"A balancing act": parents' longitudinal perspectives of weight-related discussions with their children following obesity treatment.

Weight-related discussions during childhood may have long-lasting effects on children's body image and well-being. However, little is known about how parents frame these discussions with children who have undergone treatment for obesity. Our study aimed to explore how parents perceive weight-related discussions, several years after their children started obesity treatment. This qualitative study is part of the 4-year follow-up of the More and Less study, a randomized controlled trial examining the effectiveness of a parental support program as part of obesity treatment for preschool-aged children in Stockholm, Sweden. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 33 parents (79% mothers, 48% with a university degree, 47% with foreign background) of 33 children (mean age 9.3 years (SD 0.7), 46% girls), transcribed and analyzed using realist informed thematic analysis. Three main themes, encompassing three subthemes were developed. Under the first theme, Parental attitudes and concerns, parents emphasized the importance of discussing weight and health behaviors with their children, yet found it challenging due to uncertainties about how to approach it safely and sensitively. A few parents found the conversation manageable, citing their own experiences of having overweight or their style of communication with the child as facilitating the conversation. Under the second theme, The significance of time and context, parents said they engaged in weight-related conversations with their children more frequently as the children matured, driven by their growing self-awareness. Parents also expressed how contextual factors, such as gender and the presence of others, shaped conversations. Parents perceived boys as more resilient, thus exposing them to more negative weight talk. The third theme, Navigating weight stigma, revealed how parents employed strategies such as nurturing their children's self-confidence, downplaying the significance of appearance and emphasizing health when discussing weight to shield their children from weight stigma. Taken together, we found that many parents need support to navigate weight-related discussions. Addressing weight stigma is part of children's obesity management process, as children may be bullied, teased, or experience discrimination in different social settings. More research is needed to explore how young children undergoing obesity treatment experience weight stigma and to understand gendered differences in these experiences.

A long-term follow-up of treatment for young children with obesity: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Early childhood obesity interventions supporting parents have the largest effects on child weight status. However, long-term follow-ups are lacking. OBJECTIVE: To examine weight status 48 months after obesity treatment initiation for 4- to 6-year-olds. METHODS: 177 families were recruited to the More and Less study, a 12-month randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted in Sweden (2012-2017); 6 children were excluded due to medical diagnoses. Thus, 171 families (non-Swedish origin 59%, university degree 40%) were eligible for this 48-month follow-up with modified intention-to-treat (n = 114 had 48-month data, n = 34 dropped out, n = 23 lost to follow-up). The RCT compared 3 treatment approaches: a 10-week parent support program (1.5 h/w) with follow-up booster sessions (PGB) or without (PGNB), and standard outpatient treatment (ST). Treatment effects on primary outcome (BMI-SDS) and secondary outcomes (BMI, %IOTF25 i.e., the distance, in percent, above the cut-off for overweight) were assessed. Clinically significant reduction of BMI-SDS (≥0.5) was assessed with risk ratio. Sociodemographic factors and attendance were examined by three-way interactions. RESULTS: After 48 months (mean 50 months, range 38-67 months) mean (95% CI) BMI-SDS was reduced in all groups: PGB -0.45 (-0.18 to -0.73, p < 0.001), PGNB -0.34 (-0.13 to -0.55, p < 0.001), ST -0.25 (-0.10 to -0.40, p < 0.001), no significant difference between groups. A clinically significant reduction of BMI-SDS ≥ 0.5 was obtained in 53.7% of PGB which was twice as likely compared to ST, 33.0%, RR 2.03 (1.27 to 3.27, p = 0.003), with no difference to PGNB, 46.6% (p = 0.113). %IOTF25 was unchanged from baseline for PGB 4.50 (-1.64 to 10.63), and significantly lower compared to ST 11.92 (8.40 to 15.44) (p = 0.043). Sociodemographics or attendance had no effect. CONCLUSION: The intensive parent-support early childhood obesity intervention led to better weight status outcomes over time, though BMI-SDS alone did not reflect this. Further research should investigate how to assess weight changes in growing children. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01792531 .

Parents' experiences following conversations about their young child's weight in the primary health care setting: a study within the STOP project.

BACKGROUND: In primary healthcare, conversations between clinicians and parents about young children's overweight are key to providing support and initiating weight management. However, given the sensitivity of this topic, these conversations are difficult for both clinicians and parents and are sometimes delayed or avoided. To understand the emotional impact of these conversations, this study aims to shed light on parents' experiences following conversations with primary care nurses about their child's overweight. METHODS: Participants were recruited through a childhood obesity randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted in Sweden. Telephone-based semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 parents (mean age 40; the majority were women (n = 12/17), had a university degree (n = 14/17) and were born in Sweden (n = 13/16)). Their children were between 3 and 7 years old (mean age 4.8 years) with overweight (n = 7) or obesity (n = 10). The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Two main themes were developed. Theme 1, 'Receiving the overweight/obesity diagnosis', explores parents' reactions to the conversation with the primary care nurse. Depending on how the nurse presented the topic, conversations either fostered an alliance between the parent and the nurse, encouraging parents to reflect and develop insights about the child's and the family's needs (subtheme Conversations that empower), or felt limited, uncomfortable, or belittling (subtheme Conversations that provoke resistance). Theme 2, 'Parenting a child with a formal diagnosis of obesity', explores challenges parents faced following the weight conversations, including managing their own feelings and concerns (subtheme Fear of transferring weight anxiety), dealing with others' reactions (subtheme Involve family and manage surroundings) and asking for and receiving support from health care professionals (subtheme Obtain support from health care professionals). CONCLUSIONS: While conversations with primary care nurses about children's weight were often emotional, most parents felt these conversations were ultimately helpful, as they encouraged them to enact positive lifestyle changes. Importantly, when nurses initiated conversations in a responsive, non-blaming way, inviting parents to reflect on their situation, parents felt more supported and empowered. These findings convey the importance of providing communication skills training to pediatric healthcare professionals, with particular focus on childhood overweight and obesity. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03800823 ; 11 Jan 2019.

Children's experiences of meals after obesity treatment: a qualitative follow-up four years after a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The practice of eating together, commensality, is rarely explored in the context of childhood obesity treatment. This is noteworthy given long-standing debates about the physical, psychosocial, and societal benefits of meals, especially family meals. Moreover, as children with obesity experience weight bias and stigma both within and outside the home, it is important to examine meals as a locus of social exchange around food and the body. Our study is based on the premises that eating together (i) matters and (ii) occurs in different environments with diverse social organization, where food-related interactions create varying arrangements of individuals, groups, their statuses, and their actions. METHOD: The study explores children's experiences of meals in different social contexts. Thirty-two children (age 8-10 years) living in Sweden were interviewed, 4 years after they entered an obesity intervention trial. Thematic analysis was applied to the data. RESULTS: We thematized three meal types, with each meal type having two subthemes: (i) "The family meal", with "Shared routines, rituals, and rules" and "Individual solutions and choices"; (ii) "The school meal", with "Rules and norms of the school" and "Strategies of the child"; and (iii) "The friend meal", with "Handling food that was disliked" and "Enjoyment of food". These three different meal types carried different experiences of and knowledge about how they were socially organized. CONCLUSIONS: While the children spoke about the family and school meals as meaningful, the friend meal stood out as particularly positive. Contrary to our expectations, the children did not express experiences of weight bias or obesity stigma around meals, nor did they speak negatively about parental control of their food intake. Our findings, especially regarding the friend meal, have implications for further research into commensality and social influences on eating among children with obesity, from early childhood into adolescence.

Associations of preschoolers' dietary patterns with eating behaviors and parental feeding practices at a 12-month follow-up of obesity treatment.

Although dietary patterns are key to the management of childhood obesity, they are rarely assessed and thus poorly understood. This study examines preschoolers' dietary patterns and correlates 12 months after the start of obesity treatment (n = 99, mean age 5.2 years, 52% girls). A food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), the Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ), Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ) and Lifestyle Behavior Checklist (LBC) were answered by parents to assess children's food intake, eating behaviors, parental feeding practices, and obesity-related behaviors, respectively. Principal component analysis identified dietary patterns based on FFQ data. Through multiple linear regressions we examined correlations between a healthy (HD) and a less healthy (LHD) dietary pattern and mean scores of the CEBQ, CFQ, LBC scales as well as BMI z-scores. The reported intake of items in the LHD decreased after treatment while no differences were found for the HD. Children's eating behaviors, in particular food fussiness, showed consistent associations with diet (b = -0.39, 95% CI -0.63, -0.14 for HD and b = 0.41, 95% CI 0.15, 0.66 for LHD). Feeding practices and obesity-related behaviours were weakly associated with the dietary patterns (HD and Monitoring: b = 0.36, 95% CI 0.09, 0.62; LHD and Screen time b = 0.08, 95% CI 0.01, 0.15). Among the measured variables, eating behaviors had the largest impact on children's dietary patterns. The LHD was associated with a higher BMI z-score but no associations were found between changes in LHD intake and changes in BMI z-scores. Our findings suggest that decreasing food fussiness in children with obesity is key to positive dietary changes. Assessment of children's eating behaviors can help tailor dietary advice and provide support for families of children with obesity.

Development and validation of an ICU-specific pressure injury risk assessment scale.

BACKGROUND: Critically ill patients are at high risk for pressure injury (PI) due to critical illness combined with multiple interventions and therapies. It is hence important to gain more knowledge about the risk factors associated with pressure injury development and methods for decreasing its prevalence. AIMS: To develop and validate a clinical useful ICU-specific PI risk assessment scale based on the RAPS. METHOD: The study was designed as a prospective instrument development and validation study. The Risk Assessment Pressure Ulcer Scale (RAPS), which in Sweden is a commonly used PI risk assessment scale, was used as a starting point. Development was then performed in different steps; adaption of items and response options to ICU care, discussion with ICU staff members to enhance clinical relevance and usability, test of interrater reliability, revision of instrument, a new test with 300 patients followed by statistical evaluation. RESULTS: The final version of the RAPS-ICU consists of six items: failure of vital organs, mobility, moisture, sensory perception, level of consciousness and special treatment in the form of mechanical ventilation, continuous dialysis and/or inotropic drugs. A total score was reached by summing all responses. Each of the items was found to be significant associated with PI development as well as the total score (p < 0.001). The total score also showed a high interrater reliability (ICC = 0.96), good sensitivity and acceptable specificity with AUC = 0.71 and ICU staff perceived the RAPS-ICU as relevant and easy to use in clinical practice. CONCLUSION: The RAPS-ICU is a valid and clinically useful tool to identify patients at risk to develop pressure injury at ICU.

Microalbuminuria and retinopathy in adolescents and young adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

AIM: To estimate the occurrence of complications related to early-onset type 2 diabetes compared with type 1 diabetes. METHODS: All individuals registered in the Swedish Pediatric Quality Diabetes Register and the Swedish National Diabetes Register with type 2 diabetes diagnosis at 10 to 25 years of age between 1996 and 2014 (n = 1413) were included. As controls, individuals with type 1 diabetes were randomly selected from the same registers and were matched for age, sex, and year-of-onset (n = 3748). RESULTS: Of the adolescents with type 2 diabetes in the pediatric register, 7.7% had microalbuminuria and 24.6% had signs of retinopathy 5 years after diagnosis, whereas the adolescents with type 1 diabetes 3.8% had microalbuminuria and 19.2% had retinopathy. Among the young adults with type 2 diabetes from the adult diabetes register 10 years after diagnosis 15.2% had microalbuminuria and 39.7% retinopathy, whereas the young adults with type 1 diabetes 4.8% had microalbuminuria and 43.8% retinopathy. After adjustment for established risk factors measured over time in the whole combined cohort, individuals with type 2 diabetes had significantly higher risk of microalbuminuria with a hazard ratio (HR) of 3.32 (95% confidence interval, CI 2.86-3.85, P < .001), and retinopathy with a HR of 1.17 (95% CI 1.06-1.30, P 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of complications and comorbidities was higher among those with type 2 diabetes compared with type 1 diabetes, although prevalent in both groups. Early monitoring and more active treatment of type 2 diabetes in young individuals is required.

Changes in parental feeding practices and preschoolers' food intake following a randomized controlled childhood obesity trial.

Childhood obesity treatment involving parents is most effective during the preschool age. However, the mechanisms of change are not known. The present study reports on secondary outcomes (changes in parental feeding practices and child food intake) of early obesity treatment. The More and Less study is a randomized controlled trial conducted in Stockholm County, Sweden. Children with obesity (n = 174, mean BMI SDS 3.0, mean age 5 years, 56% girls) and their parents (60% with foreign background, 40% with a university degree) were randomized to: 1) standard treatment focusing on lifestyle recommendations (ST), 2) a parent support program with boosters (PGB), and 3) a parent support program without boosters (PGNB). The Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ) was used to measure parental feeding practices. Child food intake was assessed with a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). We calculated the monthly changes in CFQ practices and FFQ items based on four measurements. We did not find any significant between-group differences in parental feeding practices and child food intake over time. However, general linear models showed that changes in certain feeding practices predicted changes in child food intake. When ST was compared to the parent support groups, some associations moved in opposite directions. For example, increasing maternal restriction predicted increased consumption of cookies/buns in PGNB (b = 2.3, p < 0.05) and decreased consumption of cookies/buns in ST (b = -2.1, p < 0.05). This is among the few studies to examine the effect of parental feeding practices on child food intake and weight status after obesity treatment among preschoolers. We found no evidence that changes in feeding practices or changes in child food intake mediated child weight loss. Future studies should consider other intermediary processes related to general parenting practices and parent-child interactions.

Responding positively to "children who like to eat": Parents' experiences of skills-based treatment for childhood obesity.

This study aims to understand the challenges parents of preschoolers with obesity face. We assessed parents' experiences of a group treatment program focused on parenting skills; the treatment program was evaluated in a randomized controlled trial in Stockholm County. After completing the program's 10 weekly sessions, parents were invited to participate in a semi-structured interview. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. In total, 36 parents (67% mothers, mean age 39 years, 33% foreign background, 50% with university degree) were interviewed. Two main themes were developed: Emotional burden and Skills and strength from others. Emotional burden encompassed the parents' experiences of raising a child with obesity. Parents spoke about the difficulties of managing their child's appetite and of seeking help and treatment, as well as their feelings about the social stigma attached to obesity. Skills and strength from others encompassed the parents' experiences of participating in group treatment. Parents reported that they appreciated the practical behavior change techniques taught, especially those regarding food and how to make everyday life more predictable, and said the focus on parenting skills gave them the confidence to apply the techniques in everyday life. Parents also highlighted the strength of the group setting, saying it enabled them to discuss perceived challenges and learn from other parents. Our findings show that childhood obesity carries social and emotional implications for parents, and that an intervention that provides parents with skill-building and a discussion space can help in negotiating these implications. This suggests that childhood obesity intervention programs benefit from including a parent-based approach which offers training in parenting skills and support in managing socially and emotionally challenging situations.

Picky eating in an obesity intervention for preschool-aged children - what role does it play, and does the measurement instrument matter?

INTRODUCTION: Research on picky eating in childhood obesity treatment is limited and inconsistent, with various instruments and questions used. This study examines the role of picky eating in a randomized controlled obesity intervention for preschoolers using subscales from two instruments: The Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ) and the Lifestyle Behavior Checklist (LBC). METHOD: The study includes 130 children (mean age 5.2 years (SD 0.7), 54% girls, mean Body Mass Index (BMI) z-score 2.9 (SD 0.6)) and their parents (nearly 60% of non-Swedish background, 40% with university degree). Families were randomized to a parent-group treatment focusing on evidence-based parenting practices or to standard treatment focusing on lifestyle changes. The children's heights and weights (BMI z-score) were measured at baseline, and at 3, 6 and 12 months post baseline. At these time-points, picky eating was reported by parents using the CEBQ (Food Fussiness scale, 6 items) and 5 items from the LBC. Child food intake was reported with a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Pearson correlation was used to study associations between baseline picky eating and baseline BMI z-scores and food intake. Mixed effects models were used to study associations between the two measurements of picky eating and changes in picky eating, to assess the effects of changes in picky eating on BMI z-scores, and to evaluate baseline picky eating as a predictor of changes in BMI z-scores. RESULTS: Neither the standard treatment nor the parent-group treatment reduced the degree of picky eating (measured with CEBQ or LBC). Baseline picky eating measured with the CEBQ was associated with a lower BMI z-score and lower intake of vegetables. Children with a higher degree of picky eating at baseline (measured with the CEBQ) displayed a lower degree of weight loss. When degree of picky eating was examined, for 25% of the children, the CEBQ and the LBC yielded diverging results. CONCLUSIONS: Baseline picky eating may weaken the effectiveness of obesity treatment, and assessments should be conducted before treatment to adjust the treatment approach. Different measurements of picky eating may lead to different results. The CEBQ seems more robust than the LBC in measuring picky eating. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov , NCT01792531. Registered 15 February 2013 - Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01792531.

Insulin function in obese children within the low and high ranges of impaired fasting glycemia.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Impaired fasting glycemia (IFG) reflects an intermediate hyperglycemia in the fasting state. Which fasting glucose level that actually is associated with impaired insulin-glucose homeostasis in children and adolescents with obesity is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate how insulin and glucose homeostasis in children and adolescents with obesity in Sweden varies within different fasting glucose levels in the non-diabetic range. SUBJECTS: The subjects, n = 333, were divided into three groups based on their fasting glucose level. Normoglycemic range: up to 5.5 mmol/L (n = 268); the exclusive range the American Diabetes Association (ADA) has for IFG diagnosis: 5.6-6.0 mmol/L (n = 44); and IFG according to World Health Organization: 6.1-6.9 mmol/L (n = 21). The three groups were of similar age, degree of obesity, fasting insulin levels, sex, and migrant background distribution. METHODS: We used an insulin-modified frequent sample intravenous glucose tolerance test to study acute insulin response (AIR), insulin sensitivity (SI), and disposition index (DI) in children and adolescents with obesity. The main outcome measures were AIR, SI, and DI in three groups based on fasting glucose level. RESULTS: Fasting glucose levels ranging from 5.6 to 6.0 mmol/L were not associated with a lower AIR, SI, or DI compared with the normoglycemic range. However, glucose levels ranging from 6.1 to 6.9 mmol/L were associated with lower AIR and lower DI, but no statistical differences in SI were present. CONCLUSIONS: IFG in the exclusive ADA range was not associated with disturbed glucose metabolism. This suggests that IFG contributes to adverse metabolic profile in children differently to what has been described previously in adult obese populations.

Planting a seed - child health care nurses' perceptions of speaking to parents about overweight and obesity: a qualitative study within the STOP project.

BACKGROUND: Nurses in child health care (CHC) centers in Sweden play a key role in the early detection and management of childhood overweight/obesity, through meeting families early, regularly and over many years. However, research focusing on CHC nurses' perceptions of their role in childhood overweight/obesity management is scarce. As part of the EU-funded project "Science and Technology in childhood Obesity Policy" (STOP), this study examines CHC nurses' perceptions of speaking to parents about children's overweight/obesity and of their role in referring children to treatment for overweight/obesity. METHODS: All registered CHC nurses in Stockholm County (n = 442) received an email invitation letter explaining the study. Individual face-to-face visits (n = 15) in selected centers, and phone calls (n = 24) to nurses working in these centres were also conducted. In total, 17 CHC nurses (all female, average work experience 6.7 years (SD ± 4.9 years)) from 10 municipalities (including four of the top five municipalities with the highest prevalence of overweight and obesity) in Stockholm County were interviewed. The interviews were conducted by phone, transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Two main themes were developed through the analysis: 1) The relationship between the nurse and the parent and 2) Glitch in the system. Under the first theme, nurses reported that weight-related discussions were facilitated by building and maintaining trust with parents. However, nurses also said they were reluctant to address children's weights if this could compromise parents' trust. Under the second theme, nurses highlighted several organizational barriers to addressing a child's weight with parents, including insufficient cooperation with other healthcare providers and limited time for visits. Nurses also identified lack of sufficient knowledge about what to offer the family and lack of confidence in their communication skills as additional barriers. CONCLUSIONS: We found that pediatric nurses perceive relational and organizational factors as barriers to address childhood obesity with parents. To improve care, it is necessary to provide nurses with continuing education about obesity and communication skills and organizational support to improve communication within the healthcare system. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03800823; 11 Jan 2019, prospectively registered.

A randomized controlled trial for overweight and obesity in preschoolers: the More and Less Europe study - an intervention within the STOP project.

BACKGROUND: Childhood overweight and obesity is a serious public health issue with an increase being observed in preschool-aged children. Treating childhood obesity is difficult and few countries use standardized treatments. Therefore, there is a need to find effective approaches that are feasible for both health care providers and families. Thus, the overall aim of this study is to assess the acceptance and effectiveness of a parent support program (the More and Less, ML) for the management of overweight and obesity followed by a mobile health (mHealth) program (the MINISTOP application) in a socially diverse population of families. METHODS/DESIGN: A two-arm, parallel design randomized controlled trial in 300 2-to 6-year-old children with overweight and obesity from Romania, Spain and Sweden (n = 100 from each). Following baseline assessments children are randomized into the intervention or control group in a 1:1 ratio. The intervention, the ML program, consists of 10-weekly group sessions which focus on evidence-based parenting practices, followed by the previously validated MINISTOP application for 6-months to support healthy eating and physical activity behaviors. The primary outcome is change in body mass index (BMI) z-score after 9-months and secondary outcomes include: waist circumference, eating behavior (Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire), parenting behavior (Comprehensive Feeding Practices Questionnaire), physical activity (ActiGraph wGT3x-BT), dietary patterns (based on metabolic markers from urine and 24 h dietary recalls), epigenetic and gut hormones (fasting blood samples), and the overall acceptance of the overweight and obesity management in young children (semi-structured interviews). Outcomes are measured at baseline and after: 10-weeks (only BMI z-score, waist circumference), 9-months (all outcomes), 15- and 21-months (all outcomes except physical activity, dietary patterns, epigenetics and gut hormones) post-baseline. DISCUSSION: This study will evaluate a parent support program for weight management in young children in three European countries. To boost the effect of the ML program the families will be supported by an app for 6-months. If the program is found to be effective, it has the potential to be implemented into routine care to reduce overweight and obesity in young children and the app could prove to be a viable option for sustained effects of the care provided. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03800823; 11 Jan 2019.

Picky eating in Swedish preschoolers of different weight status: application of two new screening cut-offs.

BACKGROUND: Characteristics of picky eaters of different weight status have not been sufficiently investigated. We used two newly developed screening cut-offs for picky eating in the Food fussiness (FF) subscale of the Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ) to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of picky eaters in preschool-aged children with thinness, normal weight, overweight or obesity. METHODS: Data for 1272 preschoolers (mean age 4.9 years) were analyzed. The parent-reported FF subscale ranges from 1 to 5, and two screening cut-offs were applied to classify children as picky eaters (3.0 and 3.33). Structural Equation Modeling was used to study associations with other factors in the CEBQ, the Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ) and the Lifestyle Behavior Checklist (LBC). Scores were compared separately for each weight status group. RESULTS: Nearly half of the children were classified as moderate or severe picky eaters (cut-off 3.0) and 30% as severe (cut-off 3.33). For both cut-offs, prevalence was significantly lower in the obesity group. Still, one-third of children with obesity met the cut-off of 3.0 and 17% met the cut-off of 3.33. While picky eaters displayed similar patterns across weight status groups, some differences emerged. Food responsiveness was lower for picky eaters, but the difference was significant only among children with obesity. Slowness in eating was not as pronounced among picky eaters in the obesity group. In the overweight and obesity groups, parents of picky eaters did not report as high pressure to eat, as compared to the thinness or normal weight groups; in the obesity group, parents of picky eaters also perceived their children's weight as lower. In all weight status groups, parents of picky eaters were more likely to report their children had too much screen time, complained about physical activity, and expressed negative affect toward food. CONCLUSIONS: Picky eating was less common but still prevalent among children with obesity. Future studies should investigate the potential influence of picky eating on childhood overweight and obesity. Moreover, as children with picky eating display higher emotional sensitivity, further research is needed to understand how to create positive eating environments particularly for children with picky eating and obesity.

The Smart City Active Mobile Phone Intervention (SCAMPI) study to promote physical activity through active transportation in healthy adults: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The global pandemic of physical inactivity represents a considerable public health challenge. Active transportation (i.e., walking or cycling for transport) can contribute to greater total physical activity levels. Mobile phone-based programs can promote behaviour change, but no study has evaluated whether such a program can promote active transportation in adults. This study protocol presents the design and methodology of The Smart City Active Mobile Phone Intervention (SCAMPI), a randomised controlled trial to promote active transportation via a smartphone application (app) with the aim to increase physical activity. METHODS/DESIGN: A two-arm parallel randomised controlled trial will be conducted in Stockholm County, Sweden. Two hundred fifty adults aged 20-65 years will be randomised to either monitoring of active transport via the TRavelVU app (control), or to a 3-month evidence-based behaviour change program to promote active transport and monitoring of active travel via the TRavelVU Plus app (intervention). The primary outcome is moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA in minutes/day) (ActiGraph wGT3x-BT) measured post intervention. Secondary outcomes include: time spent in active transportation measured via the TRavelVU app, perceptions about active transportation (the Transport and Physical Activity Questionnaire (TPAQ)) and health related quality of life (RAND-36). Assessments are conducted at baseline, after the completed intervention (after 3 months) and 6 months post randomisation. DISCUSSION: SCAMPI will determine the effectiveness of a smartphone app to promote active transportation and physical activity in an adult population. If effective, the app has potential to be a low-cost intervention that can be delivered at scale. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03086837 ; 22 March, 2017.

Perceived child eating behaviours and maternal migrant background.

The Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ) is a well-established instrument in the study of obesity-related eating behaviours among children. However, research using the CEBQ in multicultural samples is limited. This study aims to identify and examine differences in child eating behaviours as reported by Swedish-born and non-Swedish-born mothers living in Sweden. Mothers (n = 1310, 74 countries of origin, mean age 36.5 years, 63.6% with higher education, 29.2% with overweight or obesity) of children aged 3-8 years (mean age 4.8 years, 18.1% with overweight or obesity) completed the CEBQ. Responses were analysed using CEBQ subscales Food Responsiveness, Emotional Overeating, Enjoyment of Food, and Desire to Drink, clustering into Food Approach, and subscales Satiety Responsiveness, Slowness in Eating, Emotional Undereating, and Food Fussiness, clustering into Food Avoidance. Data were compared across seven regional groups, divided by maternal place of birth: (1) Sweden (n = 941), (2) Nordic and Western Europe (n = 68), (3) Eastern and Southern Europe (n = 97), (4) the Middle East and North Africa (n = 110), (5) East, South and Southeast Asia (n = 52), (6) Sub-Saharan Africa (n = 16), and (7) Central and South America (n = 26). Crude, partly and fully adjusted linear regression models controlled for child's age, gender and weight status, and mother's education, weight status and concern about child weight. The moderation effect of maternal concern about child weight was examined through interaction analyses. Results showed that while Food Approach and Food Avoidance behaviours were associated with maternal migrant background, associations for Food Fussiness were limited. Notably, mothers born in the Middle East and North Africa reported higher frequencies of both Food Approach (except for Enjoyment of Food) and Food Avoidance. The study highlights the importance of examining how regionally-specific maternal migrant background affects mothers' perceptions of child eating behaviours.

Controlling feeding practices and maternal migrant background: an analysis of a multicultural sample.

OBJECTIVE: Parental feeding practices shape children's relationships with food and eating. Feeding is embedded socioculturally in values and attitudes related to food and parenting. However, few studies have examined associations between parental feeding practices and migrant background. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. Parental feeding practices (restriction, pressure to eat, monitoring) were assessed using the Child Feeding Questionnaire. Differences were explored in four sub-samples grouped by maternal place of birth: Sweden, Nordic/Western Europe, Eastern/Southern Europe and countries outside Europe. Crude, partly and fully adjusted linear regression models were created. Potential confounding variables included child's age, gender and weight status, and mother's age, weight status, education and concern about child weight. SETTING: Malmö and Stockholm, Sweden. SUBJECTS: Mothers (n 1325, representing seventy-three countries; mean age 36·5 years; 28·1 % of non-Swedish background; 30·7 % with overweight/obesity; 62·8 % with university education) of pre-school children (mean age 4·8 years; 50·8 % boys; 18·6 % with overweight/obesity). RESULTS: Non-Swedish-born mothers, whether European-born or non-European-born, were more likely to use restriction. Swedish-born mothers and Nordic/Western European-born mothers reported lower levels of pressure to eat compared with mothers born in Eastern/Southern Europe and mothers born outside Europe. Differences in monitoring were small. Among the potential confounding variables, child weight status and concern about child weight were highly influential. Concern about child weight accounted for some of the effect of maternal origin on restriction. CONCLUSIONS: Non-European-born mothers were more concerned about children being overweight and more likely to report controlling feeding practices. Future research should examine acculturative and structural factors underlying differences in feeding.

Sleep differences in one-year-old children were related to obesity risks based on their parents' weight according to baseline longitudinal study data.

AIM: Parental obesity is the predominant risk factor for child obesity. We compared sleep in one-year-old children with different obesity risks, based on parental weight, and explored associations with weight, parental sleep and family factors. METHODS: Baseline data from 167 families participating in a longitudinal obesity prevention programme was used. Sleep patterns were compared between groups with high and low obesity risks, based on parental weight, and associations between child sleep and weight status, family obesity risk and parental sleep were explored. Sleep was assessed using child sleep diaries and standard parental questionnaires. RESULTS: Later bedtime, longer sleep onset latency and lower sleep efficiency were observed among children in the high-risk group. Child sleep onset latency was associated with the family obesity risk (ß = 0.25, p = 0.001), child bedtime with both maternal (ß = 0.33, p < 0.01) and paternal bedtime (ß = 0.22, p < 0.05) and child sleep efficiency with maternal sleep quality (ß = 0.20, p < 0.01). The child's bedtime was weakly associated with their body mass index (ß = 0.17, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Sleep differed between one-year-old children with high or low obesity risks, based on their parents' body mass index, and was associated with the family obesity risk and parental sleep. The child's bedtime was weakly associated with their weight status.

Blood flow responses over sacrum in nursing home residents during one hour bed rest.

OBJECTIVES: To describe individual BF responses in a nursing home resident population for one-hour periods of bed rest. METHODS: BF was measured for one hour over the sacrum in 0° supine position and 30° supine tilt position in 25 individuals aged 65 y or older while lying on a pressure-redistributing mattress. Measurements were made at three tissue depths (1, 2, and 10 mm) using the noninvasive optical techniques, LDF and PPG. RESULTS: Eleven participants had a PIV response at 1 mm depth in both positions and seven participants had a lack of this response at this depth and positions. The BF response at 1 mm depth appeared immediately and remained over, or below, baseline for the entire 60 min of loading in both positions. These BF patterns were also seen in deeper tissue layers. CONCLUSIONS: The cutaneous BF response among the nursing home residents was distinct, appeared early, and remained during the one hour of loading.

Obesogenic dietary intake in families with 1-year-old infants at high and low obesity risk based on parental weight status: baseline data from a longitudinal intervention (Early STOPP).

PURPOSE: To compare dietary intake in 1-year-old infants and their parents between families with high and low obesity risk, and to explore associations between infant dietary intake and relative weight. METHODS: Baseline analyses of 1-year-old infants (n = 193) and their parents participating in a longitudinal obesity intervention (Early STOPP) were carried out. Dietary intake and diet quality indicators were compared between high- and low-risk families, where obesity risk was based on parental weight status. The odds for high diet quality in relation to parental diet quality were determined. Associations between measured infant relative weight and dietary intake were examined adjusting for obesity risk, socio-demographics, and infant feeding. RESULTS: Infant dietary intake did not differ between high- and low-risk families. The parents in high-risk families consumed soft drinks, French fries, and low-fat spread more frequently, and fish and fruits less frequently (p < 0.05) compared to parents in low-risk families. Paternal intake of vegetables and fish increased the odds for children being consumers of vegetables (OR 1.7; 95 % CI 1.0-2.9) and fish, respectively (OR 2.5; 95 % CI 1.4-4.4). Infant relative weight was weakly associated with a high intake of milk cereal drink (r = 0.15; p < 0.05), but not with any other aspect of dietary intake, obesity risk, or early feeding patterns. CONCLUSIONS: At the age of one, dietary intake in infants is not associated with family obesity risk, nor with parental obesogenic food intake. Milk cereal drink consumption but no other infant dietary marker reflects relative weight at this young age.