105 research outputs found
Prospective associations between dietary patterns and high sensitivity C-reactive protein in European children : the IDEFICS study
No full textPurpose This prospective study explores high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in relation to dietary patterns at two time points in European children. Methods Out of the baseline sample of the IDEFICS study (n = 16,228), 4020 children, aged 2-9 years at baseline, with available hs-CRP levels and valid data from a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) at baseline (T0) and 2 years later (T1) were included. K-means clustering algorithm based on the similarities between relative food consumption frequencies of the FFQ was applied. hs-CRP was dichotomized according to sex-specific cutoff points. Multilevel logistic regression was performed to assess the relationship between dietary patterns and hs-CRP adjusting for covariates. Results Three consistent dietary patterns were found at T0 and T1: 'animal protein and refined carbohydrate', 'sweet and processed' and 'healthy'. Children allocated to the 'protein' and 'sweet and processed' clusters at both time points had significantly higher odds of being in the highest category of hs-CRP (OR 1.47; 95% CI 1.03-2.09 for 'animal protein and refined carbohydrate' and OR 1.44; 95% CI 1.08-1.92 for 'sweet and processed') compared to the 'healthy' cluster. The odds remained significantly higher for the 'sweet and processed' pattern (OR 1.39; 95% CI 1.05-1.84) when covariates were included. Conclusions A dietary pattern characterized by frequent consumption of sugar and processed products and infrequent consumption of vegetables and fruits over time was independently related with inflammation in European children. Efforts to improve the quality of the diet in childhood may prevent future diseases related with chronic inflammation.Peer reviewe
The IDEFICS intervention trial to prevent childhood obesity: design and study methods
No full textIntroduction: One of the major research dimensions of the Identification and prevention of Dietary- and lifestyle-induced health EFfects In Children and infantS (IDEFICS) study involved the development, implementation and evaluation of a setting-based community-oriented intervention programme for primary prevention of childhood obesity. In this supplement of Obesity Reviews, a compilation of key results of the IDEFICS intervention is packaged in a series of complementary papers.
Objective: This paper describes the overall design and methods of the IDEFICS intervention in order to facilitate a comprehensive reading of the supplement. In addition, some best practice' examples are described.
Results: The IDEFICS intervention trial was conducted to assess whether the IDEFICS intervention prevented obesity in young children aged 2 to 9.9years. The study was a non-randomized, quasi-experimental trial with one intervention matched to one control region in each of eight participating countries. The intervention was designed following the intervention mapping framework, using a socio-ecological theoretical approach. The intervention was designed to address several key obesity-related behaviours in children, parents, schools and community actors; the primary outcome was the prevalence of overweight/obesity according to the IOTF criteria based on body mass index. The aim was to achieve a reduction of overweight/obesity prevalence in the intervention regions. The intervention was delivered in school and community settings over a 2-year period. Data were collected in the intervention and control cohort regions at baseline and 2 years later.
Conclusion: This paper offers an introductory framework for a comprehensive reading of this supplement on IDEFICS intervention key results
DNA yield and quality of saliva samples and suitability for large scale epidemiological studies in children
No full textObjective: To evaluate two saliva collection methods for DNA yield and quality as applied to a large, integrated, multicentre, European project involving the collection of biological material from children.
Design: Cross-sectional multicentre comparative study in young children.
Methods: Saliva samples were collected from 14 019 children aged 2-9 years from eight European countries participating in the IDEFICS (Identification and prevention of dietary-and lifestyle-induced health effects in children and infants) study. This involved either the collection of 2 ml of saliva from children who were able to spit, or using a sponge to collect whole saliva and buccal mucosal cells from the inside of the mouth of younger children unable to spit. Samples were assembled centrally in each participating centre and subsequently despatched for DNA extraction and biobanking to the University of Glasgow. A subgroup of 4678 samples (similar to 33% of sampled individuals) were chosen for DNA extraction before genotyping.
Results: The whole-saliva collection method resulted in a higher DNA yield than the sponge collection method (mean +/- s.d.; saliva: 20.95 +/- 2.35 mu g, sponge: 9.13 +/- 2.25 mu g; P < 0.001). DNA quality as measured by A(260)/A(280) was similar for the two collection methods. A minimum genotype calling success rate of 95% showed that both methods provide good-quality DNA for genotyping using TaqMan allelic discrimination assays.
Conclusions: Our results showed higher DNA yield from the whole-saliva collection method compared with the assisted sponge collection. However, both collection methods provided DNA of sufficient quantity and quality for large-scale genetic epidemiological studies
Associations of Sleep Duration and Screen Time with Incidence of Overweight in European Children : The IDEFICS/I.Family Cohort
No full textIntroduction: Over the past decades, children have been increasingly using screen devices, while at the same time their sleep duration has decreased. Both behaviors have been associated with excess weight, and it is possible they act as mutually reinforcing behaviors for weight gain. The aim of the study was to explore independent, prospective associations of screen time and sleep duration with incident overweight in a sample of European children. Methods: Data from 4,285 children of the IDEFICS/I.Family cohort who were followed up from 2009/2010 to 2013/2014 were analyzed. Hours per day of screen time and of sleep duration were reported by parents at baseline. Logistic regression analyses were carried out in separate and mutually adjusted models controlled for sex, age, European country region, parental level of education, and baseline BMI z-scores. Results: Among normal weight children at baseline (N = 3,734), separate models suggest that every hour increase in screen time and every hour decrease in sleep duration were associated with higher odds of the child becoming overweight or obese at follow-up (OR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.02-1.32 and OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.05-1.43, respectively). In the mutually adjusted model, both associations were attenuated slightly ( screen time OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 0.99-1.28; sleep duration OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.03-1.40), being consistently somewhat stronger for sleep duration. Discussion/Conclusion: Both screen time and sleep duration increased the incidence of overweight or obesity by 13-20%. Interventions that include an emphasis on adequate sleep and minimal screen time are needed to establish their causal role in the prevention of overweight and obesity among European children.Peer reviewe
Impaired metabolic health over-time and high abdominal fat are prospectively associated with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in children: The IDEFICS study
No full textMinisterio de Ciencia e Innovacion, Grant/Award Number: FJCI-2017-34967; Sixth Framework Programme, Grant/Award Number: 016181 (FOOD)Background Metabolic risk and inflammatory state have an early life onset and are associated with future diseases. Objectives To assess the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and metabolic health with high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), cross-sectionally and longitudinally, in children. Methods 2913 European children (2-10 years) from eight countries from the IDEFICS study were investigated. Data were collected at baseline and 2 years later (follow-up). A MetS z-score was computed with waist circumference (WC), insulin resistance index, blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides. Metabolically unhealthy (MU) status was assessed. Multi-level linear and logistic regressions were performed. Results Among the MetS markers, WC was more consistently associated with hsCRP cross-sectional and prospectively. Baseline MetS score was significantly associated with greater risk of high hsCRP at follow-up and with prevalence and incidence of hsCRP. Those children who became MU overtime were significantly (P < .05) associated with future higher levels of hsCRP, independently of weight status at baseline. Conclusions Transition over time to a MU state was associated with higher levels of hsCRP at follow-up, independent of weight status at baseline. Screening of metabolic factors and routine measurement of WC are needed to prevent inflammatory status and related chronic diseases in children.Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Spanish Government
European Commission FJCI-2017-34967European Commission 01618
Assessment of diet, physical activity and biological, social and environmental factors in a multi-centre European project on diet- and lifestyle-related disorders in children (IDEFICS)
No full textObesity is a major public health problem in
developed countries. We present a European project, called Identification and Prevention of Dietary and Lifestyle induced
Health Effects in Children and Infants (IDEFICS),
that focuses on diet- and lifestyle-related diseases in
children. This paper outlines methodological aspects and
means of quality control in IDEFICS. IDEFICS will use a
multi-centre survey design of a population-based cohort of
about 17,000 2- to 10-year-old children in nine European
countries (Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Germany, Greece,
Hungary, Italy, Spain and Sweden). The project will
investigate the impact of dietary factors such as food
intake activity, psychosocial factors and genetic factors on the
development of obesity and other selected diet- and
lifestyle-related disorders. An intervention study will be
set up in pre-school and primary school settings in eight of the survey centres. Standardised survey instruments will be designed during the first phase of the project and applied in
the surveys by all centres. Standard operation procedures (SOPs) will be developed, as well as a plan for training the
personnel involved in the surveys. These activities will be
accompanied by a quality control strategy that will
encompass the evaluation of process and result quality
throughout the project. IDEFICS will develop comparable
Europe-wide health indicators and instruments for data
collection among young children. Establishment of a new
European cohort within IDEFICS will provide a unique
opportunity to document the development of the obesity
epidemic in the current generation of young Europeans and
investigate the impact of primary prevention in European
children population
Diets of European children, with focus on BMI, well-being, and families The IDEFICS/I.Family cohort
No full textThe overall aim of this thesis was to investigate children’s diet, BMI z-score, and parental feeding practices (PFPs), in relation to mutans streptococci (MS) count, psychosocial well-being and children’s BMI trajectory, as well as exploring the effect of the intervention in the IDEFICS (Identification and prevention of dietary- and lifestyle-induced health effects in children and infants) study on diets of families five years after the intervention.
About 16,000 children from eight European countries participated in the IDEFICS study in 2007/2008 (referred to as index children). During 2008 a community intervention was carried out targeting diet, physical activity and stress. In 2009, 68% of the children returned for a follow-up examination. In 2013, I.Family started and 6,055 of the children returned for a third follow-up, and at this time point 7,794 parents and 2,512 siblings also participated. Height and weight were measured, saliva was collected, and information on eating habits, feeding practices, well-being, and socioeconomic factors were reported at all time points.
High salivary MS count was found among 18% of the children in a sub-sample from the Swedish IDEFICS cohort. Higher BMI z-score, more frequent intake of meals and higher propensity for consuming sugar were all independently associated with higher MS count. In contrast, an inverse association was found between hours of sleep and MS count.
Bi-directional associations were identified between a healthy diet, measured by adherence to healthy dietary guidelines, and better self-esteem. Additionally, a healthy diet was associated with fewer emotional and peer problems two years later, with a monotonic trend entailing a consistent increase for all indicators of well-being associated with higher adherence. These associations were moderated by children’s sex.
PFPs at IDEFICS baseline explained 22% of the variation in children’s BMI z-score at I.Family. More specifically, PFPs involving restriction and considering putting the child on a diet were associated with higher odds of developing overweight independent of baseline BMI z-score and parental BMI. This association was stable across social vulnerability groups.
At I.Family, better diet quality (as measured by lower propensity for consuming fat and sugar, and higher propensity for consuming water, and fruit and vegetables) was reported by families in the intervention communities. However, investigation of the five-year change in fat, sugar, and water propensity ratio among index children failed to identify any differences between the intervention and control groups longitudinally.
This thesis documents the importance of healthy eating habits in reducing the risk of dental caries and maintaining good psychosocial well-being in children. Furthermore, restrictive PFPs are not helpful in promoting a healthy weight development. It is therefore important to identify other, more effective, PFPs and to include parents more directly in future intervention studies aiming at improving children’s eating habits
Sensory taste preferences and taste sensitivity and the association of unhealthy food patterns with overweight and obesity in primary school children in Europe—a synthesis of data from the IDEFICS study
No full textBACKGROUND: Increased preference for fat and sugar or reduced taste sensitivity may play a role in overweight and obesity development, but sensory perceptions are probably influenced already during childhood by food cultures and common dietary habits. We summarise the main findings of a large-scale epidemiological study conducted in Italy, Estonia, Cyprus, Belgium, Sweden, Germany, Hungary and Spain. We measured the taste preferences and the taste thresholds in 1,839 children aged 6 to 9 years and investigated factors that might influence the observed preferences as well as their association with weight status. FINDINGS: Country of residence was the strongest factor related to preferences for sweet, salty, bitter and umami. Taste preferences also differed by age. Regardless of the country of residence and other covariates, overweight and obesity were positively associated with the preference for fat-enriched crackers and sugar-sweetened apple juice.
CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that culture and age are important determinants of taste preferences in pre-adolescent children. The cross-sectional data show that objectively measured taste preferences are associated with the weight status of primary school children across varying food cultures. We hypothesise that this association is mediated by an unfavourable food choice as a food pattern characterised by sweet and fatty foods is associated with excess weight gain in these children
Physical activity and clustered cardiovascular disease risk factors in young children: a cross-sectional study (the IDEFICS study)
No full text<p>Background
The relevance of physical activity (PA) for combating cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in children has been highlighted, but to date there has been no large-scale study analyzing that association in children aged ≤9 years of age. This study sought to evaluate the associations between objectively-measured PA and clustered CVD risk factors in a large sample of European children, and to provide evidence for gender-specific recommendations of PA.</p>
<p>Methods
Cross-sectional data from a longitudinal study in 16,224 children aged 2 to 9 were collected. Of these, 3,120 (1,016 between 2 to 6 years, 2,104 between 6 to 9 years) had sufficient data for inclusion in the current analyses. Two different age-specific and gender-specific clustered CVD risk scores associated with PA were determined. First, a CVD risk factor (CRF) continuous score was computed using the following variables: systolic blood pressure (SBP), total triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC)/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) ratio, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and sum of two skinfolds (score CRFs). Secondly, another CVD risk score was obtained for older children containing the score CRFs + the cardiorespiratory fitness variable (termed score CRFs + fit). Data used in the current analysis were derived from the IDEFICS (‘Identification and prevention of Dietary- and lifestyle-induced health EFfects In Children and infantS’) study.</p>
<p>Results
In boys <6 years, the odds ratios (OR) for CVD risk were elevated in the least active quintile of PA (OR: 2.58) compared with the most active quintile as well as the second quintile for vigorous PA (OR: 2.91). Compared with the most active quintile, older children in the first, second and third quintiles had OR for CVD risk score CRFs + fit ranging from OR 2.69 to 5.40 in boys, and from OR 2.85 to 7.05 in girls.</p>
<p>Conclusions
PA is important to protect against clustering of CVD risk factors in young children, being more consistent in those older than 6 years. Healthcare professionals should recommend around 60 and 85 min/day of moderate-to-vigorous PA, including 20 min/day of vigorous PA.</p>
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