Sex and gender differences in childhood obesity: contributing to the research agenda
Childhood obesity is a major public health challenge and its prevalence continues to increase in many, but not all, countries worldwide. International data indicate that the prevalence of obesity is greater among boys than girls 5–19 years of age in the majority of high and upper middle-income count...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMJ Publishing Group
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| Series: | BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health |
| Online Access: | https://nutrition.bmj.com/content/early/2020/09/07/bmjnph-2020-000074.full |
| _version_ | 1818879345449500672 |
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| author | Catherine S Birken Bindra Shah Katherine Tombeau Cost Anne Fuller Laura N Anderson |
| author_facet | Catherine S Birken Bindra Shah Katherine Tombeau Cost Anne Fuller Laura N Anderson |
| author_sort | Catherine S Birken |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Childhood obesity is a major public health challenge and its prevalence continues to increase in many, but not all, countries worldwide. International data indicate that the prevalence of obesity is greater among boys than girls 5–19 years of age in the majority of high and upper middle-income countries worldwide. Despite this observed sex difference, relatively few studies have investigated sex-based and gender-based differences in childhood obesity. We propose several hypotheses that may shape the research agenda on childhood obesity. Differences in obesity prevalence may be driven by gender-related influences, such as societal ideals about body weight and parental feeding practices, as well as sex-related influences, such as body composition and hormones. There is an urgent need to understand the observed sex differences in the prevalence of childhood obesity; incorporation of sex-based and gender-based analysis in all childhood obesity studies may ultimately contribute to improved prevention and treatment. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T14:28:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4af0452e9d66431a9ef4a4bdbee540dd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2516-5542 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T14:28:36Z |
| publisher | BMJ Publishing Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-4af0452e9d66431a9ef4a4bdbee540dd2022-12-21T20:17:31ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health2516-554210.1136/bmjnph-2020-000074Sex and gender differences in childhood obesity: contributing to the research agendaCatherine S Birken0Bindra Shah1Katherine Tombeau Cost2Anne Fuller3Laura N Anderson4Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaHealth Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, CanadaNeuroscience and Mental Health, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaDepartment of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaHealth Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, CanadaChildhood obesity is a major public health challenge and its prevalence continues to increase in many, but not all, countries worldwide. International data indicate that the prevalence of obesity is greater among boys than girls 5–19 years of age in the majority of high and upper middle-income countries worldwide. Despite this observed sex difference, relatively few studies have investigated sex-based and gender-based differences in childhood obesity. We propose several hypotheses that may shape the research agenda on childhood obesity. Differences in obesity prevalence may be driven by gender-related influences, such as societal ideals about body weight and parental feeding practices, as well as sex-related influences, such as body composition and hormones. There is an urgent need to understand the observed sex differences in the prevalence of childhood obesity; incorporation of sex-based and gender-based analysis in all childhood obesity studies may ultimately contribute to improved prevention and treatment.https://nutrition.bmj.com/content/early/2020/09/07/bmjnph-2020-000074.full |
| spellingShingle | Catherine S Birken Bindra Shah Katherine Tombeau Cost Anne Fuller Laura N Anderson Sex and gender differences in childhood obesity: contributing to the research agenda BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health |
| title | Sex and gender differences in childhood obesity: contributing to the research agenda |
| title_full | Sex and gender differences in childhood obesity: contributing to the research agenda |
| title_fullStr | Sex and gender differences in childhood obesity: contributing to the research agenda |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sex and gender differences in childhood obesity: contributing to the research agenda |
| title_short | Sex and gender differences in childhood obesity: contributing to the research agenda |
| title_sort | sex and gender differences in childhood obesity contributing to the research agenda |
| url | https://nutrition.bmj.com/content/early/2020/09/07/bmjnph-2020-000074.full |
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