Exploring the evidence base for Tier 3 specialist weight management interventions for children aged 2–18 years in the UK: a rapid systematic review

Background: The impact of specialist weight management services (Tier 3) for children with severe and complex obesity in the UK is unclear. This review aims to examine the impact of child Tier 3 services in the UK, exploring service characteristics and implications for practice. Methods: Rapid systematic review of any study examining specialist weight management interventions in any UK setting including children (2–18 years) with a body mass index >99.6th centile or >98th centile with comorbidity. Results: Twelve studies (five RCTs and seven uncontrolled) were included in a variety of settings. Study quality was moderate or low and mean baseline body mass index z-score ranged from 2.7 to 3.6 units. Study samples were small and children were predominantly older (10–14 years), female and white. Multidisciplinary team composition and eligibility criteria varied; dropout ranged from 5 to 43%. Improvements in zBMI over 1–24 months ranged from −0.13 to −0.41 units. Conclusions: Specialist weight management interventions for children with severe obesity demonstrated a reduction in zBMI, across a variety of UK settings. Studies were heterogeneous in content and thus conclusions on service design cannot be drawn. There is a paucity of evidence for Tier 3 services for children, and further research is required

Men’s social connectedness

Poor social connectedness is a significant issue for many men in their middle years. Summary Social isolation and loneliness are now widely accepted as risk factors for depression and anxiety. Conversely, social connectedness and good interpersonal relationships are considered protective factors that have a positive impact on mental (and general) health and well-being.  There is a growing body of research in this area that indicates men aged 30 to 65 (men in their middle years) experience more loneliness and have smaller social networks than women in the same age bracket. beyondblue commissioned this research project to: highlight social connectedness as a protective factor for mental health and wellbeing identify the barriers impacting on the social connectedness of men in their middle years  identify the factors which would facilitate social connectedness of men in their middle years  use the evidence from this research to inform future involvement in initiatives and strategies to help men in their middle years to connect socially The project adopted a multi-stage, multi-method approach, consisting of: a review of existing literature and interviews with thought leaders and practitioners; qualitative discussion groups; a quantitative online survey with 4,100 men; online discussion boards; and ethnographic case studies

NEIGHBORHOOD DYNAMICS AND PRICE EFFECTS OF SUPERFUND SITE CLEAN-UP

Numerous hedonic price analyses estimate price effects associated with hazardous waste site remediation or other environmental variation. This paper estimates a neighborhood transition model to capture the direct price effect from Superfund site clean-up and the indirect price effects arising from residential sorting and changes in investment in the housing stock following clean-up. First-difference models of neighborhood change and a national sample are used. This approach fails to find consistent positive direct price effects. Positive indirect effects, however, may arise through residential sorting and neighborhood investment spurred by remediation. The findings can be sensitive to policy endogeneity and model specification. Copyright Blackwell Publishing, Inc. 2007