13 research outputs found
Assessment of the Effectiveness of a Computerised Decision-Support Tool for Health Professionals for the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Obesity. Results from a Randomised Controlled Trial
We examined the effectiveness of a computerised decision-support tool
(DST), designed for paediatric healthcare professionals, as a means to
tackle childhood obesity. A randomised controlled trial was conducted
with 65 families of 6-12-year old overweight or obese children.
Paediatricians, paediatric endocrinologists and a dietitian in two
children's hospitals implemented the intervention. The intervention
group (IG) received personalised meal plans and lifestyle optimisation
recommendations via the DST, while families in the control group (CG)
received general recommendations. After three months of intervention,
the IG had a significant change in dietary fibre and sucrose intake by
4.1 and -4.6 g/day, respectively. In addition, the IG significantly
reduced consumption of sweets (i.e., chocolates and cakes) and salty
snacks (i.e., potato chips) by -0.1 and -0.3 portions/day, respectively.
Furthermore, the CG had a significant increase of body weight and waist
circumference by 1.4 kg and 2.1 cm, respectively, while Body Mass Index
(BMI) decreased only in the IG by -0.4 kg/m(2). However, the
aforementioned findings did not differ significantly between study
groups. In conclusion, these findings indicate the dynamics of the DST
in supporting paediatric healthcare professionals to improve the
effectiveness of care in modifying obesity-related behaviours. Further
research is needed to confirm these findings
Assessment of the Effectiveness of a Computerised Decision-Support Tool for Health Professionals for the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Obesity. Results from a Randomised Controlled Trial
We examined the effectiveness of a computerised decision-support tool (DST), designed for paediatric healthcare professionals, as a means to tackle childhood obesity. A randomised controlled trial was conducted with 65 families of 6–12-year old overweight or obese children. Paediatricians, paediatric endocrinologists and a dietitian in two children’s hospitals implemented the intervention. The intervention group (IG) received personalised meal plans and lifestyle optimisation recommendations via the DST, while families in the control group (CG) received general recommendations. After three months of intervention, the IG had a significant change in dietary fibre and sucrose intake by 4.1 and −4.6 g/day, respectively. In addition, the IG significantly reduced consumption of sweets (i.e., chocolates and cakes) and salty snacks (i.e., potato chips) by −0.1 and −0.3 portions/day, respectively. Furthermore, the CG had a significant increase of body weight and waist circumference by 1.4 kg and 2.1 cm, respectively, while Body Mass Index (BMI) decreased only in the IG by −0.4 kg/m2. However, the aforementioned findings did not differ significantly between study groups. In conclusion, these findings indicate the dynamics of the DST in supporting paediatric healthcare professionals to improve the effectiveness of care in modifying obesity-related behaviours. Further research is needed to confirm these findings
Cost-effectiveness analysis of a school- and community-based intervention to promote a healthy lifestyle and prevent type 2 diabetes in vulnerable families across Europe : the Feel4Diabetes-study
The Feel4Diabetes-study implemented a school- and community-based intervention to promote healthy lifestyle and prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in six European countries. The intervention included a special focus on families at increased T2DM risk. The current study evaluates the intervention's cost-effectiveness. A Markov-type health economic model was developed to predict the incidence of T2DM and its complications. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (lifetime horizon, societal perspective) were calculated based on the overall intervention effect on health behaviour, and stratified for low- and high-risk families. Sensitivity analyses captured input parameters uncertainty. A budget impact analysis was performed. The increase in children's water consumption and physical activity led to a modest gain in quality adjusted life years (QALYs) at a low intervention cost and budget impact. Medical cost savings due to avoided illness could only be achieved on the very long-term (>30 years). The intervention in its entirety was cost-effective (more QALYs at a reasonable investment) in Belgium, Finland, Bulgaria, and Hungary, while being dominant (net savings and more QALYs) in Greece and Spain. Results were cost-effective for the low-risk families, who only received the school- and community-based intervention component. Results for the high-risk families were only cost-effective (with considerable uncertainty) in Greece and Spain, but not when the intervention would need to be repeated. The Feel4Diabetes-intervention is potentially cost-effective, especially in countries with a high overweight and obesity prevalence, at a limited budget impact. The incremental financial investments to reach and support high -risk families did not result in the hoped-for health benefits
Cost-effectiveness analysis of a school- and community-based intervention to promote a healthy lifestyle and prevent type 2 diabetes in vulnerable families across Europe: the Feel4Diabetes-study
The Feel4Diabetes-study implemented a school- and community-based
intervention to promote healthy lifestyle and prevent type 2 diabetes
mellitus (T2DM) in six European countries. The intervention included a
special focus on families at increased T2DM risk. The current study
evaluates the intervention's cost-effectiveness. A Markov-type health
economic model was developed to predict the incidence of T2DM and its
complications. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (lifetime horizon,
societal perspective) were calculated based on the overall intervention
effect on health behaviour, and stratified for low- and high-risk
families. Sensitivity analyses captured input parameters uncertainty. A
budget impact analysis was performed. The increase in children's water
consumption and physical activity led to a modest gain in quality
adjusted life years (QALYs) at a low intervention cost and budget
impact. Medical cost savings due to avoided illness could only be
achieved on the very long-term (>30 years). The intervention in its
entirety was cost-effective (more QALYs at a reasonable investment) in
Belgium, Finland, Bulgaria, and Hungary, while being dominant (net
savings and more QALYs) in Greece and Spain. Results were cost-effective
for the low-risk families, who only received the school- and
community-based intervention component. Results for the high-risk
families were only cost-effective (with considerable uncertainty) in
Greece and Spain, but not when the intervention would need to be
repeated. The Feel4Diabetes-intervention is potentially cost-effective,
especially in countries with a high overweight and obesity prevalence,
at a limited budget impact. The incremental financial investments to
reach and support high -risk families did not result in the hoped-for
health benefits