Obesity: weighing on the minds of Europeans
The late 20th century saw obesity rates shoot through the roof, a trend which has continued through to this century. While more than 50% of Europeans are either overweight or obese, a more chilling fact is that over 20 million children are battling the bulge. While fad diets, pill-popping and cosmetic surgery may be a reprieve for many, a quick and safe solution has not been found. The European Union is determined to tackle this problem and has set its sights on promoting the well-being of Europeans. Joining this fight is a team of researchers carrying out a new epidemiological study to improve knowledge of the factors that affect childhood obesity and other nutrition-related disorders. Led by the University of Bremen, Bremen Institute of Prevention Research and Social Medicine (BIPS), the IDEFICS-Study ('Identification and prevention of dietary- and lifestyle-induced health effects in children and infants') will also develop, implement and assess specific activities for neutralising the obesity epidemic. Modules to encourage healthy eating and increase physical activity and relaxation are part of the Intervention Programme, which will be assessed prior to, during and after its implementation. Launched in September 2006, the multi-site IDEFICS-Study is funded under the European Commission's Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) and will run until 2011. It is being applied across nine different European countries, including Belgium, Estonia, Greece and Sweden. Reflecting the prevalence of obesity in childhood, the project focuses on very young children. 'Nutritional factors, genetic as well as non-genetic factors, psychosocial factors and different social settings such as the kindergarten, school, home and community environment will be investigated. These take into account various factors that may contribute to the onset of childhood obesity,' explains Professor Dr Wolfgang Ahrens of BIPS, the Coordinator of this Integrated Project. 'This will allow us to find the major factors for the development of childhood obesity.' The difference between the IDEFICS study and past studies, says Professor Ahrens, is that for the first time in Europe it will be possible to assess and compare the factors putting children at risk of obesity in nine European states. A sample of 17,000 children will be collected for this study. According to Professor Ahrens, the particularly innovative aspects of the study are: - Development of Global Index System (GIS)-methodology to describe the 'obesogenic' environment around schools and kindergartens, creating an index of 'walkability' and 'playability' to describe opportunities for outdoor physical activity and the types of food on offer to children; - Assessment of sensory perception and food preferences in children (experimental setting); - Strong involvement of consumer science to investigate behavioural and psychosocial determinants; - Measurement of physical activity in a sub-sample of all children using accelerometers, since using excess questionnaires does not work in the very young age group. Hoping to ensure sustainable, healthy lifestyles for all Europeans, in particular children, the team will develop activities to bolster the health of younger generations, and will disseminate the results across Europe. But this is not all. The 2.5-year programme, which Professor Ahrens explains is longer in duration than most previous intervention studies, will ensure that the key messages are sustainable for the 2 to 10 year-olds involved in IDEFICS. Professor Ahrens tells CORDIS News that the Programme will consider establishing local intervention committees with the participation of local actors from the fields of education, social services and children's health. The committees could continue once the study ends. The intervention modules, he adds, shall be simple, inexpensive and easy to implement. This will 'facilitate their transfer to other regions or countries'. The IDEFICS has foreseen the need to adapt standard intervention modules to local conditions and culture and/or religious customs. The team will make a number of the intervention modules available during and after the study on the project website. Professor Ahrens is quick to add that parents, teachers and nurses will also have access to the website, as it will not only be relevant for those participating in the study. Moreover, 'guidelines for policymakers will be developed as part of the IDEFICS study', he explains. This will guarantee greater visibility of the project and increase the likelihood of its recommendations being implemented in other regions and settings. Professor Ahrens underlines that children will be the biggest benefactors from the study and the Intervention Programme, 'in the sense that healthy eating, sports activities and relaxation are embedded in their lifestyle.' Policymakers will be able to use the findings for 'health reforms or for a wider implementation of the study', he adds. Professor Ahrens notes the significant role that small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are playing in the study. The consortium comprises 23 partners from 11 EU Member States. Seventeen of the 23 partners represent research institutes and universities, and six are SMEs, whose 'experience ranges from media expertise in science transfer and its use on the Internet and TV, via the development of new technology (accelerometers) and the application of innovative laboratory methods', he says. 'The study will provide a milestone in the field of the evaluation of prevention programmes and thus highlight the importance of evaluation,' Professor Ahrens emphasises. 'Several of the innovative study components may be taken up in the future by research teams in other regions of the world facing the epidemic of overweight and obesity.'