary patterns influences obesity status in both children and adults. Weight perception influences dietary habits. The aim of this study was to examine children's dietary habits and obesity status, in relation to weight perception. One thousand seven hundred Greek students enrolled in this study during 2014-2016. Children's characteristics were assessed through validated questionnaires, and weight status was classified according to the criteria of the International Obesity Task Force. Dietary patterns were assessed through exploratory factor analysis. Overall, 52.2% of children characterized themselves as normal weight, 34.5% as low weight, and 13.3% as overweight/obese; 52.5% of children were in accordance with their actual weight status, with girls being more likely to overestimate their weight. Children followed three dietary patterns, i.e., starchy and protein foods, unhealthy/high-fat foods, and healthy foods. Children who followed the healthy dietary pattern and had accurate weight perception (in accordance with their actual weight), had lower odds of being overweight/obese (p < 0.001). Accurate weight perception in conjunction with healthy dietary habits may play a determinant role in the prevention of obesity. From a public health perspective, early identification of children's weight misperception along with healthy dietary habit promotion shape a crucial role in childhood obesity confrontation.

Household food spending, parental and childhood's diet quality, in financial crisis: a cross-sectional study in Greece.

BACKGROUND: Over the past decade, the financial crisis has affected harshly the household income of Greek people. This study aimed to investigate whether the effect of the financial crisis on food spending has affected the dietary habits in the family environment. METHODS: Under a cross-sectional study conducted during 2014-2016, 1145 children and their parents completed questionnaires examining socio-economic and dietary characteristics. The MedDietScore and the KIDMED Score were used to assess parental and childhood adherence to the Mediterranean diet, respectively. RESULTS: The parents who reported that the financial crisis has affected food spending used to consume weekly fewer fruits (3.26 ± 0.94 vs. 3.41 ± 0.90, P = 0.016), carbohydrate foods (3.16 ± 0.57 vs. 2.99 ± 0.55, P < 0.001) and legumes (3.28 ± 0.76 vs. 3.14 ± 0.67, P = 0.001) and more nutrient-poor/energy-dense foods (2.55 ± 0.98 vs. 2.20 ± 0.82, P < 0.001) compared with non-affected parents. Their children showed a decreased weekly consumption of vegetables (2.82 ± 0.90 vs. 2.97 ± 0.98, P = 0.019) and increased weekly consumption of nutrient-poor/energy-dense foods (2.38 ± 0.97 vs. 2.19 ± 0.80, P < 0.001). The affected parents had a lower MedDietScore than non-affected parents (25.76 ± 8.10 vs. 27.03 ± 8.11, P = 0.034). No difference was revealed on the KIDMED Score (P = 0.294). CONCLUSIONS: The constrained food spending due to financial crisis has an independent and inverse impact on parent's diet quality while keeping unaffected preadolescent's diet quality. This finding highlights the role of parents as a protective 'wall' against the deterioration of their children's diet quality. The modification on the prices of healthy food and the provision of food aid particularly in economically disadvantaged households is underlined.

Extracurricular Sports Participation and Sedentary Behavior in Association with Dietary Habits and Obesity Risk in Children and Adolescents and the Role of Family Structure: a Literature Review.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Childhood obesity is considered a major problem in the modern world, associated with many health issues in youth. This review aimed the association between extracurricular sports participation, sedentary time/screen time, and "obesogenic" and "non-obesogenic" dietary habits among youth and to explore the role of family structure on the adoption of sedentary behaviors by children. RECENT FINDINGS: Increased participation in extracurricular sports was associated with a healthier dietary pattern, containing more "non-obesogenic" food choices. Opposite results were indicated by sedentary activities. Increased time in watching TV, computer/electronic games, and other screen devices was positively associated with unhealthy dietary patterns. Overall, extracurricular activities influence the quality of food choices, which may prevent or promote childhood obesity; thus, sport-related activities should be promoted through public health policies. The role of the family structure is contradictory.

Sleeping patterns and childhood obesity: an epidemiological study in 1,728 children in Greece.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Sleep is an essential normal function for children's growth and development, but over the years, lifestyle changes have resulted in insufficient sleep, a factor that may be associated with increased childhood obesity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between sleep duration and sleep patterns separately on weekdays and weekends regarding children's weight status. METHODS: This study was conducted among Greek students (55.1% girls) in 2014-2016. Children's weight status was classified according to the International Obesity Task Force tables and guidelines. Sleep duration was determined based on the sleep and wake time that children reported, separately for weekdays and weekends. Classification and regression tree analysis was used to derive sleep patterns and evaluate their relation to children's weight status. RESULTS: Multiadjusted analysis revealed an inverse association between average duration of sleep on weekdays and weekends with the likelihood of being overweight/obese (odds ratio per 1 hour 0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.73-0.92). This was more prominent on weekends than on weekdays. Children who had lower duration on weekdays, but catch-up sleep duration on weekends, were 2% (95% confidence interval, 0.97-0.99) less likely to be overweight/obese compared to those children having both less or increased sleep duration on weekdays and weekends. CONCLUSIONS: Sleep duration and sleep patterns seem to be associated with childhood weight status. Interventions should be developed to educate parents on the importance of an adequate sleep duration and healthy sleep patterns for their children's healthy development.

Parental consumption of ultra-processed, high-fat products has no association with childhood overweight/obesity: an epidemiological study among 10-12-years-old children in Greece.

BACKGROUND: Overweight and obesity during childhood consist two of the most important public health issues in the 21st century. Consumption of high-fat processed food has been increased alarmingly. OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between parental ultra-processed, high-fat products' consumption and childhood overweight/obesity. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey, conducted among 422 children, aged 10-12 years, and their parents, during school years 2014-16. Parental and child data were collected through self-administered, anonymous and validated questionnaires. Among others, high-fat ultra-processed food consumption was also recorded. Children's weight status was based on gender- and age-specific tables derived from the International Obesity Task Force body mass index (BMI) cut-offs. RESULTS: The prevalence of obesity in the reference population was 2.9%, whereas the prevalence of overweight was 19.3%. A strong correlation was observed between children's and their parents' BMI status (P < 0.001). Multi-adjusted data analysis revealed no association between parental intake of ultra-processed, high-fat products and children overweight/obesity. Similarly, when the data analysis accounted for family income and physical activity status of the children, the aforementioned results remained insignificant. CONCLUSION: Despite the fact that parents' specific dietary habits seem not to affect their children's weight status, public health programs should consider parental nutrition education and mobilization as a preventive measure for childhood overweight/obesity.