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Biomedical subjects

O Hövels

Publications and source records attributed to O Hövels.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

[Significance of gender of obese children and body weight of parents and siblings for the results of the treatment of obesity in childhood].

We studied the influence of family size, family history of obesity, and the obese children's sex on the short and medium term outcome of an obesity therapy in children aged 10.7 +/- 3 years with mean percentage overweight of 41.4 +/- 16.9%. Family parameters such as obesity on other family members, single child families, and sex of the obese children did not influence the decision to stop or to complete therapy. Boys were more successful in weight reduction than girls both after 3-6 months and after 3-5 years; the difference being not significant, however. Children without family history initially were significantly less overweight than those with familial obesity, and they exhibited the best short and medium term results. Children of obese families initially were the fattest ones. They reduced their weight more than average, but they tended to regain weight during the following 3-5 years, reaching the highest levels of overweight after that time. Children without family history of obesity did not regain weight, however. Thus even after good short term results obese children of obese parents should be regarded at risk for relapse and should be checked for years after therapy to prevent weight regain.

Body Weight↗
PubMed1990

[Growth, maturation and environment].

Using as example the secular trend, relations between growth, maturation and environment are discussed. This phenomenon is characterized by an increase of the average height and an acceleration of growth velocity and maturation. The increase is acquired mainly in the early childhood. The secular trend has been modified by local and socio-economic differences in the frequency of malnutrition and morbidity. It is now minimal in countries with high standards of health and hygiene. It can appear or can be accelerated in all developing countries with progress in child-health, especially in early childhood. A negative trend can be expected in every country, where child-health deteriorates for a long time.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Short- and intermediate-term results of treatment of children with obesity].

We report on the short- and medium-term outcome of obesity therapy in 160 obese children and youths aged 10.7 +/- 3 years, who had been admitted to our department between 1982 and 1984. Mean initial percentage overweight of all children was 41.4 +/- 16.8%. 59 of the children stopped therapy after 1-2 visits, and 101 children (group 1) continued the therapeutic regimen until the end. Our treatment consists of individual consultations with the aim of behaviour modification, and reduction or modification of caloric intake. Within 3-6 months mean weight reduction was 15.3% in the children of group 1. After 3-5 years the medium-term outcome of 48 of these children (group 2) was controlled by phone. Their initial weight reduction had been 17.2%, and after 3-5 years their percentage overweight was still 10.6% below their initial values. During therapy 68% of the children had successfully reduced their overweight below the margin of 20%, and after 3-5 years still 42% of the children remained in this range. Our short term results are similar to those of other studies on obese children, but there are no other comparable publications for medium term outcome. According to our results children should be checked for years after successful obesity therapy in order to prevent relapses.

Behavior Therapy↗
PubMed1990

[Criteria for the assessment of data and measures in obesity in children].

DEFINITION: Obese children have more than 20% overweight in relation to height. DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES: Estimation of serum concentrations of triglycerides, total-, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol, and of blood pressure; oral glucose tolerance testing in patients with more than 40% overweight. INDICATION FOR THERAPY: More than 20% overweight in relation to height. EVALUATION OF THERAPEUTIC RESULTS: Main goal: less than 20% overweight; if not possible, stabilisation of overweight between 20 and 30%; if not possible in cases of severe obesity (more than 60% overweight): Either reduction of overweight more than 40% (in patients with 80% overweight or more) or reduction of overweight more than 20 and less than 40% (in patients with 60-70% overweight) and stabilisation of overweight within these ranges respectively. Therapeutic results should be reported in relation to the end of therapy as short term results: at most 2 years, as medium term results: at least 3 years, and as long term results: after growth stop.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed1988

[Breast feeding as "alternative" nutrition? An orientation aid in the field spanning ideology and current status].

Recommending breast feeding supports a trend "back to nature". However, there are believers in the unbiased goodness of nature, who claim effects of mothers milk, e.g. protection from the evils of civilization, that are not confirmed by current scientific knowledge. As nature is not uniquely good (it feeds the donkey and the lion), and as biology is not perfect, breast feeding does not guarantee an uneventful infancy and childhood. There is even a pathology of breast feeding that the pediatrician should be familiar with.- The proven benefits, claimed effects, and some risks of breast feeding are reviewed on the basis of research results, and conclusions are drawn to make breast feeding as uneventful an experience as possible. Potential fields of research are being identified.

Breast Feeding↗