Diet and behaviour
Research into healthy and unhealthy lifestyles
Researchers from different countries are now working together to gain a better understanding of factors that influence dietary choices, eating habits and physical activity. One example of their scientific co-operation is the Policy Evaluation Network (PEN). This extensive international project identifies, evaluates and compares policies to promote physical activity and healthy eating in various European countries. ZonMw is funding its researchers in the Netherlands. Below we visit them and other Dutch projects aiming to develop effective interventions and to promote better exercise and eating habits in the fight against overweight and obesity.
Project visits
The SO-NUTS project is investigating ways to prevent sarcopenia (age-related loss of muscle mass and function), obesity and the combination of the two (sarcopenic obesity) in people around retirement age. Its researchers are using the new knowledge and insights generated by this study to develop an application to help people lose weight in that phase of life, whilst maintaining muscle mass.
Application prototype
During our visit to the project, ZonMw was able to see the application’s initial prototype. In their first year, the researchers have identified a number of risk factors for sarcopenic obesity and used these to develop the application. Its users will receive support in adopting, achieving and maintaining personal lifestyle adjustments. These include power training sessions twice a week and eating 200 grams of vegetables every day.
A group of 100 participants will test the application for the duration of the project. The consortium has also applied for follow-up funding to further develop, test and implement the application after completion of the SO-NUTS project.
Unfortunately, established interventions to prevent obesity are not reaching many of the vulnerable groups most in need of them. The GrowH! project is developing and testing intervention strategies better suited to these target groups, which should therefore be more effective.
Predicting obesity risk
During the project’s first year, the researchers in Amsterdam developed computational models to predict childhood obesity. These are able to identify children who are at high risk of developing the condition, so that they can then be offered early interventions to prevent them from actually becoming overweight.
The GrowH! team has also adapted two existing interventions and implemented them locally in Spain and Germany, with the aim of reaching vulnerable groups and so reducing their risk of obesity. The researchers have been working actively with the participating children and families to make the interventions as compatible as possible with their target group. The youngsters in Spain, for instance, devise the interventions themselves and then implement and evaluate them. This process is facilitated by a researcher. The resulting interventions should encourage physical activity and healthy eating in children. In the next two years the project will focus upon the implementation of a “systemic” approach to prevent overweight and obesity in children.
A person’s risk of developing obesity is determined to some extent during their first 1000 days of life. The EndObesity project is therefore focusing upon the development of new strategies to prevent obesity and overweight in childhood.
Risk-prediction models
During ZonMw’s online visit, the EndObesity project leaders told us more about their first year of research and the results it has achieved. As its contribution to this international initiative, Erasmus UMC began developing prediction models to identify families at high risk of having obese children – even before pregnancy. Various parental characteristics are taken into account, including age, ethnicity, BMI and smoking.
The researchers now plan to develop intervention strategies for the period before conception and for the first three months of pregnancy, to try to reduce and hopefully prevent obesity right from the very start of life. A number of stakeholders are involved in the project as well, including parent-and-child organisations, and they will provide input to ensure that the strategies are practicable. Sarphati Amsterdam, as a consortium partner, is responsible for their implementation and evaluation.
On our visit to PEN, its researchers introduced us to their study of public backing for a sweetened beverage tax in the Netherlands, part of a wider case study on sugary drinks. The bottom line: Dutch adults do broadly support such a levy, especially if the revenue is ploughed back into health initiatives. Five Dutch research groups are involved in the PEN project, co-ordinated by the VUmc – which is also vice-co-ordinator of the full international consortium. Amongst other things, the Dutch partners make sure that equality and diversity are taken into account in all tasks undertaken by the consortium (e.g. socioeconomic and ethnic health differences).