Extrait

Background and study aims The number of children in the UK who are overweight is rising. This can lead to several health problems both in childhood and as an adult. So far, ways of preventing children becoming overweight that have been tried have not been successful. The programme that we are testing in this study has been developed in a previous study in Birmingham, and the initial results show that the programme may reduce the likelihood of children becoming overweight. This larger study will enable us to assess more accurately the success of the programme in helping children to keep their weight at a healthy level. Who can participate? Children in year 1 (age 5-6) at 50 primary schools across the West Midlands, and their parents. What does the study involve? Participating schools are randomly allocated into two groups. The programme of activities is run in one group of schools and not run in the other group. We can then compare the schools that have received the programme with those who have not. The programme consists of several elements: activities to increase the amount of physical activity children do in school, healthy cooking sessions for parents and children, a healthy eating and physical activity course run by Aston Villa football club, and information and ideas on local leisure activities for families. Measurements are necessary to properly assess the effects of the programme. We measure your child’s height, weight, waist and blood pressure. We also measure the thickness of the skin (at the waist, on the arm, on the thigh and on the upper back), and proportion of body fat (this involves your child standing on a special type of weighing scales). Children also wear a physical activity monitor for 5 days. Children are asked some simple questions about how they see themselves and their life in general. Parents of children taking part are asked to help fill in a simple 24 hour food questionnaire for their child and a questionnaire asking about the lifestyles of family members and other aspects of family life. We repeat the measurements and questionnaires at further points in the study. Later in the study parents may be contacted to ask if they would be happy to participate in an interview or focus group. What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? While there are no direct benefits to children taking part in this study, the results will help us to assess the success of a programme to prevent children becoming overweight, and therefore prevent them from having health problems that are related to obesity. If this study shows that the programme is successful, it can be introduced in schools across the country. All the measurements are completely safe. There is a very small risk of a mild skin reaction to the sticky pads that are used to attach the physical activity monitor. In the unlikely event that this happens, the monitor and sticky pads can be removed and it will clear up on its own. Where is the study run from? The University of Birmingham (UK) When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for? September 2010 to August 2015 Who is funding the study? Health Technology Assessment Programme (UK) Who is the main contact? Dr Peymane Adab [email protected]

Critère d'inclusion

• Childhood obesity

Liens

• ictrp
• isrctn