Impact of Low Maternal Education on Early Childhood Overweight and Obesity in Europe.

Background: Comparable evidence on adiposity inequalities in early life is lacking across a range of European countries. This study investigates whether low maternal education is associated with overweight and obesity risk in children from distinct European settings during early childhood.

Methods: Prospective data of 45 413 children from 11 European cohorts were used.

Mother's education and the risk of preterm and small for gestational age birth: a DRIVERS meta-analysis of 12 European cohorts.

Background: A healthy start to life is a major priority in efforts to reduce health inequalities across Europe, with important implications for the health of future generations. There is limited combined evidence on inequalities in health among newborns across a range of European countries.

Methods: Prospective cohort data of 75 296 newborns from 12 European countries were used.

Population-based trends of pregnancy outcome in obese mothers: what has changed over 15 years.

Maternal obesity is a growing concern worldwide. We aimed to determine trends of obesity in women of reproductive age over a 15-year period, the relationship between prepregnancy weight status and pregnancy-related outcomes, and possible changes over a 15-year period. Data was derived from two identical, cross-sectional National Perinatal Surveys (NPSs).

Inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity--epidemiology and correlations: a nationwide greek study from birth to 18 years.

We examined the prevalence of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD]-like symptoms) at 7 and 18 years in a Greek birth cohort, and associated factors. Information was derived from a representative sample of 2695 Greek individuals followed-up from birth to18 years through 3 questionnaire surveys (1983, 1990, 2001). At 7 years, the prevalence of hyperactivity was 7%, inattention 9.

Relationship between eating behavior, breakfast consumption, and obesity among Finnish and Greek adolescents.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between eating-related behaviors, particularly breakfast consumption, and weight status in Finnish and Greek adolescents.

Methods: A total of 6,468 16-year-old Finnish adolescents and 2,842 17- and 18-year-old Greek adolescents, based on the latest follow-up of 2 population-based cohorts, were studied. Univariate analysis examined the associations between breakfast consumption, family meals, emotional eating, bingeing, and weight status in both populations.

Tracking of overweight and obesity in Greek youth.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and tracking of overweight and obesity in a representative sample of Greek youth and the relation with child and parental factors.

Methods: Data were derived from 2 follow-ups of the Greek 1983 National Perinatal Survey by means of a questionnaire completed by parents in 1990 and parents/adolescents in 2001. Parent- and self-reported height and weight measurements were available for 7,219 participants aged 7, and 2,842 participants aged 18.

Can we be optimistic about asthma in childhood? A Greek cohort study.

Objective: To examine the prevalence and natural course of asthma from childhood to adolescence in a population-based, Greek birth cohort and to identify associated factors.

Methods: Longitudinal information on asthma symptoms, physician diagnosed and treated, was available for 2133 children at 7 and 18 years of age.

Results: The prevalence of current asthma was 9.

Parental stress affects the emotions and behaviour of children up to adolescence: a Greek prospective, longitudinal study.

Systematic research about the continuity of mental health problems from childhood to adolescence is limited, but necessary to design effective prevention and intervention strategies. We used a population-based representative sample of Greek adolescents, followed-up from birth to the age of 18 years, to assess early influences on and the persistence of mental health problems in youth. We examined the role of peripartum, early development and parental characteristics in predicting mental health problems in childhood and adolescence.

The generation gap in numbers: parent-child disagreement on youth's emotional and behavioral problems: a Greek community based-survey.

Objective: To evaluate discrepancies between parent and child reports on youth's emotional and behavioral problems in a representative, community based sample of Greek 18-year-olds, and to identify associated factors.

Methods: A total of 2,927 completed pairs of parent-child questionnaires were studied, including the child behavior checklist (CBCL) and the youth self-report (YSR). Linear regression analysis was used to identify both child and parental characteristics significantly associated with parent/child disagreement on scores for youth's Internalising, Externalising and Total problems scales for both genders separately.

Comparison of self-reported emotional and behavioural problems in adolescents from Greece and Finland.

Aim: To compare self-reported emotional and behavioural problems among Greek and Finnish adolescents.

Methods: Youth Self-Report scores were analysed for 3373 Greek adolescents aged 18 years and 7039 Finnish adolescents aged 15-16 years from the general population in both countries. The impact of country, gender, place of residence, socioeconomic status (SES) and family stability on the scores was evaluated.

Social determinants of self-reported emotional and behavioral problems in Greek adolescents.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the social factors associated with self-reported emotional and behavioral problems among Greek adolescents.

Methods: At age 18, a population-based sample of 3373 Greek adolescents completed the Youth Self-Report (YSR) questionnaire.

Results: The results from the multivariate analysis indicated that both lack of intimate friendships and not having parental monitoring were independently associated with problem behavior among both male and female adolescents.

Does exclusive breastfeeding increase after hospital discharge? A Greek study.

To monitor the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in Greek maternity wards and to investigate possible changes in infant-feeding practices during the first month after hospital discharge, the authors questioned 4310 Greek mothers from 7 hospitals on the fourth day postpartum. Odds ratios were calculated to estimate the effects of health system, demographic, psychosocial, and environmental factors. Any breastfeeding and full breastfeeding initiation rates were 85% and 23%, respectively.

Working mothers breastfeed babies more than housewives.

Aim: To examine the prevalence and determinants of breastfeeding and to identify perinatal, sociodemographic, psychosocial and environmental factors associated with maternal infant feeding intention.

Methods: A sample of 3734 Greek mothers that delivered their infants in 2000 was recruited in a longitudinal cohort study. Data on duration of breastfeeding was based on a questionnaire answered by 76.

Prevalence of recurrent complaints of pain among Greek schoolchildren and associated factors: a population-based study.

Aim: To determine the prevalence of recurrent complaints of pain (RCP) in Greek children, and to examine associations with socio-demographic characteristics and psychosocial factors.

Methods: Cross-sectional study comprising a nationally representative population of 8130 7-y-old Greek schoolchildren. Data were collected by mailed questionnaires (response rate 89%).

Improvement of sun-related knowledge and protection practice.

The aim of this study was to examine changes in sun-related knowledge and sun protection practice among Greek mothers and children during 1993-2002. A total of 315 mothers in 1993 and 295 mothers in 2002, with their 649 and 491 children respectively, were randomly selected to answer the same questionnaire on sun-related issues. Sun knowledge and protection practice were determined by an index score.