Cost-effectiveness of reducing children's sedentary time and increasing physical activity at school: the Transform-Us! intervention.

BACKGROUND: Improving physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior represent important areas for intervention in childhood in order to reduce the burden of chronic disease related to obesity and physical inactivity in later life. This paper aims to determine the cost-effectiveness of a multi-arm primary school-based intervention to increase physical activity and/or reduce sedentary time in 8-9 year old children (Transform-Us!). METHODS: Modelled cost-utility analysis, using costs and effects from a cluster randomized controlled trial of a 30-month intervention that used pedagogical and environmental strategies to reduce and break up sedentary behaviour (SB-I), promote physical activity (PA-I), or a combined approach (PA + SB-I), compared to current practice. A validated multiple-cohort lifetable model (ACE-Obesity Policy model) estimated the obesity and physical activity-related health outcomes (measured as change in body mass index and change in metabolic equivalent task minutes respectively) and healthcare cost-savings over the cohort's lifetime from the public-payer perspective, assuming the intervention was delivered to all 8-9 year old children attending Australian Government primary schools. Sensitivity analyses tested the impact on cost-effectiveness of varying key input parameters, including maintenance of intervention effect assumptions. RESULTS: Cost-effectiveness results demonstrated that, when compared to control schools, the PA-I and SB-I intervention arms were "dominant", meaning that they resulted in net health benefits and healthcare cost-savings if the intervention effects were maintained. When the costs and effects of these intervention arms were extrapolated to the Australian population, results suggested significant potential as obesity prevention measures (PA-I: 60,780 HALYs saved (95% UI 15,007-109,413), healthcare cost-savings AUD641M (95% UI AUD165M-$1.1B); SB-I: 61,126 HALYs saved (95% UI 11,770 - 111,249), healthcare cost-savings AUD654M (95% UI AUD126M-1.2B)). The PA-I and SB-I interventions remained cost-effective in sensitivity analysis, assuming the full decay of intervention effect after 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: The PA-I and SB-I Transform-Us! intervention arms represent good value for money and could lead to health benefits and healthcare cost-savings arising from the prevention of chronic disease in later life if intervention effects are sustained. TRIAL REGISTRATION: International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN83725066). Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry Number (ACTRN12609000715279).

MINISTOP 3.0: Implementation of a mHealth obesity prevention program within Swedish child healthcare - study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Previously, we have reported on the efficacy and real-world effectiveness of a parent-oriented mobile health intervention (MINISTOP 1.0 and 2.0), which have shown improvements in pre-school children's lifestyle behaviours. However, there is a need for implementation evidence. The overall aims of this study are to: (i) compare two different implementation strategies for MINISTOP 3.0 (Basic vs. Enhanced) on: acceptability, appropriateness, feasibility, organizational readiness to implement MINISTOP 3.0 within Swedish child healthcare (primary outcomes) as well as reach, costs, and adoption of MINISTOP 3.0 (secondary outcomes); (ii) evaluate cost-effectiveness of MINISTOP 3.0; (iii) explore the sustainability of MINISTOP 3.0; (iv) evaluate the determinants of effectiveness of MINISTOP 3.0 on children's key lifestyle behaviours; and (v) investigate the long-term effects of MINISTOP 3.0 on children's body mass index. METHODS: A hybrid type III implementation-effectiveness design will be used. A cluster randomized controlled trial will be conducted to compare the effects of basic versus enhanced implementation strategies on the outcomes at the child healthcare level. A minimum of 50 child healthcare centers across Sweden will participate and we aim to recruit 120 nurses. Child healthcare nurses in both groups will offer the MINISTOP 3.0 app to the families at the 2.5/3-year routine visit. Basic implementation strategies include educational meeting with nurses, formal implementation blueprint, develop/distribute educational materials and enhanced implementation includes all aforementioned strategies plus auditing/providing feedback and ongoing training for nurses. All outcomes will be assessed at baseline and 12 months post-implementation. Implementation outcomes will be assessed quantitatively using questionnaires and sustainability will be assessed qualitatively at 12 months. Children's key lifestyle behaviours will be collected through a parental questionnaire within the MINISTOP app at baseline and 6 months after they have received the app. Children's weight/height will be measured at routine visits at 2.5/3 (baseline), 4 and 5 years of age. DISCUSSION: This study will provide important implementation evidence with regards to implementing mHealth interventions within Swedish child healthcare at scale and these results have the potential to be generalized to other digital interventions being implemented in child healthcare. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05667753. Registered December 29, 2022.

The impacts of an mHealth intervention targeting parents on health service usage and out-of-pocket costs in the first 9 months of life: The Growing healthy app.

Mobile health (mHealth) interventions provide a low-cost, scalable approach to supporting parents with infant feeding advice with the potential to reduce health care visits and associated costs for infant feeding support. This Australian study examined the impact of the Growing healthy (GH) app on health service utilisation and out-of-pocket costs for families in the first 9 months of their infants life. A quasi-experimental study with a comparison group was conducted in 2015-2016 with an mHealth intervention group (GH app, n = 301) and a nonrandomized usual care group (n = 344). The GH app aimed to support parents of young infants with healthy infant feeding behaviours from birth to 9 months of age. App-generated notifications directed parents to age-and feeding-specific content within the app. Both groups completed surveys at baseline when infants were less than 3 months old (T1), at 6 months (T2) and 9 months (T3) of age. At T3, participants reported health services used and any out-of-pocket costs for advice on infant feeding, growth or activity. App users had lower odds (odds ratio: 0.38 95% confidence interval: 0.25, 0.59) of using one or more services and had lower number of visits to a general practitioner (1.0 vs. 1.5 visits, p = 0.003) and paediatrician (0.3 vs. 0.4 visits, p = 0.049) compared to the usual care group. There was no difference in out-of-pocket costs between groups. Provision of an evidenced-based infant feeding app may provide substantial savings to the health system and potentially to parents through fewer primary health care and paediatrician visits.

Longitudinal relationships between sub-clinical depression, sub-clinical eating disorders and health-related quality of life in early adolescence.

OBJECTIVE: A comprehensive understanding of the relationship between depressive symptoms and eating disorder (ED) symptoms requires consideration of additional variables that may influence this relationship. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has been associated with both depression and EDs; however, there is limited evidence to demonstrate how all three variables interact over time. This study sought to explore the bi-directional relationships between depressive symptoms, ED symptoms and HRQOL in a large community sample of young adolescents METHOD: Adolescents (N = 1393) aged between 11 and 14 years (M = 12.50, SD = 0.38) completed an online survey measuring depressive symptoms, ED symptoms and HRQOL. Two-level autoregressive cross-lagged models with three variables (i.e., depressive symptoms, HRQOL and ED) assessed across two time points (T1 and T2) were created to address the study aims. RESULTS: HRQOL was found to predict depressive symptoms and depressive symptoms were found to predict ED symptoms. Components of HRQOL (i.e., social relationships and ability to cope) were found to share a differential relationship with depressive symptoms. Inability to cope predicted depressive symptoms and depressive symptoms predicted negative social relationships. EDs were found to predict reduced HRQOL and negative social relationships. DISCUSSION: Findings suggest prevention and early intervention programs designed to address adolescent depression should focus on improving HRQOL. Future research should assess the relationship between HRQOL and individual ED symptoms (e.g., body-related ED symptoms, restrictive symptoms) as a means of exploring relationships that may have been masked by assessing ED symptoms using a total score. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: This study sought to explore how eating disorders, depressive symptoms, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) relate over time in a sample of young adolescents. Findings indicate adolescents who self-reported lower levels of HRQOL, including a reduced ability to cope, are at risk of experiencing depressive symptoms. Adolescents should be provided with the tools to develop problem-focused coping strategies as a means of reducing depressive symptoms.

Transform-Us! cluster RCT: 18-month and 30-month effects on children's physical activity, sedentary time and cardiometabolic risk markers.

OBJECTIVE: To test the efficacy of the Transform-Us! school- and home-based intervention on children's physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviour (SB) and cardiometabolic risk factor profiles. METHODS: A 30-month 2×2 factorial design cluster randomised controlled trial delivered in 20 primary schools (148 Year 3 classes) in Melbourne, Australia (2010-2012), that used pedagogical and environmental strategies to reduce and break up SB, promote PA or a combined approach, compared with usual practice. Primary outcomes (accelerometry data; n=348) were assessed at baseline, 18 and 30 months. Secondary outcomes included body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) (n=564), blood pressure (BP) (n=537) and biomarkers (minimum n=206). Generalised linear mixed models estimated the interactive effects of the PA and SB interventions on the outcomes. If there was no interaction, the main effects were assessed. RESULTS: At 18 months, there were intervention effects on children's weekday SB (-27 min, 95% CI: -47.3 to -5.3) for the PA intervention, and on children's average day PA (5.5 min, 95% CI: 0.1 to 10.8) for the SB intervention. At 30 months, there was an intervention effect for children's average day SB (-33.3 min, 95% CI: -50.6 and -16.0) for the SB intervention. Children's BMI (PA and SB groups) and systolic BP (combined group) were lower, and diastolic BP (PA group) was higher. There were positive effects on WC at both time points (SB intervention) and mixed effects on blood parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The Transform-Us! PA and SB interventions show promise as a pragmatic approach for reducing children's SB and adiposity indicators; but achieving substantial increases in PA remains challenging. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN83725066; ACTRN12609000715279.

Core outcome set for early intervention trials to prevent obesity in childhood (COS-EPOCH): Agreement on "what" to measure.

BACKGROUND: Heterogeneity in the outcomes collected and reported in trials of interventions to prevent obesity in the first five years of life highlights the need for a core outcome set to streamline intervention evaluation and synthesis of effects. This study aimed to develop a core outcome set for use in early childhood obesity prevention intervention studies in children from birth to five years of age (COS-EPOCH). METHODS: The development of the core outcome set followed published guidelines and consisted of three stages: (1) systematic scoping review of outcomes collected and reported in early childhood obesity prevention trials; (2) e-Delphi study with stakeholders to prioritise outcomes; (3) meeting with stakeholders to reach consensus on outcomes. Stakeholders included parents/caregivers of children aged ≤ five years, policy-makers/funders, researchers, health professionals, and community and organisational stakeholders interested in obesity prevention interventions. RESULTS: Twenty-two outcomes from nine outcome domains (anthropometry, dietary intake, sedentary behaviour, physical activity, sleep, outcomes in parents/caregivers, environmental, emotional/cognitive functioning, economics) were included in the core outcome set: infant tummy time; child diet quality, dietary intake, fruit and vegetable intake, non-core food intake, non-core beverage intake, meal patterns, weight-based anthropometry, screentime, time spent sedentary, physical activity, sleep duration, wellbeing; parent/caregiver physical activity, sleep and nutrition parenting practices; food environment, sedentary behaviour or physical activity home environment, family meal environment, early childhood education and care environment, household food security; economic evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: The systematic stakeholder-informed study identified the minimum outcomes recommended for collection and reporting in early childhood obesity prevention trials. Future work will investigate the recommended instruments to measure each of these outcomes. The core outcome set will standardise guidance on the measurement and reporting of outcomes from early childhood obesity prevention interventions, to better facilitate evidence comparison and synthesis, and maximise the value of data collected across studies.

Exploring the economics of public health intervention scale-up: a case study of the Supporting Healthy Image, Nutrition and Exercise (SHINE) cluster randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The costs and benefits of an intervention within the intervention testing phase may differ from those experienced when that intervention is implemented and delivered at scale. Yet limited empirical work has been undertaken to explore how economic constructs related to implementation and scale-up might have an impact on intervention cost. The aim of this study was to explore the potential economic impacts of implementation and scale-up on a healthy weight and body image intervention tested in a Type II translational research trial. METHODS: The Supporting Healthy Image, Nutrition and Exercise (SHINE) study is a cluster randomised controlled trial, aiming to deliver universal education about healthy nutrition, physical activity and wellbeing behaviours to adolescents in Australian secondary schools. Data on the cost of the intervention were collected alongside the trial using standard micro-costing techniques. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with key intervention stakeholders to explore the potential economic impacts of implementation and scale-up. Thematic content analysis was undertaken by two authors. RESULTS: Fifteen intervention group schools participated in the 8-week online intervention targeting students in 2019 (99 Grade 7 classes; 2,240 students). Booster sessions were delivered during one class session in Grades 8 and 9, in 2020 and 2021 respectively. Time costs of intervention delivery and co-ordination comprised the majority (90%) of intervention cost as per the trial, along with costs associated with travel for intervention training and equipment. Themes related to the benefit of the intervention emerged from interviews with six intervention stakeholders, including the potential for economies of scale afforded by online delivery. Contextual themes that may have an impact on intervention implementation and scale included acceptability across all school sectors, availability and reliability of IT infrastructure for intervention delivery and variations in population characteristics. A number of key alterations to the intervention program emerged as important in supporting and sustaining intervention scale-up. In addition, significant implementation costs were identified if the intervention was to be successfully implemented at scale. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this study provide important information relevant to decisions on progression to a Type III implementation trial, including budget allocation, and will inform modelled economic evaluation.

Depression and eating disorders in early adolescence: A network analysis approach.

OBJECTIVE: Eating disorders (EDs) and depression are among the most debilitating and pervasive mental illnesses. Although they often co-occur, the relationship between EDs and depression remains poorly understood. This study used network analysis to explore the symptom-level relationship between EDs and depression among a sample of Australian adolescents completing their first year of secondary school. METHOD: Adolescents (N = 4,421) aged between 10 and 15 years completed the Centre for Epidemiological Depression Scale and the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire. Network structure was estimated using the Gaussian graphical model and node centrality was assessed using one-step expected influence (EI) and bridge EI. RESULTS: "Depressed," "lonely," and "low energy" were identified as core symptoms of depression. "Shape and weight dissatisfaction," "desire to lose weight," and "preoccupation with shape or weight" were identified as core ED symptoms. "Irritable," "social eating," and "depressed" were identified as the most important nodes connecting (i.e., bridging) symptoms of depression and EDs. DISCUSSION: This study provides an important symptom-level conceptualization of the association between depression and ED symptoms in a community sample of adolescents. This preliminary evidence may guide the development of public health prevention and early intervention programs. Future research should be conducted to address the study limitations (e.g., cross-sectional design).

Correction to: a narrative review of economic constructs in commonly used implementation and scale-up theories, frameworks and models.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Cost-effectiveness of community-based childhood obesity prevention interventions in Australia.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to examine, from a limited societal perspective, the cost-effectiveness of community-based obesity prevention interventions (CBIs)-defined as a programme of community-level strategies to promote healthy eating and physical activity for Australian children (aged 5-18 years). METHODS: The effectiveness of CBIs was determined by undertaking a literature review and meta-analysis. Commonly implemented strategies to increase physical activity and improve nutrition were costed (in 2010 Australian dollars) to determine the average cost of a generic programme. A multiple cohort Markov model that simulates diseases associated with overweight and obesity was used to estimate the health benefits, measured as health-adjusted life years (HALYs) and healthcare-related cost offsets from diseases averted due to exposure to the intervention. Health and cost outcomes were estimated over the lifetime of the target population. Monte-Carlo simulation was used to assess second-order uncertainty of input parameters to estimate mean incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) with 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs). Scenario analyses tested variations in programme intensity, target population, and duration of effect. RESULTS: The meta-analysis revealed a small but significant difference in BMI z-score (mean difference of - 0.07 (95% UI: - 0.13 to - 0.01)) favouring the CBI community compared with the control. The estimated net cost of implementing CBIs across all local government areas (LGAs) in Australia was AUD426M (95% UI: AUD3M to AUD823M) over 3 years. This resulted in 51,792 HALYs gained (95% UI: 6816 to 96,972) over the lifetime of the cohort. The mean ICER was AUD8155 per HALY gained (95% UI: AUD237 to AUD81,021), with a 95% probability of being cost-effective at a willingness to pay threshold of AUD50,000 per HALY. CONCLUSIONS: CBIs are cost-effective obesity prevention initiatives; however, implementation across Australia will be (relatively) expensive when compared with current investments in preventive health.

Better transport accessibility, better health: a health economic impact assessment study for Melbourne, Australia.

BACKGROUND: Physical inactivity is a global public health problem, partly due to urbanization and increased use of passive modes of transport such as private motor vehicles. Improving accessibility to public transport could be an effective policy for Governments to promote equity and efficiency within transportation systems, increase population levels of physical activity and reduce the negative externalities of motor vehicle use. Quantitative estimates of the health impacts of improvements to public transport accessibility may be useful for resource allocation and priority-setting, however few studies have been published to inform this decision-making. This paper aims to estimate the physical activity, obesity, injury, health and healthcare cost-saving outcomes of scenario-based improvements to public transport accessibility in Melbourne, Australia. METHODS: Baseline and two hypothetical future scenario estimates of improved public transport accessibility for Melbourne, Australia, were derived using a spatial planning and decision tool designed to simulate accessibility performance (the Spatial Network Analysis for Multimodal Urban Transport Systems (SNAMUTS)). Public transport related physical activity was quantified by strata of age group and sex from Melbourne travel survey data (VISTA survey) and used with the SNAMUTS Composite Index to estimate input data for health impact modelling for the Melbourne population aged 20-74 years. A proportional multi-state, multiple cohort lifetable Markov model quantified the potential health gains and healthcare cost-savings from estimated changes in physical activity, body weight and injuries related to walking to access/egress public transport under two scenarios: (S1) public transport accessibility under current policy directions, and (S2) multi-directional, high-frequency network improvements. RESULTS: Multi-directional, high-frequency improvements to the public transport network (S2) resulted in significantly greater health and economic gains than current policy directions (S1) in relation to physical activity (mean 6.4 more MET minutes/week), body weight (mean 0.05 kg differential), health-adjusted life years gained (absolute difference of 4878 HALYs gained) and healthcare cost-savings (absolute difference of AUD43M), as compared to business as usual under both scenarios (n = 2,832,241 adults, over the lifecourse). CONCLUSIONS: Based on our conservative analyses, improving accessibility to public transport will improve population health by facilitating physical activity and lead to healthcare cost savings compared with business-as-usual. These wider health benefits should be better considered in transport planning and policy decisions.

Psychosocial standards of care for children with cancer and their families: A national survey of pediatric oncology social workers.

In 2015, an interdisciplinary group of psychosocial experts developed The Standards of Psychosocial Care for Children with Cancer and Their Families. This paper presents data from a national survey of pediatric oncology social workers and their experiences in delivering psychosocial care to children and families. In total, 107 social workers from 81 cancer institutions participated in a 25-item online survey that mirrored the 15 Standards for Psychosocial Care. Both closed and open-ended questions were included. Social work participants reported that psychosocial support is being provided at most cancer centers surveyed, primarily by social workers and child life specialists, addressing adaptation to the cancer diagnosis, treatment, and transitions into survivorship or end-of-life care and bereavement. While social workers reported offering comprehensive services throughout the cancer trajectory, many of the 2015 Standards are not being systematically implemented. Areas for improvement include funding for psychosocial support staff and programs, incorporation of standardized assessment measures, assessment for financial burden throughout treatment and beyond, consistent access to psychology and psychiatry, integrated care for parents and siblings, and more inclusion of palliative care services from time of diagnosis.

The effects of duration of any breastfeeding on body mass index in Australian children: Exploration of health, economic and equity impacts.

BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding is a protective measure against childhood overweight and obesity. However, many children are not breastfed the recommended duration, with those from disadvantaged backgrounds more likely to cease breastfeeding early. OBJECTIVES: Investigate the association between duration of any breastfeeding and body mass index (BMI) and estimate the health, economic and equity impacts of increasing breastfeeding duration to at least 6 months. METHODS: We modelled the association between any breastfeeding duration and BMI at age 6/7 years, using a nationally representative cohort of 3935 Australian children (survey weighted to 221 103 children). We then used a simulation model to predict the impact of increasing breastfeeding duration to at least 6 months in all children on prevalence of overweight (including obesity) and associated healthcare costs to age 16/17 years. RESULTS: Achieving breastfeeding duration of at least 6 months could prevent 2933 cases of overweight at age 16/17 years, translating to healthcare cost-savings of AUD $4.29 million. Although most cases (68%) would come from low socio-economic backgrounds this would make only a minor difference in reducing inequalities. CONCLUSION: Efforts to support increased breastfeeding duration could result in reduced prevalence of overweight and obesity and save healthcare costs, however, additional action would be required to improve equity.

What Interventions are Cost Effective in Reducing Violence Against Women? A Scoping Review.

PURPOSE: To systematically summarise the recent literature on the cost and cost effectiveness of interventions implemented to reduce violence against women (VAW) and decision frameworks guiding resource allocation. METHOD: A scoping review of scholarly and grey literature on the cost-effectiveness and/or resource allocation for interventions addressing intimate partner violence (IPV), dating violence and non-partner sexual violence perpetrated against women aged 15 years and over. All settings and contexts were eligible, with papers published in English between 2010 and March 2023 included. RESULTS: Nineteen papers fulfilled the inclusion criteria reporting the cost, cost savings and/or cost effectiveness of 24 interventions to prevent IPV and to a lesser extent, other forms of interpersonal violence. Among the 16 economic evaluation studies reviewed, four types of interventions were cost effective in multiple settings or studies, including community activism (Uganda, Ghana), gender transformative interventions with couples and individuals (Ethiopia, Rwanda), specific justice and law enforcement measures (USA) and a combined personnel training, support, and referral programme in General Practice in the UK. Other interventions were cost effective in a single study or had conflicting evidence. Three remaining papers conducted a partial evaluation or cost appraisal providing limited information on the cost or cost-savings of other implemented interventions. No frameworks on resource allocation for the prevention of VAW were identified. CONCLUSION: While there is some evidence of cost effectiveness emerging for interventions implemented in specific contexts, overall, we find the recent evidence on costs and cost effectiveness of interventions for the prevention of VAW to be limited. Embedding economic evaluation in future effectiveness trials will build critical evidence needed to inform policy and resource allocation decisions based on the value-for-money of interventions. Modelling the benefits and costs of interventions to better understand the societal impacts of programmes at scale is a further research opportunity.

Model-Based Economic Evaluations of Interventions for Dementia: An Updated Systematic Review and Quality Assessment.

BACKGROUND: There has been an increase in model-based economic evaluations of interventions for dementia. The most recent systematic review of economic evaluations for dementia highlighted weaknesses in studies, including lack of justification for model assumptions and data inputs. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to update the last published systematic review of model-based economic evaluations of interventions for dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, with a focus on any methodological improvements and quality assessment of the studies. METHODS: Systematic searches in eight databases, including PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, EconLit, international HTA database, and the Tufts Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Registry were undertaken from February 2018 until August 2022. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Philips checklist and the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) 2022 checklist. The findings were summarized through narrative analysis. RESULTS: This review included 23 studies, comprising cost-utility analyses (87%), cost-benefit analyses (9%) and cost-effectiveness analyses (4%). The studies covered various interventions, including pharmacological (n = 10, 43%), non-pharmacological (n = 4, 17%), prevention (n = 4, 17%), diagnostic (n = 4, 17%) and integrated (n = 1, 4%) [diagnostics-pharmacologic] strategies. Markov transition models were commonly employed (65%), followed by decision trees (13%) and discrete-event simulation (9%). Several interventions from all categories were reported as being cost effective. The quality of reporting was suboptimal for the Methods and Results sections in almost all studies, although the majority of studies adequately addressed the decision problem, scope, and model-type selection in their economic evaluations. Regarding the quality of methodology, only a minority of studies addressed competing theories or clearly explained the rationale for model structure. Furthermore, few studies systematically identified key parameters or assessed data quality, and uncertainty was mostly addressed partially. CONCLUSIONS: This review informs future research and resource allocation by providing insights into model-based economic evaluations for dementia interventions and highlighting areas for improvement.

The range of outcomes and outcome measurement instruments collected in multisectoral community-based obesity prevention interventions in children: A systematic review.

Multicomponent and multisectoral community-based interventions (CBIs) have proven potential in preventing overweight and obesity in children. Synthesizing evidence on the outcomes collected and reported in such CBIs is critical for the evidence of effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. This systematic review aimed to identify the range of outcomes and outcome measurement instruments collected and reported in multisectoral and multicomponent CBIs for obesity prevention in children. A systematic search updated an existing review and extended the search to 11 academic databases (2017-2023) and gray literature. Outcomes were classified into outcome domains, and common measurement instruments were summarized. Seventeen outcome domains from 140 unique outcomes were identified from 45 included interventions reported in 120 studies. The most frequently collected outcome domains included anthropometry and body composition (91% of included interventions), physical activity (84%), dietary intake (71%), environmental (71%), and sedentary behavior (62%). The most frequently collected outcomes from each of these domains included body mass index (89%), physical activity (73%), fruit and vegetable intake (58%), school environment (42%), and screen time (58%). Outcome measurement instruments varied, particularly for behavioral outcomes. Standardization of reported outcomes and measurement instruments is recommended to facilitate data harmonization and support quantifying broader benefits of CBIs for obesity prevention.

How much is invested in obesity prevention in Australia? An analysis of major research and Federal Government funding, 2013-2022.

Objective and importance of study: Overweight and obesity are the second leading risk factors for death and non-communicable disease in Australia. This study aimed to examine the Australian Federal Government funding landscape for population-level obesity prevention from 2013 to 2022. STUDY TYPE: A retrospective analysis and narrative synthesis of publicly available data on obesity prevention funding from the Federal Government and major federally funded Australian research organisations. METHODS: Searches were conducted of Australian Federal Government Budget documents and funding announcements from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Australian Research Council (ARC) and Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF). Funding allocations targeting obesity prevention, or the prevention of risk factors associated with obesity, were included. These were determined by the presence of keywords related to obesity, unhealthy diet, physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Data were extracted verbatim, coded and narratively synthesised by funding source. RESULTS: From 2013 to 2022, 186 funding allocations for obesity prevention in Australia were identified, totalling approximately A$778 million. The proportion of funding allocated to obesity prevention compared to the total annual budget of each funding source was relatively low: NHMRC = 1.1%; ARC = 0.2%; MRFF = 0.8%; Federal Government = 0.1% (of health budget). Funding for obesity prevention initiatives fluctuated over time. CONCLUSIONS: Findings underscore the need for strategic and ongoing funding allocation to support obesity prevention research, implementation and sustainment of evidence-based obesity prevention initiatives in Australia.

Collaborating with end-users in evidence synthesis: case studies for prevention in the first 2000 days.

BACKGROUND: Evidence synthesis is an important tool to inform decision-making in public health policy and practice. Collaborative approaches to evidence synthesis involving researchers and the end-users of their research can enhance the relevance of the evidence for policy and practice and overcome the limitations of traditional evidence synthesis methods. Despite its benefits, collaboration is not consistently integrated into evidence-synthesis methods. Type of program or service: Collaborative evidence synthesis for public health policy and practice. METHODS: Reflecting on our experiences of undertaking collaborative evidence syntheses with end-users to inform policy and practice around preventive health in the first 2000 days of life, we have collated our key learnings to inform future collaborations in public health research. RESULTS: Key themes generated from our reflections were: 1) establish genuine partnerships early on with stakeholders, leveraging existing trusted relationships; 2) identify common goals; 3) prioritise evidence synthesis aims and objectives to ensure they are policy and practice relevant; and 4) maintain transparent, two-way communication. LESSONS LEARNT: Collaboration involving researchers and end-users enhances knowledge synthesis methodologies, increases relevance and accessibility of the evidence for end-users, and strengthens research-policy relationships.

Spillover effects of childhood obesity prevention interventions: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity prevention initiatives are complex interventions that aim to improve children's obesity-related behaviors and provide health promoting environments. These interventions often impact individuals, communities, and outcomes not primarily targeted by the intervention or policy. To accurately capture the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of childhood obesity prevention interventions, an understanding of the broader impacts (or spillover effects) is required. This systematic review aims to assess the spillover effects of childhood obesity prevention interventions. METHODS: Six academic databases and two trial registries were searched (2007-2023) to identify studies reporting quantifiable obesity-related and other outcomes in individuals or communities not primarily targeted by an obesity prevention intervention. Critical appraisal was undertaken for studies that reported statistically significant findings, and a narrative synthesis of the data was undertaken. RESULTS: Twenty academic studies and 41 trial records were included in the synthesis. The most commonly reported spillovers were diet or nutrition-related, followed by BMI and physical activity/sedentary behavior. Spillovers were mostly reported in parents/caregivers followed by other family members. Nine of the 20 academic studies reported statistically significant spillover effects. CONCLUSION: Limited evidence indicates that positive spillover effects of childhood obesity prevention interventions can be observed in parents/caregivers and families of targeted participants.

Supporting the next generation of prevention research leaders to conduct effective research-policy partnerships.

Successful research-policy partnerships rely on shared vision, dedicated investment, and mutual benefits. To ensure the ongoing value of chronic disease prevention research, and support research translation and impact, Australia needs funding, university, and policy systems that incentivise and support emerging leaders to drive effective partnerships.