Our health, our research. Identifying public health research priorities among children and youth in a multiethnic population: protocol for a community-based participatory health research priority survey.

INTRODUCTION: Emphasis on public involvement (PI) in health research has increased in the last 20 years. However, there is limited literature on PI in planning and conducting population-based health research. This study aims to identify child and adolescent health research priorities among children and stakeholder groups in Northern Norway by inviting PI groups to collaborate with researchers to develop and conduct a research priority survey. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a community-based participatory research project. The methods for research prioritisation are informed by those developed by the James Lind Alliance. In addition, the survey design and engagement plans are developed in extensive collaboration with child and youth stakeholder groups. Nine PI groups have met three times to develop an anonymous child and youth health research priority survey, as well as strategies for recruitment and dissemination of results. All 5th-10th grade pupils in the Finnmark region will be invited to participate in the survey, as well as caretakers and adults working for and with children and youth. The survey results will be analysed in collaboration with the PI groups, and research priorities checked with existing research literature. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study is registered and approved by the Data Protection Authorities at the Finnmark Hospital Trust and the Expert Committee for Sami Health Research. Descriptions of methods applied and the survey results will be published in popular and scientific publications.

Age, income and sleep duration were associated with outcomes in children participating in weight management.

AIM: To explore associations between baseline factors and weight-related outcomes among participants enrolled in a paediatric obesity trial. METHODS: We included children aged 6-12 years participating in a 2-year multidisciplinary family programme who attended a postintervention follow-up 36 months from baseline (n = 62). Outcome measures were change in body mass index standard deviation score (BMI SDS), reduction in BMI SDS ≥0.25 and change in waist circumference (WC). Independent variables included in linear and logistic regression models were age, sex, household income, parents' education, sleep duration, screen time and physical activity. RESULTS: Altogether, 26 children (42%) attained a reduction of BMI SDS ≥0.25. Higher family income and longer sleep duration were associated with greater change in BMI SDS (-0.05 per 100.000 NOK, p = 0.02, and -0.24 per hour, p = 0.02, respectively). Higher age was associated with greater change in WC (-2.1 cm per year, p = 0.01) but lower odds of attaining a reduction in BMI SDS ≥0.25 (OR per year 0.70, p = 0.04). There was a borderline statistically significant trend towards greater increase in WC with longer daily screen time (p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Age, family income and sleep duration at baseline were associated with weight-related outcomes 1-year postintervention.

No additional long-term effect of group vs individual family intervention in the treatment of childhood obesity-A randomised trial.

AIM: Long-term evaluations of childhood obesity treatments are needed. We examined changes in weight and cardiometabolic risk 1 year after children completed individual family or group-based weight management interventions. METHODS: In 2009-2010, 6- to 12-year-old children with overweight or obesity from Finnmark and Troms (Norway) were recruited after media coverage and randomised to 24 months of individual family (n = 49) or group intervention (n = 48). Individual family intervention included counselling by a paediatric hospital team and a public health nurse in the local community. Group intervention included meetings with other families and a multidisciplinary hospital team, weekly physical activity sessions and a family camp. The primary outcome body mass index (BMI) and cardiometabolic risk factors were analysed 12 months after intervention. RESULTS: From baseline to 36 months, children's BMI increased 3.0 kg/m2 in individual family and 2.1 kg/m2 in group intervention (between-group -0.9kg/m2 , P = 0.096). Data were available from 62 children (64%). Between-group differences in C peptide (P = 0.01) were detected in favour of group intervention. Pooled data from both treatment groups showed continued decrease in BMI standard deviation score (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: No between-group difference in BMI was observed 12 months after intervention. Both groups combined showed sustained decrease in BMI standard deviation score.