Latest news with #PediatricDiscovery
Associated Press
7 days ago
- Health
- Associated Press
Beyond the numbers: rethinking diets for overweight kids
GA, UNITED STATES, July 23, 2025 / / -- Tackling childhood obesity has long centered around rigid calorie counting and restrictive diets—methods that often backfire when applied to children. A new review proposes a gentler, more effective strategy: focusing on structure, not strictness. By encouraging consistent mealtimes, improving breakfast quality, simplifying food group choices, and cultivating a positive relationship with food, the approach shifts from control to cooperation. The goal is not immediate weight loss, but the establishment of healthy habits that last. These strategies reduce stress, empower families, and offer a sustainable path toward preventing obesity—without the numbers game. Over the past decades, childhood obesity has become a global health crisis, intensified by the sedentary routines and dietary disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Excess weight gained early in life not only leads to physical and psychological complications but also sets the stage for obesity in adulthood. Traditional treatment models often involve strict calorie control, which can overwhelm young children and create negative associations with food. In fact, research shows that pressure to diet can worsen weight gain and emotional eating. Due to these challenges, there is a growing need for kinder, more developmentally appropriate approaches to childhood nutrition and obesity prevention. On January 10, 2025, Pediatric Discovery published a narrative review (DOI: 10.1002/pdi3.2524 ) led by Dr. Karolina Kuźbicka from the Medical University of Gdańsk. Drawing on two decades of scientific literature and clinical insights, the study outlines a practical set of nutritional strategies to combat childhood obesity—without the use of calorie counting. Aimed at healthcare providers, educators, and parents, the review emphasizes simple, flexible routines that respect children's emotional needs and foster lasting behavioral change. Instead of calorie limits or rigid meal plans, the review introduces four foundational strategies: structured meal timing, balanced breakfasts, proportion-based food planning, and a healthy attitude toward eating. For instance, the author recommends eliminating unplanned snacks between meals, maintaining consistent mealtimes, and encouraging family meals to promote mindful eating. Breakfast is highlighted as a vital habit that supports better nutrient intake and cognitive function; small changes—like replacing sugary cereal with fiber-rich porridge—can make a meaningful difference. The review also advocates using visual plate models or daily portion guidelines to simplify food decisions without invoking calorie anxiety. Importantly, the emotional context of eating takes center stage. Rather than forcing children to eat certain foods, parents are encouraged to model healthy choices and create a low-pressure, positive environment around meals. Techniques such as sticker charts or involving children in meal prep help build confidence and ownership. These strategies aim not just to reduce weight but to reframe eating as a supportive, family-centered activity—one that sets the foundation for lifelong health. 'Childhood obesity isn't just a nutritional issue—it's an emotional one,' said Dr. Karolina Kuźbicka, the lead author of the review. 'What children need most is not dietary control, but guidance, routine, and trust. Our role is to shape a home environment where healthy choices feel natural, not forced. By making small, sustainable changes, we can help families shift the focus from counting calories to nurturing long-term well-being.' These nutrition-first strategies offer a low-stress, high-impact solution for professionals and families confronting the rise in childhood obesity. Their adaptability makes them especially useful in schools, clinics, and at home, with no need for complex diets or rigid tracking tools. While this review centers on nutrition, the framework opens doors for integration with physical activity and psychological support to further enhance impact. As research and practice evolve, this gentle, child-centered method may become a cornerstone of public health efforts—empowering children not through restriction, but through healthy habits and a positive food culture. DOI 10.1002/pdi3.2524 Original Source URL Lucy Wang BioDesign Research email us here Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Associated Press
18-03-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
New insights into hypospadias: SOX9's role in urethral formation revealed
GA, UNITED STATES, March 18, 2025 / / -- A recent study has uncovered the pivotal role of the transcription factor SOX9 in the development of hypospadias, a common congenital condition that affects male children. The research highlights how SOX9 regulates critical molecular pathways involved in urethral development, including the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The study reveals that reduced SOX9 expression leads to impaired EMT and abnormal Wnt signaling in tissues affected by hypospadias. These findings provide new insights into the condition's molecular underpinnings, potentially paving the way for innovative, targeted therapies. Hypospadias is a widespread congenital disorder, characterized by an abnormal placement of the urethral opening, impacting as many as 3.42% of male children worldwide. Beyond the physical consequences, this condition can lead to psychological and fertility issues. Surgical repair remains the only current treatment, but complications are common, and the genetic and cellular mechanisms involved remain poorly understood. With the prevalence of hypospadias on the rise, coupled with the challenges of surgical treatment, a deeper understanding of its molecular causes is urgently needed. Published (DOI: 10.1002/pdi3.94) on May 14, 2024, in Pediatric Discovery, the study conducted by researchers from the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University delves into the role of SOX9 in the development of hypospadias. The study investigates the expression of SOX9 in foreskin tissues from hypospadias patients, focusing on its influence on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The research team analyzed foreskin samples from 15 children with hypospadias, comparing them with normal foreskin tissues from children undergoing circumcision. Using molecular techniques such as transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting, and immunofluorescence, the researchers found that SOX9 expression was notably downregulated in hypospadias tissues. This downregulation was linked to reduced expression of key components of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, including Wnt3a, LEF1, and GSK3β. Additionally, mesenchymal markers like Vimentin and α-SMA were also diminished, while epithelial markers such as E-cadherin, Occludin, and ZO-1 were elevated, suggesting a disrupted EMT process. Inhibition of SOX9 in foreskin fibroblasts replicated these effects, further confirming SOX9's crucial role in regulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling and EMT during urethral development. Dr. Xing Liu, the lead researcher, stressed the significance of the findings: 'This is the first study to pinpoint SOX9 as a key player in hypospadias development. By understanding how SOX9 governs Wnt/β-catenin signaling and EMT, we can identify potential new therapeutic strategies to treat this condition.' The implications of these findings extend beyond basic science, with significant potential for clinical application. By elucidating the molecular mechanisms of hypospadias, the study uncovers new therapeutic targets that could lead to non-surgical treatments. Additionally, these insights into the genetic basis of the condition could improve surgical outcomes, offering better predictions and tailored approaches. The research also opens up new possibilities for early diagnosis and intervention, which could help mitigate the psychological and fertility-related challenges faced by affected individuals. DOI 10.1002/pdi3.94 Original Source URL Funding information This work was financed by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81970571), Natural Science Foundation Project of Science and Technology Commission of Chongqing (2022NSCQ-MSX0328) and Chongqing Medical University Program for Youth Innovation in Future Medicine. Lucy Wang BioDesign Research
