The FACILITY STUDY is aimed at evaluating maternal and children social, cultural, economic and lifestyle-related risk factors for the development of childhood overweight, obesity and early adiposity rebound (EAR). This study consists of two phases: a cross-sectional phase and a retrospective case-control study.
The FACILITY retrospective case-control study is conducted in one Italian hospital in Milan (Buzzi Children's Hospital) on children and adolescents (2-18 years old) with EAR and their mothers (≥ 18 years old). The estimated duration is 24 months. The primary objective of the FACILITY retrospective case-control phase is to identify maternal and child lifestyle and health determinants of EAR associated with childhood obesity. The secondary objective is to identify culture-accepted early-tailored-efficiency "model to action" aligned with the Maternal, New-born, and Child Health (MNCH) continuum care approach. This "policy-model" will be based on the results of the retrospective study and on the analysis of the current scientific evidence and on the research of the global, national and local policies (city of Milan). Participants of this study are mother-child dyads previously enrolled in the FACILITY cross-sectional study and willing to participate in the retrospective phase or newly enrolled patients from the hospital according to the eligible criteria. If eligible, variables related to the mothers and to the children will be retrospectively investigated with structured interviews and/or by consulting medical records. For the mothers, anthropometric variables (height and weight during and after pregnancy) will be obtained from medical records, if available, or will be requested orally by structured interviews. In addition, pathological anamnesis and drug consumption during pregnancy will be evaluated with the same methodologies. Information related to pregnancy, supplements consumption during pregnancy, as well as dietary, smoking, and alcohol habits during pregnancy and breastfeeding will be assessed with structured interviews. For the child, the nutritional status during the first 1000 days will be evaluated with the pediatric health booklet (weight, height/length, and head circumference). The type of breastfeeding and weaning characteristics will be investigated through a structured interview with the mothers. The child's dietary habits, physical activity, and motor gross achievement will be explored with the same methodologies.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
269
Early adiposity rebound (EAR)
Child health booklet: early adiposity rebound (years) if minimum BMI occurred before 5 years of age.
Time frame: Day 1
Overweight and obesity
BMI percentile in the Center for Disease Control (CDC) growth charts (overweight: 85th-95th percentile/2-3 Z score; obesity ≥ 95th percentile/≥ 3 Z score).
Time frame: Day 1
Breastfeeding mode
Structured interview (exclusive breastfeeding, formula feeding, mixed mode).
Time frame: Day 1
Mode and characteristics of weaning
Structured interview (time of initiation, foods' introduction sequence and proposed portions, introduction or non-introduction of all food categories, difficulties experienced by the mother or the child, safety measures, proper feeding in accordance with appetite and satiety signals, typical food traditions of the maternal culture/ethnicity).
Time frame: Day 1
Eating habits between 1 and 2 years of age
Structured interview (food and beverages consumed at breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, meal skipping, dietary variety).
Time frame: Day 1
Physical activity during the first 2 years
Structured interview (minutes and/or hours of daily physical activity). Results will be compared with WHO guidelines.
Time frame: Day 1
Gross Motor Milestone Development
Structured interview (month when child started to walk). If age starting walking will be \>18 months of age the child will be categorized as "late Motor Milestone".
Time frame: Day 1
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Socio-demographic status for children
Structured interview: child age (year), race/ethnicity (Caucasian, Black, Medioriental, Asiatic, Hispanic), education level (none, elementary, middle school, high school, degree), number of people in the house, number of years in Italy.
Time frame: Day 1
Gestational weight gain
Difference between pre- and post-pregnancy weight (kg). The gestational weight gain will be compared with IOM Pregnancy Weight Guidelines.
Time frame: Day 1
Pregnancy characteristic
Structured interview: spontaneous or assisted pregnancy, pregnancy related-diseases, delivery mode (natural or caesarean), birth spacing (year).
Time frame: Day 1
Dietary pattern during pregnancy
Structured interview (adherence to particular nutritional advice, the person/expert who gave the nutritional information, dietary pattern followed, consumption of typical traditional food/dishes).
Time frame: Day 1
Supplements consumed during pregnancy
Structured interview (number and type of supplement consumed, period of assumption, who advised her to take the supplement).
Time frame: Day 1
Food knowledge
Structured interview (choose between food options to identify foods containing carbohydrates/dietary fiber, foods low in fats, foods richest in protein/calories, individual perception on the definition of a balanced diet and healthy eating, perception of a relationship between dietary pattern and health status).
Time frame: Day 1
Smoking habits during and after pregnancy
Structured interview. Smoking of traditional tobacco cigarettes (manufactured or hand-rolled cigarettes) or electronic cigarettes or heated tobacco product (HTP) products before, during, after pregnancy. Based on smoking declaration women will be categorized as follows: never smoker (i.e., never smoked), past smoker (i.e., current nonsmoker), current smoke (i.e., current user of tobacco or electronic cigarette or HTP products).
Time frame: Day 1
Alcohol consumption during pregnancy
Structured interview. Weekly consumption of alcohol units during and after pregnancy \[1 alcohol unit = 12 g = small glass of red/white/rosé wine = can of double malt beer = small shot of hard liquor\]; alcohol consumption history. Based on alcohol consumption declaration, women will be categorized as follows: abstainers (i.e., subjects who do not drink alcohol, zero Units of Alcohol (U.A.)), occasional drinkers (i.e., subjects who drink less than 1 U.A./week), and daily drinkers (i.e., subjects who regularly drink alcohol, more than 1 U.A./week).
Time frame: Day 1
Socio-demographic characteristics status for mothers
Structured interview. Mothers' age, marital status, race/ethnicity, nationality, education level, residence, number of people in the house, current job, number of children, number of years in Italy, household status, household income.
Time frame: Day 1
Development of a "Model to action" policy to tackle childhood obesity
"policy-model" based on the results of the retrospective study
Time frame: Day 1