Randomised controlled trial of the MEND programme: a family-based community intervention for childhood obesity

Background and aims Childhood obesity is a serious global public health issue. The number of children affected has increased dramatically in recent years, and despite extensive research in this field, no effective generalisable prevention or treatment interventions have been achieved as yet. The aim of this randomised controlled trial (RCT) was to evaluate the efficacy of the Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do it (MEND) programme, a multicomponent communitybased childhood obesity intervention. Methods One hundred and seventeen obese children were randomly assigned to intervention or waiting list control (6-month delayed intervention) groups. Parents and children attended eighteen 2-hour group educational and physical activity sessions held twice weekly in sports centres and schools, followed by provision of a 12-week free family swimming pass. Waist circumference, BMI, body composition, physical activity level, sedentary activities, cardiovascular fitness and self-esteem were assessed at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Results Participants in the intervention group exhibited reduced waist circumference z-score (−0.37; p < 0.0001, n = 81) and BMI z-score (−0.24; p < 0.0001, n = 82) at 6 months, compared to the control subjects. Significant between-group differences were additionally observed in cardiovascular fitness, physical activity, sedentary behaviours, and self-esteem. Mean attendance for the MEND programme was 86%, with a drop-out rate of 4%. At 12 months waist and BMI z-scores of children in the intervention group were reduced by 0.47 (p < 0.0001) and 0.23 (p < 0.0001), respectively, along with sustained benefits in cardiovascular fitness, physical activity levels, and self-esteem. Conclusions The MEND programme had beneficial effects on physical and psychological outcomes (anthropometry, cardiovascular fitness, physical activity habits, self-esteem), which were sustained at 12 months from baseline. The high attendance and low drop-out rates suggest that families found this intensive community-based intervention acceptable. Further studies are currently underway to confirm the promising findings of this trial

Assessing the short-term outcomes of a community-based intervention for overweight and obese children: The MEND 5-7 programme

Objective The aim of this study was to report outcomes of the UK service level delivery of MEND (Mind,Exercise,Nutrition...Do it!) 5-7, a multicomponent, community-based, healthy lifestyle intervention designed for overweight and obese children aged 5–7 years and their families. Design Repeated measures. Setting Community venues at 37 locations across the UK. Participants 440 overweight or obese children (42% boys; mean age 6.1 years; body mass index (BMI) z-score 2.86) and their parents/carers participated in the intervention. Intervention MEND 5-7 is a 10-week, family-based, child weight-management intervention consisting of weekly group sessions. It includes positive parenting, active play, nutrition education and behaviour change strategies. The intervention is designed to be scalable and delivered by a range of health and social care professionals. Primary and secondary outcome measures The primary outcome was BMI z-score. Secondary outcome measures included BMI, waist circumference, waist circumference z-score, children's psychological symptoms, parenting self-efficacy, physical activity and sedentary behaviours and the proportion of parents and children eating five or more portions of fruit and vegetables. Results 274 (62%) children were measured preintervention and post-intervention (baseline; 10-weeks). Post-intervention, mean BMI and waist circumference decreased by 0.5 kg/m2 and 0.9 cm, while z-scores decreased by 0.20 and 0.20, respectively (p<0.0001). Improvements were found in children's psychological symptoms (−1.6 units, p<0.0001), parent self-efficacy (p<0.0001), physical activity (+2.9 h/week, p<0.01), sedentary activities (−4.1 h/week, p<0.0001) and the proportion of parents and children eating five or more portions of fruit and vegetables per day (both p<0.0001). Attendance at the 10 sessions was 73% with a 70% retention rate. Conclusions Participation in the MEND 5-7 programme was associated with beneficial changes in physical, behavioural and psychological outcomes for children with complete sets of measurement data, when implemented in UK community settings under service level conditions. Further investigation is warranted to establish if these findings are replicable under controlled conditions

Is BMI alone a sufficient outcome to evaluate interventions for child obesity?

BACKGROUND: BMI is often used to evaluate the effectiveness of childhood obesity interventions, but such interventions may have additional benefits independent of effects on adiposity. We investigated whether benefits to health outcomes following the Mind, Exercise, Nutrition…Do It! (MEND) childhood obesity intervention were independent of or associated with changes in zBMI. METHODS: A total of 79 obese children were measured at baseline; 71 and 42 participants were followed-up at 6 and 12 months respectively, and split into four groups depending on magnitude of change in zBMI. Differences between groups for waist circumference, cardiovascular fitness, physical and sedentary activities, and self-esteem were investigated. RESULTS: Apart from waist circumference and its z-score, there were no differences or trends across zBMI subgroups for any outcome. Independent of the degree of zBMI change, benefits in several parameters were observed in children participating in this obesity intervention. CONCLUSION: We concluded that isolating a single parameter like zBMI change and neglecting other important outcomes is restrictive and may undermine the evaluation of childhood obesity intervention effectiveness

Long-Term Outcomes following the MEND 7-13 Child Weight Management Program.

Background: In the current study, we report outcomes 2.4 years from baseline in a random subsample of overweight and obese children who attended MEND 7-13 programs delivered in UK community settings under service level conditions. Methods: The study employed an uncontrolled pre-follow-up design. A total of 165 children were measured. Outcomes included anthropometry, parental perception of emotional distress, body esteem, and self-esteem. Results: Overall, there were significant improvements in all outcomes apart from BMI z-score. In boys, BMI z-score, waist circumference z-score, and psychometrics all improved. In girls, there were no statistically significant differences at 2.4 years, except for body esteem. Conclusions: In real-world settings, the MEND intervention, when delivered by nonspecialists, may result in modest, yet positive, long-term outcomes. Subsequent research should focus on improving the outcome effect size, providing effective behavior change maintenance strategies, and further investigating the reasons behind the observed gender differences

Addressing childhood obesity in low-income, ethnically diverse families: outcomes and peer effects of MEND 7–13 when delivered at scale in US communities

Objectives: Implementation of a large-scale, child weight management program in underserved communities provided an important opportunity to evaluate its effectiveness under service level conditions. Methods: MEND 7–13 is a community-based, multicomponent, childhood obesity intervention designed to improve dietary, physical activity and sedentary behaviors. It comprises twice weekly sessions for 10 consecutive weeks (total of 35 contact hours) and is delivered to groups of children and their accompanying parents/caregivers. The current evaluation used an uncontrolled, repeated measures design. 4,324 children attended 415 MEND 7–13 programs in seven USA states, of which 2,738 (63%) had complete data for change in zBMI. The intervention targeted underserved families (70% with an income <$40,000 per year; 85.6% Hispanic or African American). Changes in anthropometric, fitness and psychological outcomes were evaluated. A longitudinal multivariate imputation model was used to impute missing data. Peer effects analysis was conducted using the instrumental variables approach and group fixed effects. Results: Mean changes in BMI, and zBMI at 10 weeks were -0.42 kg/m2 (95%CI: -0.49, -0.35) and -0.06 (95%CI: -0.08, -0.04) respectively. Benefits were observed for all other study outcomes. Mean peer reduction in zBMI was associated with a reduction in participant zBMI in the instrumental variables model (B=0.78, p=0.04, 95%CI: 0.03, 1.53). Mean program attendance and retention were 70.8% and 84.7% respectively. Conclusion: Similar to recently published efficacy trial results, implementing MEND 7–13 under service level conditions was associated with short-term improvements in anthropometric, fitness and psychological indices in a large sample of underserved overweight and obese children. A peer effect was quantified showing that benefits for an individual child were enhanced if peers in the same group also performed well. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show positive peer effects associated with participation in a childhood obesity intervention

From trial to population: A study of a family-based community intervention for childhood overweight implemented at scale

To assess how outcomes associated with participation in a family-based weight management intervention (MEND 7–13, Mind, Exercise, Nutrition..Do it!) for childhood overweight or obesity implemented at scale in the community vary by child, family, neighbourhood and MEND programme characteristics

TRAPPC4-ERK2 Interaction Activates ERK1/2, Modulates Its Nuclear Localization and Regulates Proliferation and Apoptosis of Colorectal Cancer Cells

The trafficking protein particle complex 4 (TRAPPC4) is implicated in vesicle-mediated transport, but its association with disease has rarely been reported. We explored its potential interaction with ERK2, part of the ERK1/2 complex in the Extracellular Signal-regulated Kinase/ Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase (ERK-MAPK) pathway, by a yeast two-hybrid screen and confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) pull-down. Further investigation found that when TRAPPC4 was depleted, activated ERK1/2 specifically decreased in the nucleus, which was accompanied with cell growth suppression and apoptosis in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. Overexpression of TRAPPC4 promoted cell viability and caused activated ERK1/2 to increase overall, but especially in the nucleus. TRAPPC4 was expressed more highly in the nucleus of CRC cells than in normal colonic epithelium or adenoma which corresponded with nuclear staining of pERK1/2. We demonstrate here that TRAPPC4 may regulate cell proliferation and apoptosis in CRC by interaction with ERK2 and subsequently phosphorylating ERK1/2 as well as modulating the subcellular location of pERK1/2 to activate the relevant signaling pathway

An exploration of lifestyle beliefs and lifestyle behaviour following stroke: findings from a focus group study of patients and family members

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Stroke is a major cause of disability and family disruption and carries a high risk of recurrence. Lifestyle factors that increase the risk of recurrence include smoking, unhealthy diet, excessive alcohol consumption and physical inactivity. Guidelines recommend that secondary prevention interventions, which include the active provision of lifestyle information, should be initiated in hospital, and continued by community-based healthcare professionals (HCPs) following discharge. However, stroke patients report receiving little/no lifestyle information.</p> <p>There is a limited evidence-base to guide the development and delivery of effective secondary prevention lifestyle interventions in the stroke field. This study, which was underpinned by the Theory of Planned Behaviour, sought to explore the beliefs and perceptions of patients and family members regarding the provision of lifestyle information following stroke. We also explored the influence of beliefs and attitudes on behaviour. We believe that an understanding of these issues is required to inform the content and delivery of effective secondary prevention lifestyle interventions.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We used purposive sampling to recruit participants through voluntary sector organizations (29 patients, including 7 with aphasia; 20 family members). Using focus group methods, data were collected in four regions of Scotland (8 group discussions) and were analysed thematically.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Although many participants initially reported receiving no lifestyle information, further exploration revealed that most had received written information. However, it was often provided when people were not receptive, there was no verbal reinforcement, and family members were rarely involved, even when the patient had aphasia. Participants believed that information and advice regarding healthy lifestyle behaviour was often confusing and contradictory and that this influenced their behavioural intentions. Family members and peers exerted both positive and negative influences on behavioural patterns. The influence of HCPs was rarely mentioned. Participants' sense of control over lifestyle issues was influenced by the effects of stroke (e.g. depression, reduced mobility) and access to appropriate resources.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>For secondary prevention interventions to be effective, HCPs must understand psychological processes and influences, and use appropriate behaviour change theories to inform their content and delivery. Primary care professionals have a key role to play in the delivery of lifestyle interventions.</p