| 1. |
- Alexandrou, Christina, et al.
(author)
-
Effectiveness of a Smartphone App (MINISTOP 2.0) integrated in primary child health care to promote healthy diet and physical activity behaviors and prevent obesity in preschool-aged children: randomized controlled trial
- 2023
-
In: International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. - : BMC. - 1479-5868. ; 20:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background:Childhood overweight and obesity is a public health priority. We have previously reported the efficacy of a parent-oriented mobile health (mHealth) app-based intervention (MINISTOP 1.0) which showed improvements in healthy lifestyle behaviors. However, the effectiveness of the MINISTOP app in real-world conditions needs to be established. Objective:To evaluate the real-world effectiveness of a 6-month mHealth intervention (MINISTOP 2.0 app) on childrens intake of fruits, vegetables, sweet and savory treats, sweet drinks, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and screen time (primary outcomes), and on parental self-efficacy (PSE) for promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors, and childrens body mass index (BMI) (secondary outcomes). Methods:A hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation design was utilized. For the effectiveness outcomes, a two-arm, individually randomized controlled trial was conducted. Parents (n = 552) of 2.5-to-3-year-old children were recruited from 19 child health care centers across Sweden, and, randomized to either a control (standard care) or intervention group (MINISTOP 2.0 app). The 2.0 version was adapted and translated into English, Somali and Arabic to increase reach. All recruitment and data collection were conducted by the nurses. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and after six months, using standardized measures (BMI) and a questionnaire (health behaviors, PSE). Results:Among the participating parents (n = 552, age: 34.1 +/- 5.0 years), 79% were mothers and 62% had a university degree. Twenty-four percent (n = 132) of children had two foreign-born parents. At follow-up, parents in the intervention group reported lower intakes of sweet and savory treats (-6.97 g/day; p = 0.001), sweet drinks (-31.52 g/day; p < 0.001), and screen time (-7.00 min/day; p = 0.012) in their children compared to the control group. The intervention group reported higher total PSE (0.91; p = 0.006), PSE for promoting healthy diet (0.34; p = 0.008) and PSE for promoting physical activity behaviors (0.31; p = 0.009) compared to controls. No statistically significant effect was observed for childrens BMI z-score. Overall, parents reported high satisfaction with the app, and 54% reported using the app at least once a week. Conclusion:Children in the intervention group had lower intakes of sweet and savory treats, sweet drinks, less screen time (primary outcomes) and their parents reported higher PSE for promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors. Our results from this real-world effectiveness trial support the implementation of the MINISTOP 2.0 app within Swedish child health care.
|
|
| 2. |
- Delisle Nystrom, Christine, et al.
(author)
-
International Study of Movement Behaviors in the Early Years (SUNRISE): Results from SUNRISE Swedens Pilot and COVID-19 Study
- 2020
-
In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. - : MDPI. - 1661-7827 .- 1660-4601. ; 17:22
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The International Study of Movement Behaviors in the Early Years (SUNRISE) was initiated in response to the 2019 WHO guidelines for physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep in children aged 0-5 years. This Swedish pilot study aimed to: (i) assess the proportion of preschoolers meeting the guidelines, (ii) evaluate the feasibility of the methods for the SUNRISE study, and (iii) assess how movement behaviors have been affected in preschoolers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Physical activity and sleep (waist-worn ActiGraph); screen time and movement behaviors (parental questionnaire); motor skills (Ages and Stages Questionnaire); and executive functions (3 iPad games) were assessed in 100 Swedish preschoolers (n = 58 boys). There were 19.4% of preschoolers (n = 14) who met the WHO guidelines. The motor skill and executive function assessments were feasible; however, 20% refused to wear the ActiGraph overnight. Additionally, during the pandemic Swedish childrens physical activity, time spent outside on weekdays and weekend days, and screen time significantly increased (+53; +124; +68; +30min/day, respectively, all p-values <= 0.001). Methods for the SUNRISE study were feasible in a Swedish context; however, considerations to switch to a wrist-worn accelerometer should be made. Furthermore, childrens physical activity increased during the pandemic, which is likely due to how the rules/restrictions were implemented in Sweden.
|
|
| 3. |
- Flor-Alemany, Marta, et al.
(author)
-
Mediterranean Diet Adherence and Health-Related Quality of Life during Pregnancy: Is the Mediterranean Diet Beneficial in Non-Mediterranean Countries?
- 2024
-
In: Nutrients. - : MDPI. - 2072-6643. ; 16:5
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This study aimed to examine the association of Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence and MD components with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in pregnant women from Spain and Sweden. A total of 138 pregnant women from Spain (age: 32.9 +/- 4.6 years old) and 302 pregnant women from Sweden (age: 31.3 +/- 4.1 years old) were included. MD adherence was assessed with the Mediterranean food pattern (i.e., a MD index) at the 14-16th gestational weeks. HRQoL was assessed with the Spanish and Swedish versions of the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36 and RAND-36, respectively) at the 14-16th and 34-37th gestational weeks. A greater MD adherence was associated with better physical functioning, bodily pain, vitality, emotional role, and mental health in cross-sectional associations (2nd trimester) in the Spanish sample (all p < 0.05). Furthermore, a greater MD adherence was associated with lower bodily pain in both Spanish and Swedish samples (both p < 0.05) in the 3rd trimester. The associations of MD adherence with pain seem to be explained by a greater intake of fiber, fish, fruits, nuts, and legumes (all p < 0.05). A greater MD adherence, driven by a higher intake of fiber, fish, fruits, nuts, and legumes, was associated with lower pain throughout pregnancy in both Mediterranean and non-Mediterranean populations.
|
|
| 4. |
- Henriksson, Hanna, et al.
(author)
-
MINISTOP 2.0: a smartphone app integrated in primary child health care to promote healthy diet and physical activity behaviours and prevent obesity in preschool-aged children: protocol for a hybrid design effectiveness-implementation study
- 2020
-
In: BMC Public Health. - : BMC. - 1471-2458. ; 20:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BackgroundChildhood obesity is still a major health problem in many countries, including Sweden. Childhood obesity and obesity-related behaviours in childhood, such as low physical activity and unhealthy eating habits, tend to track into adulthood, which highlights the need for early prevention. Our aims are to evaluate whether a parent-oriented mobile health app (the MINISTOP 2.0 app) integrated into primary child health care can improve diet and physical activity behaviours and reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity in preschool-aged children as well as to evaluate the implementation among child health care nurses and parents.MethodsThis trial uses a hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation design. Families (n=500) who attend a routine visit to one of 15-20 primary child health care centres throughout Sweden, when their child is 2.5years, are offered participation in a randomised controlled trial (effectiveness evaluation). After acceptance, families will be randomised (1:1) to control or intervention groups. The intervention group receives a 6-month parent-oriented smartphone intervention aimed at improving the dietary and activity behaviours of their child (the MINISTOP 2.0 app) and the control group receives routine child health care. Dietary habits, physical activity and screen time (primary outcomes), body weight and height in children, and parental self-efficacy (secondary outcomes) are measured at baseline and at 6months post randomisation. Implementation outcomes (i.e. perceived acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility) of the intervention will be assessed among primary child health care nurses and parents in the trial through questionnaires and qualitative interviews.DiscussionThis trial will evaluate whether the MINISTOP 2.0 app can be used in primary child health care to improve diet and physical activity behaviours, and prevent overweight and obesity, in preschool-aged children. If effectiveness is proven, and the MINISTOP 2.0 app is considered acceptable, appropriate and feasible, it can be implemented nationally as part of the preventive strategies to combat childhood obesity provided by routine child health care.Trial registrationThe trial was registered at the Clinicaltrials.gov register platform (ID NCT04147039) on 31 October 2019.
|
|
| 5. |
- Henstrom, Maria, et al.
(author)
-
The Need for an Evidence-Based Program in Sweden to Support Parents to Create Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors from the Start of Life-Parental Perceptions
- 2020
-
In: Nutrients. - : MDPI. - 2072-6643. ; 12:12
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In Sweden, there have been no interventions promoting the development of healthy lifestyle behaviors starting in infancy. Thus this paper aims to: (i) investigate Swedish parents experiences regarding feeding of solid foods, screen time, and physical activity in healthy infants; (ii) investigate parents needs and perceptions regarding information/support provided in primary child healthcare (CHC) and (iii) explore whether a parenting program focused on child diet and active play would be relevant and utilized. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 parents. These were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis. Seven themes emerged: Feeling excited to enter a new phase; Parents responsibility of doing it "right" can be stressful; Motivated to learn during specific time windows; Information to trust; The importance of social support from peers; Experiences of support received from CHC; and the Infant, Feeding, Activity, and Nutrition Trial (INFANT) for a Swedish context. Parents were excited to enter new phases in their childs development. However, this came with worry they were doing things "right", leading parents to want more information/support. Overall, Swedish parents were very positive about the prospects of engaging in a primary CHC delivered program to support them to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors from birth and felt this could complement the care currently provided.
|
|
| 6. |
- Lundgren, Oskar, et al.
(author)
-
Hyperactivity in preschool age is associated with higher fat-free mass and healthy lifestyle behaviours five years later: A longitudinal study of Swedish children
- 2023
-
In: Pediatric Obesity. - : WILEY. - 2047-6302 .- 2047-6310.
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BackgroundThere is evidence for a link between hyperactivity and obesity, especially among older children. Both conditions seem to be multifactorial in origin and hypotheses of common underlying issues, such as emotional dysregulation, have been suggested. However, studies of the co-occurrence of the two conditions in younger age groups have been inconclusive.ObjectivesWe aimed to study the longitudinal associations of psychological strengths and difficulties at 4 years of age with health behaviours, body composition, physical fitness, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors 5 years later.MethodsParents of 226 4-year-old children filled out the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). At 9 years of age, we assessed health behaviours, physical fitness, body composition, and CVD risk factors. Associations were examined with linear regression models that were adjusted for sex, age of the child at 9, and maternal education.ResultsIn the adjusted models, hyperactivity at 4 was associated with higher fat-free mass (beta = 0.18, p = 0.007) and lower levels of sedentary behaviour (beta -0.14, p = 0.043) at 9 years. Furthermore, greater emotional problems at 4 were associated with lower intake of fruit and vegetables (beta -0.14, p = 0.038) at 9 years. However, there were no statistically significant associations between psychological difficulties and fat-mass index.ConclusionsOur novel data provide no evidence of an association between hyperactivity in preschool age and obesity or obesity-related behaviours in school age. Future studies examining how psychological factors relate to obesity development should consider a developmental perspective.
|
|
