Intervention Study to Prevent Obesity in Sedentary 8 Year Old Swedish Children (STOPP-8)

• Change in level of physical activity [ Time Frame: screening, 0 and 15 weeks and 12 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Physical activity, is measured with tri-axis accelerometers of the brand Actigraph model GT3X. Data is collected every 10 seconds during 7 consequtive whole days. It is the most feasible and precise method for the purpose.
  
  

• Body composition [ Time Frame: 0 and 15 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Dual Energy X-ray Absorbtiometry (body composition and Bone mass density). Brand: General Electrics Helath Care; Model: iDXA. It is a non-invasive method using x-ray and computer technology to assess the proportions of fat mass, lean mass and bone mass and to meassure the bone mass density. The method is widely used and does not mean any direct increased risk. The amount of x-ray is equivalent to the amount individuals get exposed from their natural environment during an average day in free living conditions.
  
  
• Cardiovascular risk markers [ Time Frame: 0 and 15 seeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
  Blood sample is collected from all participants in the intervention program (all 4 arms). However, this will not be decisive for inclusion in the study. Parents will be thoroughly informed of the procedure of blood sampling (i.e. local anaesthesia) and that they can choose not to participate in this part of the study. Fasting blood samples will be analyzed for LDL-C, HDL-C, tot-C, TG, Lp(a), hsCRP, TNF-α, IL6, IL1, PAI-1, glucose, Apo A-1, Apo B, adiponectin, leptin, insulin, omega-3 and FTO-gene expression.
  
  
• BMI (Body Mass Index) [ Time Frame: 0 and 15 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  The childrens' height and weight is recorded via standardized and calibrated scales and stadiometer.
  
  
• Quality of life [ Time Frame: 0 and 15 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  A validated questionnaire including self report for subjective feeling of quality of life are filled out by each child with assistance of an adult (parent or teacher)
  
  
• Self reported motor skills [ Time Frame: 0 and 15 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  A validated questionnaire including self report motor skills e are filled out by each child with assistance of an adult (parent or teacher)
  
  
• Self reported physical activity [ Time Frame: 0 and 15 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  A validated questionnaire including self report for physical activity are filled out by each child with assistance of an adult (parent or teacher)
  
  
• Physical fitness [ Time Frame: 0 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  An ergometer bicycle test is performed by each child at baseline to assess the level of physical fitness. It is a sub-maximal test performed at a moderate intensity work load during 5 - 8 minutes. This test is performed to characterize the participants and the result (an indirect messure for oxygen uptake capacity and aerobic work capacity) is used to controll and adjust the results by.
  
  

Background Between 3 to 5 % of Swedish 10 yr olds are obese and an additional 20 % are over-weight. Being physically inactive in childhood increases the risk for becoming obese both in child- and adulthood and a correlation between BMI and arterial-sclerotic markers can be seen already in childhood. Physical activity (PA) in children improve their insulin sensitivity and reduce metabolic risk regardless of the proportion of fat mass. Published questionnaire data suggests that the level of PA has decreased in children between the years 1968 to 2001.

Study aims To study whether a targeted intervention can increase PA in sedentary 8-yr old children (2nd grade Swedish elementary school) and how it affects secondary measures such as; metabolic- and cardiovascular risk markers; self-reported quality of life, PA and motor skills; BMI; body composition; bone mineral density (BMD); PF. To identify factors of success that could be implemented in schools and pre-schools and in the commune and health-care parent support.

Subjects and methods With informed written consent of parents/caretakers we will screen at selected schools with questionnaires and accelerometers to identify sedentary children. The 30% most inactive children will be offered participation in the study. Cut off values for inactivity is obtained from a large reference-material based on 1800 measurements on 6 - 10 yr old children from the STOPP study. The intervention will be delivered through sessions aiming at developing healthy habits regarding PA and via supplementation with fish liver oil. The sessions will be performed by trained health workers (coaches) and carried out in the families' homes and later on via telephone. All families will meet with their coach during at least 6 times. The coaches will use the technique of Motivational Interviewing (MI). However, extra efforts, such as group work-out sessions and out-door activities, will be made. The individual work with these families is delicate and the intervention staff group will therefore have continuous education and guidance from a qualified MI tutor. All included children will be randomized to equally sized intervention or control group. All outcome measures will be assessed at 0 and 15 weeks (completion) of the intervention. The study is limited by the school semesters. Screening is therefore scheduled to the fall- and intervention program to spring semester.