Childhood obesity has been increasing rapidly worldwide. There is limited evidence for effective lifestyle interventions to prevent childhood obesity worldwide, especially in developing countries ...like China. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a school-based multi-component lifestyle childhood obesity prevention program (the CLICK-Obesity study) in Mainland China.
A cluster randomized controlled trial was developed among grade 4 students from 8 urban primary schools (638 students in intervention, 544 as control) in Nanjing City, China. Students were randomly allocated to the control or intervention group at school-level. A one-year multi-component intervention program (classroom curriculum, school environment support, family involvement and fun programs/events) together with routine health education was provided to the intervention group, while the control group received routine health education only. The main outcome variables assessed were changes in body mass index, obesity occurrence, obesity-related lifestyle behaviors and knowledge.
Overall, 1108 (93.7%) of the 1182 enrolled students completed the intervention study. The intervention group had a larger marginal reduction than did the control group in overall mean BMI value (-0.32±1.36 vs. -0.29±1.40, p = 0.09), although this was not significant. Compared with the control group, the intervention group was more likely to decrease their BMI (OR = 1.44, 95%CI = 1.10, 1.87) by 0.5 kg/m2 or above, increase the frequency of jogging/running (OR = 1.55, 95%CI = 1.18, 2.02), decrease the frequency of TV/computer use (OR = 1.41, 95%CI = 1.09, 1.84) and of red meat consumption (OR = 1.50, 95%CI = 1.15, 1.95), change commuting mode to/from school from sedentary to active mode (OR = 2.24, 95%CI = 1.47, 3.40), and be aware of the harm of selected obesity risk factors.
The school-based lifestyle intervention program was practical and effective in improving health behaviors and obesity-related knowledge for children in China. This study provides important policy implications on school-based intervention programs for modifications of obesity-related lifestyles.
Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR-ERC-11001819.
An alarmingly high proportion of the Australian adult population does not meet national physical activity guidelines (57%). This is concerning because physical inactivity is a risk factor for several ...chronic diseases. In recent years, an increasing emphasis has been placed on the potential for transport and urban planning to contribute to increased physical activity via greater uptake of active transport (walking, cycling and public transport). In this study, we aimed to estimate the potential health gains and savings in health care costs of an Australian city achieving its stated travel targets for the use of active transport.
Additional active transport time was estimated for the hypothetical scenario of Brisbane (1.1 million population 2013) in Australia achieving specified travel targets. A multi-state life table model was used to estimate the number of health-adjusted life years, life-years, changes in the burden of diseases and injuries, and the health care costs associated with changes in physical activity, fine particle (<2.5 μm; PM2.5) exposure, and road trauma attributable to a shift from motorised travel to active transport. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to test alternative modelling assumptions.
Over the life course of the Brisbane adult population in 2013 (860,000 persons), 33,000 health-adjusted life years could be gained if the travel targets were achieved by 2026. This was mainly due to lower risks of physical inactivity-related diseases, with life course reductions in prevalence and mortality risk in the range of 1.5%-6.0%. Prevalence and mortality of respiratory diseases increased slightly (≥0.27%) due to increased exposure of larger numbers of cyclists and pedestrians to fine particles. The burden of road trauma increased by 30% for mortality and 7% for years lived with disability. We calculated substantial net savings ($AU183 million, 2013 values) in health care costs.
In cities, such as Brisbane, where over 80% of trips are made by private cars, shifts towards walking, cycling and public transport would cause substantial net health benefits and savings in health care costs. However, for such shifts to occur, investments are needed to ensure safe and convenient travel.
To investigate associations of five typical lifestyle-related behavioral risk factors (insufficient physical activity, prolonged screen viewing, deprived sleeping, consumption of fast food and ...sugar-sweetened beverage) with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among school students in China.
Students aged 9-17 years (grades 4-12) were randomly selected from primary and high schools in Nanjing, China, to participate in this cross-sectional study in 2018. The outcome variable, HRQoL, was assessed using the Child Health Utility 9D (CHU9D) instrument and scored from 0 (worst) to 1 (best). Physical activity (including screen viewing and sleeping) and dietary intake were measured using a validated Physical Activity Scale and Food Frequency Questionnaire, respectively. Lifestyle-related behaviors were categorized as sufficient/insufficient or no/yes, and their associations with HRQoL were assessed using mixed-effects linear regression models.
Overall, 4388 participants completed the questionnaire (response rate = 97.6%). Students with insufficient physical activity mean difference (MD) = - 0.03; 95% confidence interval (CI) = - 0.04, - 0.01, prolonged screen time (MD = - 0.06; 95% CI = - 0.07, - 0.04), insufficient sleeping time (MD = - 0.04; 95% CI = - 0.07, - 0.02), consumption of sugar-sweetened beverage (MD = - 0.02; 95% CI = - 0.03, - 0.01) or fast food intake (MD = - 0.03; 95% CI = - 0.04, - 0.02) reported significantly lower HRQoL scores. When considered additively, each additional lifestyle-related risk factor was associated with an average decrease of 0.03 units (95% CI: - 0.03, - 0.02) CHU9D score.
For Chinese students, HRQoL was positively associated with physical activity and sleep duration, but negatively with screen time and consumption of sugar-sweetened beverage and fast food. Moreover, lifestyle-related behaviors may have an additive effect on HRQoL.
Physical activity (PA) promotion has proven effectiveness in preventing childhood obesity. Increasing children's health knowledge is the most frequently used approach in PA intervention programs ...targeting childhood obesity prevention. However, little is known about the specific association between the change in a child's knowledge awareness and their PA practice.
A one-year follow-up study was conducted among primary and junior high school students in Nanjing, China. At baseline students' knowledge of healthy behavior, and their PA levels, were assessed. Students who were unaware of the association between PA and obesity were followed for one academic year. After nine-months their knowledge and PA levels were re-measured using the same validated questionnaire. Mixed effects regression models were used to estimate the relationship between awareness of knowledge about the link between PA and obesity and PA changes.
Of the 1899 students who were unaware of the association between PA and obesity at baseline, 1859 (follow-up rate = 97.9%) were successfully followed-up. After nine months 1318 (70.9%) participants had become aware of PA-obesity association. Compared to their counterparts who remained unaware, students who became aware of the PA-obesity association were more likely to increase both the frequency (odds ratio (OR) = 1.34, 95%CI = 1.09, 1.64) and duration (OR = 1.34, 95%CI = 1.09, 1.65) of PA, after adjusting for potentially confounding variables.
Becoming aware of the known link between PA and obesity led to positive behavior modification regarding PA in this cohort of Chinese students. This is of particular importance that knowledge disimination and health education may be a useful approach for population-based physical activity promotion aiming at childhood obesity prevention in China.
Nusinersen is used in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) to improve peripheral muscle function; however, respiratory effects are largely unknown.
To assess the effects of nusinersen on respiratory ...function in paediatric SMA during first year of treatment.
A prospective observational study in paediatric patients with SMA who began receiving nusinersen in Queensland, Australia, from June 2018 to December 2019. Outcomes assessed were the age-appropriate respiratory investigations: spirometry, oscillometry, sniff nasal inspiratory pressure, mean inspiratory pressure, mean expiratory pressure, lung clearance index, as well as polysomnography (PSG) and muscle function testing. Lung function was collected retrospectively for up to 2 years prior to nusinersen initiation. Change in lung function was assessed using mixed effects linear regression models, while PSG and muscle function were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.
Twenty-eight patients (15 male, aged 0.08-18.58 years) were enrolled: type 1 (n=7); type 2 (n=12); type 3 (n=9). The annual rate of decline in FVC z-score prior to nusinersen initiation was -0.58 (95% CI -0.75 to -0.41), and post initiation was -0.25 (95% CI -0.46 to -0.03), with a significant difference in rate of decline (0.33 (95% CI 0.02 to 0.66) (p=0.04)). Most lung function measures were largely unchanged in the year post nusinersen initiation. The total Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index (AHI) was reduced from a median of 5.5 events/hour (IQR 2.1-10.1) at initiation to 2.7 events/hour (IQR 0.7-5.3) after 1 year (p=0.02). All SMA type 1% and 75% of SMA types 2 and 3 had pre-defined peripheral muscle response to nusinersen.
The first year of nusinersen treatment saw reduced lung function decline (especially in type 2) and improvement in AHI.
Aim
The study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a web‐based therapy programme, ‘Move it to improve it’ (Mitii™), in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP) on occupational performance, ...upper limb function, and visual perception.
Method
Participants (n=102) were matched in pairs and randomized to intervention (Mitii for 20wks; 26 males, mean age 11y 8mo 2y 4mo, Manual Ability Classification System level I=11, II=39, III=1) or control (standard care; 25 males, mean age 11y 10mo 2y 5mo, Manual Ability Classification System level I=13, II=37). Outcomes were the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS), Assisting Hand Assessment, Jebsen–Taylor Test of Hand Function (JTTHF), Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper Limb Function (MUUL), Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), and Test of Visual Perceptual Skills (TVPS‐3).
Results
Participants completed on average 32.4 hours of Mitii (range 3.7–74.7h). The Mitii group demonstrated significantly greater post‐intervention scores than the comparison group on the AMPS, JTTHF dominant upper limb, COPM, and TVPS‐3. The differences between groups were not clinically significant. There were no differences between groups on measures of impaired upper limb function.
Interpretation
Mitii delivers individualized, web‐based therapy at home and has potential to increase therapy dose. Mitii can be considered as an option to enhance occupational performance and visual perception for children with UCP.
What this study adds
First adequately powered study of interactive computer play for unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP).
‘Move it to improve it’ (Mitii) can enhance activities of daily living (ADL), perceived, occupational performance and visual perception.
Mitii had no significant effect on impaired upper limb function.
This article is commented on by Karlsson on page 497 of this issue.
People who are homeless experience higher rates of vaccine-preventable disease, including COVID-19, than the general population, and poorer associated health outcomes. However, delivering ...vaccinations to people who are homeless is complex, and there is a lack of evidence to inform practice in this area. The aim of this systematic review is to: (a) identify, (b) analyse the characteristics of, and (c) evaluate the outcomes of, strategies to improve vaccination rates in people who are homeless.
Literature was retrieved from eight electronic databases. Studies undertaken in high-income countries, published in English, in a peer-reviewed journal, and in full-text were considered. No limits were placed on study design or date. A total of 1,508 articles were retrieved and, after the removal of duplicates, 637 were screened. Twenty-three articles, reporting on nineteen separate vaccination strategies for hepatitis A/B, influenza, herpes zoster, invasive pneumococcal disease, and diphtheria in people who are homeless, were selected for inclusion.
All the strategies were effective at improving vaccination rates in, people who are homeless. Most strategies involved vaccination clinics and most were delivered, at least in part, by nurses. Other characteristics of successful strategies included: delivering vaccinations at convenient locations; using accelerated vaccination schedules (if available); vaccinating at the first appointment, regardless of whether a person’s vaccination history or serological status were known (if clinically safe); operating for a longer duration; offering training to staff about working with people who are homeless; widely promoting clinics; considering education, reminders, incentives, and co-interventions; ensuring no out-of-pocket costs; and working collaboratively with stakeholders, including people who are homeless themselves. These findings will inform evidence-based vaccination strategies, including for COVID-19, in people who are homeless, and improve associated health outcomes in this at-risk, hard-to-reach group.
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