The Healthy Start Project: Primary Prevention of Overweight in Preschool Children Susceptible to Future Overweight

Summary

Obesity prevention should remain a priority, although there is some evidence of a possible leveling off in some age groups across European countries and in USA, Japan and Australia. Besides adult health problems such as type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, obesity in childhood is associated with psychological and social problems, low self-esteem, stigmatization and being teased and bullied by friends. Danish research suggests that the causes behind the increase in obesity occurrence are present already in early childhood, and that prevention of obesity therefore has to start early. Research has suggested that at least three sub-groups can be considered susceptible to develop obesity: Children with obesity among their 1st degree relatives; children with a high birth weight or children coming from socially disadvantaged families (low socioeconomic status). Earlier intervention programs has showed little effect in preventing excessive weight gain and knowledge on how to develop effective intervention programs that reduce overweight and obesity remains limited. It has been suggested that future prevention programs may be more successful if specifically targeting groups that are at high risk, as mention above, of excessive weight gain.

Based on these suggestions, the "Sund Start" project was initiated. The purpose of the study was to determine whether aiming prevention towards 2-6 years old Danish children who were yet normal weight, but were considered susceptible to develop overweight or obese could prevent later on risk of becoming overweight or obese. Furthermore, to investigate if it was possible to improve diet habits, increase physical activity, reduce stress and improve sleeping habits among children at high risk for later on overweight and obesity.

The "Sund Start" project will contribute with knowledge about whether targeting normal weight, predisposed children is effective in preventing overweight and obesity, and if reduced stress and improved sleep, should be considered important new obesity prevention tools. Moreover, the project will contribute with knowledge about how to change lifestyle and its effects on development of overweight and obesity in high risk Danish preschool children.

Conditions

• Overweight
• Obesity

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Lifestyle habits, including sleep and stress

The intervention group was offered up to 10 individual consultations focusing on improving diet, physical activity and sleep habits and reducing stress. Moreover, the intervention group was offered participation in monthly cooking classes and playing arrangements

Sponsors & Collaborators

• TrygFonden, Denmark

  collaborator INDUSTRY

• The Danish Medical Research Council

  collaborator OTHER

• Sygekassernes Helsefond

  collaborator OTHER

• Bispebjerg Hospital

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Berit L Heitmann, Professor · Parker Institute

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

2 Years

Max Age

6 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2009-05-31

Primary Completion

2012-08-31

Completion

2018-06-30

Countries

• Denmark

Study Locations