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...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-09-01
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| Series: | Children |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/10/10/1606 |
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| author | Stamatia Kokkou Venetia Notara Aikaterini Kanellopoulou Areti Lagiou Demosthenes Panagiotakos |
| author_facet | Stamatia Kokkou Venetia Notara Aikaterini Kanellopoulou Areti Lagiou Demosthenes Panagiotakos |
| author_sort | Stamatia Kokkou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T21:21:11Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fbfcc274dc064a2a921352f714875d72 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-9067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T21:21:11Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Children |
| spelling | doaj.art-fbfcc274dc064a2a921352f714875d722023-11-19T16:04:28ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672023-09-011010160610.3390/children10101606Protein Intake, Source and Effect on Children’s Weight Status: An Epidemiological Study in GreeceStamatia Kokkou0Venetia Notara1Aikaterini Kanellopoulou2Areti Lagiou3Demosthenes Panagiotakos4Department of Public and Community Health, Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, Alexandras Avenue 196, 115 21 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Public and Community Health, Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, Alexandras Avenue 196, 115 21 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences and Education, Harokopio University, Thiseos 70, 176 76 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Public and Community Health, Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, Alexandras Avenue 196, 115 21 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences and Education, Harokopio University, Thiseos 70, 176 76 Athens, GreeceThe 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.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/10/10/1606childrenoverweight/obesityplantanimaltotalprotein |
| spellingShingle | Stamatia Kokkou Venetia Notara Aikaterini Kanellopoulou Areti Lagiou Demosthenes Panagiotakos Protein Intake, Source and Effect on Children’s Weight Status: An Epidemiological Study in Greece Children children overweight/obesity plant animal total protein |
| title | Protein Intake, Source and Effect on Children’s Weight Status: An Epidemiological Study in Greece |
| title_full | Protein Intake, Source and Effect on Children’s Weight Status: An Epidemiological Study in Greece |
| title_fullStr | Protein Intake, Source and Effect on Children’s Weight Status: An Epidemiological Study in Greece |
| title_full_unstemmed | Protein Intake, Source and Effect on Children’s Weight Status: An Epidemiological Study in Greece |
| title_short | Protein Intake, Source and Effect on Children’s Weight Status: An Epidemiological Study in Greece |
| title_sort | protein intake source and effect on children s weight status an epidemiological study in greece |
| topic | children overweight/obesity plant animal total protein |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/10/10/1606 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT stamatiakokkou proteinintakesourceandeffectonchildrensweightstatusanepidemiologicalstudyingreece AT venetianotara proteinintakesourceandeffectonchildrensweightstatusanepidemiologicalstudyingreece AT aikaterinikanellopoulou proteinintakesourceandeffectonchildrensweightstatusanepidemiologicalstudyingreece AT aretilagiou proteinintakesourceandeffectonchildrensweightstatusanepidemiologicalstudyingreece AT demosthenespanagiotakos proteinintakesourceandeffectonchildrensweightstatusanepidemiologicalstudyingreece |