Long-term effects of a primary weight gain prevention intervention among healthy weight obesity susceptible children. Results from the Healthy Start study.

INTRODUCTION: Primary prevention is a public health strategy that hitherto has not been widely applied in obesity prevention research. The objectives were to examine the long-term effects of the Healthy Start primary obesity prevention study, an intervention conducted among healthy weight children susceptible to develop obesity. METHODS: At baseline, children (2-6 years) were randomized allocated to the intervention group (n=271), the control group (n=272), or the shadow control group (n=383). Children in the shadow control group had no contact with project staff during the intervention period (1.3 years on average). The intervention was designed to deliver individually tailored improvements in diet and physical activity habits, optimization of sleep quantity and quality and reduce family stress. After the intervention was completed, height and weight at school entry was obtained from the Danish National Child Health Register when children were around 7 years. The average follow-up time was 2.7 years after baseline. Linear regression analyses on annual changes in BMI (ΔBMI) and BMI z-scores (ΔBMIz) were conducted. RESULTS: At mean 2.7 years after the baseline examination, no differences were observed between the intervention and control group in ΔBMI (ß=0.07 (-0.02;0.15), p=0.14) or ΔBMIz (ß=0.03 (-0.05;0,11), p=0.45). Likewise, no differences were observed between the intervention and shadow control group in ΔBMI (ß=-0.03 (-0.12;0.06), p=0.50) or in ΔBMIz (ß=-0.02 (-0.08;0.05), p=0.62). CONCLUSION: We are still in urgent need of more primary overweight prevention interventions to begin to understand how to prevent that healthy weight children develop overweight.

Does attendance in outdoor kindergartens reduce the use of antibiotics in children?

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine whether children enrolled in rural outdoor kindergartens had a lower risk of redeeming at least one prescription for antibiotics compared with children enrolled in urban conventional kindergartens, and if type of antibiotics prescribed differed according to kindergarten type. METHODS: Two Danish municipalities provided data including civil registration numbers from children enrolled in a rural outdoor kindergarten in 2011-2019, and a subsample of all children enrolled in urban conventional kindergartens in the same period. Civil registration numbers were linked to individual-level information on redeemed prescriptions for antibiotics from the Danish National Prescription Registry. Regression models were performed on 2132 children enrolled in outdoor kindergartens, and 2208 children enrolled in conventional kindergartens. RESULTS: There was no difference between groups in risk of redeeming at least one prescription for all types of antibiotics (adjusted risk ratio: 0.97 [95% confidence intervals 0.93, 1.02, p = 0.26]). Similarly, there were no differences between kindergarten type and risk of redeeming at least one prescription for systemic, narrow-spectrum systemic antibacterial, broad-spectrum systemic antibacterial or topical antibiotics. CONCLUSION: Compared with children who were enrolled in conventional kindergartens, children who were enrolled in outdoor kindergartens did not have a lower risk of redeeming prescriptions for any type of antibiotics.

Association between intake of marine fat and adiposity development among children ages 2 to 6 y: Substitution analyses from the Healthy Start intervention study.

OBJECTIVES: A few previous studies have described a potential role of Ω-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids from marine animals in obesity in children, but the results are conflicting. The objectives of this study were to examine if intake of marine fat was related to less gain in body mass index (BMI) and body fat (BF) over a 15-mo period among Danish children age 2 to 6 y, and if potential associations depended on which types of fatty acids were replaced. METHODS: A total of 355 children age 2 to 6 y were included in the study. Weight, height, and BF percentage (BF%) assessed by bioimpedance were measured by trained research personnel. Multivariable linear regression models were used to investigate associations between marine fat intake and changes in BMI or BF% over the subsequent 15 mo. To investigate substitution effects, we constructed regression models that included marine fat and all other energy yielding dietary components, except for the nutrient to be substituted for either all fats or specific subgroups (saturated, monounsaturated, or other polyunsaturated fatty acids). RESULTS: No significant associations were observed between intake of marine fat and development in BMI or BF% in any of the analyses, either with or without specified substitutions. Furthermore, the results were independent on whether intake was expressed in g/d or percentage of energy, and were not modified by age or BMI status. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that marine fat intake and fat composition in a diet may have little or no effect on weight and adiposity development among preschool-aged children.

"I would never be able to forgive myself if it ended up having consequences for the child": A qualitative study of perceptions of stress and worries among healthy first-time pregnant Danish women.

BACKGROUND: Becoming a mother is one of the most transitional experiences in life. It requires psychological, physical, and social adjustment and adaptation in various areas and can be conceived as both a stressful and joyful experience by many women. Especially, first-time pregnancies are recognised as a period of emotional sensitivity. Moreover, stress is a well-established risk factor for premature birth and low birth weight and might affect the health of the offspring. Thus, this study explores the perception of stress and worries in healthy Danish pregnant nulliparous women. METHODS: We used a qualitative, inductive, exploratory design. Three focus group interviews were conducted with 16 healthy pregnant nulliparous women. Data from the focus group interviews were analysed using content analysis according to Graneheim and Lundman. FINDINGS: Three main categories contributed to the core theme "Identity Limbo". The categories were: (1) The great responsibility, (2) Imagining picture-perfect, and (3) Two-in-one body. The participants expressed that holding on to their current identity was extremely important. They simultaneously tried to incorporate their new identity as mothers, which imposed sadness about saying goodbye to their old life, leaving them in an identity limbo. These women did not experience classic stressors such as bereavement, poverty, or trauma. Still, the great responsibility for the child's future, changes to their work and career, and saying goodbye to their pre-pregnancy identity were all essential contributors to feelings of stress in the women's current pregnancy and life. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the identity limbo triggered by pregnancy can make the transition to motherhood stressful for some women. Therefore, with the potentially severe consequences of stress in mind, developing tools that can help women and midwives focus on the mental transition of pregnancy is needed.

Effects of the healthy start randomized intervention on psychological stress and sleep habits among obesity-susceptible healthy weight children and their parents.

Poor sleep and psychological stress are obesity determinants that are rarely included in obesity prevention programs. The aim was to report the effects of the Healthy Start randomized intervention on the secondary outcomes psychological stress and sleep duration and onset latency. Data was obtained from the Healthy Start randomized intervention conducted in 2009-2012 among Danish healthy weight children aged 2-6 years, who had either a high birth weight (>4,000 g), high maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (>28 kg/m2), or low maternal educational level (≤10 years of schooling) and their parents. The intervention was designed to deliver improvements in diet and physical activity habits, optimization of sleep habits, and reduction of psychological family stress. The average intervention period was 15 months. Children with information on a 7-day sleep record, sleep onset latency, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and a modified version of Parenting Stress Index (PSI) were included. The effects of the intervention on sleep habits, PSI scores, SDQ Total Difficulties (SDQ-TD) and Pro-social Behavior scores, and 95% Confidence Intervals (95% CI) were analyzed using linear regression intention-to-treat (n = 543 (intervention group n = 271, control group n = 272)) analyses. No statistically significant effects on sleep duration, sleep onset latency, PSI score, or SDQ Pro-social Behavior score were observed. Values both before and after the intervention were within the normal range both for children in the intervention and children in the control group. Mean change in SDQ-TD was 0.09 points (95% CI -0.57;0.59) in the intervention group, and -0.69 points (95% CI -1.16; -0.23) in the control group (p = 0.06). In conclusion, there were no intervention effects in relation to sleep duration, sleep onset latency, PSI score, or SDQ Pro-social behavior. There was an indication that children in the intervention group had slightly more behavioral problems than the control group after the intervention, but values were within normal range both before and after the intervention, and the difference is not considered to be clinically meaningful.

Early Postpartum Stress, Anxiety, Depression, and Resilience Development among Danish First-Time Mothers before and during First-Wave COVID-19 Pandemic.

On 11 March 2020, a lockdown to limit the spread of COVID-19 was implemented in Denmark. The pandemic and the lockdown might have caused stress, depression, and anxiety in new mothers. Individuals with high resilience to stress may have been less affected. This study aimed to investigate if changes in perceived stress, anxiety, depression, and resilience from the second trimester until two months postpartum were different before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark in spring 2020. Pregnant women enrolled in an ongoing feasibility study completed an online questionnaire measuring perceived stress, depression, anxiety, and resilience in the second trimester and two months postpartum. Changes in scores between women completing the two-month postpartum questionnaire before (n = 26) or during (n = 47) the COVID-19 pandemic were calculated. No statistically significant differences in changes from baseline to follow-up between pre- and during-pandemic groups in Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS), or the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) were found. Adjusted differences in group means were as follows: PSS: 0.70 (CI-2.45; 3.85); DASS Stress: 0.76 (CI-3.59; 2.08); DASS Anxiety: 0.47 (CI-0.84; 1.77); DASS Depression: 0.88 (CI-0.95; 2.71); and CD-RISC: 1.19 (CI-3.16; 5.54). In conclusion, we did not find significant differences in the development of stress, depression, anxiety, or resilience before or during the Danish COVID-19 pandemic in spring 2020.

Longitudinal Associations between Intake of Fruit and Vegetables and Height Attainment from Preschool to School Entry.

To examine associations between fruit and vegetable intake in young childhood and height attainment during preschool and at school entry. Data for this study was based on "The Healthy Start" primary intervention study, which included 635 obesity-prone children, (58% boys), from the greater Copenhagen area, with a mean (SD) age of 4.0 (1.1) years (age range 2-6 years) at baseline. In the current study, 553 children (57% boys) were included with information on dietary intake at baseline and height measured at baseline (preschool age), and 511 children (56.8% boys) with the height measured at school entry (~6 years old). Height was measured by trained health professionals during the intervention and by school nurses at school entry. Information on intakes of fruit and vegetables, separately and combined, was gathered with four-day dietary records reported by parents. Participants were grouped into tertiles for their intakes at baseline. Compared to boys with low consumption, those with a moderate and high intakes of fruit and vegetables (F&V) had a greater attained height at preschool of 1.3 cm (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.3; 2.3) and at school entry of 2.4 cm (95% CI: 0.8; 3.9) and 1.8 cm (95% CI: 0.2; 3.4), respectively, also after adjustment for differences in age, body mass index (BMI), and total energy intake. Additional adjustment for mid-parental height and parents' education did not alter the significant associations between moderate consumption of F&V and attained height at preschool and school entry. There was no association among girls. Our results showed that a moderate consumption of F&V was directly associated with higher attainment in height at preschool and school entry in boys. From a public health perspective, it should be prioritized to continue developing intervention programs to improve fruit and vegetable intake.

Associations between Child Mental Well-Being or Conflicts during Mealtime and Picky Eating Behaviour.

Pickiness is an eating behavior that many families with young children face. Having joint family meals may impact the child's pickiness, for instance by influencing their willingness to try novel foods. Moreover, picky children have been shown to display greater emotionality. The aim of this study was to investigate if children's mental well-being and parent-reported conflicts during mealtime were associated with pickiness among obesity-prone children. Data was obtained from the baseline examination of the Healthy Start intervention study, the Danish Medical Birth registry and the Danish Health Visitor's Child Health Database, and included 635 children aged 2-6 years that were all at high risk for becoming overweight later in life. Children's mental well-being was measured by the strengths and difficulties questionnaire. Crude and adjusted ordinal logistic regressions were used to investigate the cross-sectional associations. Children had a higher odds associated with changing from a category of less pickiness to a category of more pickiness for each one point higher SDQ score (ORadj. = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.14; 1.61) and lower odds (ORadj. = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.38; 0.86) associated with changing pickiness category towards more pickiness for each one point higher SDQ prosocial score. Moreover, children with conflicts during mealtime had higher odds of being in a worse pickiness category compared to children without conflicts (ORadj. = 3.37, 95% CI = 2.27; 5.01). This study showed that among obesity-prone children, behavioral problems, as well as conflicts during mealtime, were associated with more picky behaviors. Further longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the findings, as are studies including general child population subsets.

Associations between Parental Stress and Subsequent Changes in Dietary Intake and Quality among Preschool Children Susceptible to Obesity.

BACKGROUND: Cross-sectional studies indicate that parental stress may be a barrier for healthy dietary behaviours among children. However, there is a lack of evidence from longitudinal studies on the association between parental stress and changes in dietary intake among toddlers. The aim of this study was to examine the association between parental stress and changes in dietary intake and quality among preschool children susceptible to obesity. METHODS: In the Healthy Start study, parents to 250 preschool children had completed a modified version of the Parental Stress Index and assessed the dietary intake of their children at baseline and after 15 months of follow up. The association between parental stress and changes in dietary intake and quality was examined using multiple linear regression analyses with adjustment for potential confounders. We tested for potential effect modification by group allocation and sex. RESULTS: There were no significant associations between parental stress and subsequent changes in child total energy intake, intake of macronutrients or intake of fruit, vegetables, sugar sweetened beverages, fish or starch, or dietary quality. CONCLUSION: This study provides no evidence to support an association between parental stress and subsequent change in dietary intake and quality of their children. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, Trial number: NCT01583335, Registered: 31 March 2012, retrospectively registered.

Primary prevention of fat and weight gain among obesity susceptible healthy weight preschool children. Main results from the "Healthy Start" randomized controlled intervention.

BACKGROUND: A vital public health challenge lies in understanding the primary drivers behind excessive weight gain among healthy weight individuals. OBJECTIVES: To examine if excessive weight and fat gain can be prevented among healthy weight, obesity susceptible children aged 2 to 6 years. METHODS: Eligible children were identified based on information on either a high birth weight, maternal pre-pregnancy obesity or maternal low educational level from national registries, and randomized into an intervention group, a control group and a shadow control group. All children with overweight at baseline were excluded from subsequent analysis (n = 196), while healthy weight children were included (n = 926). The intervention was designed to deliver improvements in diet and physical activity habits, optimization of sleep quantity and quality, and reduction of family stress. The average intervention period was 1.3 years. RESULTS: Intention-to-treat analyses indicated a lower gain in percentage fat mass and a higher gain in fat-free mass in the intervention group compared with the control group. However, the results should be interpreted with caution, as they were clinically small and borderline significant, only. CONCLUSION: This primary prevention intervention among young healthy weight children with susceptibility to future obesity had clinically small effects on growth and body composition. More interventions, conducting primary obesity prevention, are urgently needed.

Longitudinal association of nighttime sleep duration with emotional and behavioral problems in early childhood: results from the Danish Healthy Start Study.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To examine the longitudinal and bidirectional association between nighttime sleep duration and emotional and behavioral problems (EBPs) over 15 months among preschool children. METHODS: Data of children aged 2 to 6 years from the control group of the Danish Healthy Start Study, a 15-month obesity prevention intervention, were used. Nighttime sleep duration was measured using a 7-day sleep record. EBPs were assessed by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire Total Difficulties (SDQ-TD) score and Prosocial Behavior (SDQ-PSB) score. Multivariable regression models were conducted to examine the bidirectional associations between changes in nighttime sleep duration and SDQ scores. RESULTS: With adjustment for child, family factors, and parental stress level, every hour extra nighttime sleep at baseline was associated with a 1.02 decrease in SDQ-TD score and 77% lower odds of having an abnormal SDQ-TD score (≥90th percentile) at the follow-up (p = 0.01). Children who increased their nighttime sleep duration over the 15-month demonstrated a similar concurrent reduction in SDQ-TD score (ß = -1.28, p = 0.02) compared with those who decreased or had no change in nighttime sleep duration. After additional adjustment for sleep problem and habit variables, the significant associations remained. No associations were found between nighttime sleep duration and SDQ-PSB scores. Examination of SDQ scores as predictors of subsequent changes in nighttime sleep duration showed no significant associations. CONCLUSIONS: Among preschool children, longer nighttime sleep duration was associated with a decline in EBPs, but not vice versa. Our study provides new longitudinal evidence to support sleep interventions to improve EBPs in early childhood.Clinical trials: The Healthy Start Study: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01583335Trial registration: ID NCT01583335.

Longitudinal associations between body composition and regional fat distribution and later attained height at school entry among preschool children predisposed to overweight.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: To investigate the associations between indicators of obesity and fat distribution, such as body mass index (BMI), fat mass, and skinfold measures during preschool age, and attained height at school entry. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The Healthy Start primary intervention study comprised 1100 obesity-prone preschool children from the greater Copenhagen area, with a mean [standard deviation (SD)] age of 4.0 (1.1) years at baseline. Anthropometry was measured by trained health professionals at baseline (preschool age) and follow-up height at school entry was gathered by school nurses. Prospective associations between body fat measures and later attained height were examined using generalized linear models with adjustments for potential confounders. RESULTS: Greater adiposity at preschool age was directly associated with a higher attained height at follow-up at school-age, when adjusting for confounders. A baseline difference of one BMI unit was associated with a greater attained height of 0.8 cm [(95% confidence interval (CI) 0.5; 1.2]. Furthermore, a difference of 1 mm in the sum of four skinfolds measured at baseline was associated with a greater attained height of 0.1 cm (95% CI 0.03; 0.2) at follow-up. Children with overweight or obesity at baseline attained a significantly higher height of 2.9 (95% CI 1.6; 4.1) cm at follow-up after full adjustment than normal weight children. CONCLUSIONS: Our results supports that greater adiposity at preschool age is associated with greater tallness. Although a greater height is assumed to be desirable, accelerated growth in childhood may in itself be a risk factor for obesity later in life.

Associations between maternal stress during pregnancy and offspring obesity risk later in life-A systematic literature review.

Exposure to prenatal stress is linked to health consequences in the offspring. The objective of this systematic review was to synthesize and critically appraise primary human studies that have examined the association between prenatal exposure to psychosocial stress, or adverse life events, stress hormones, and later risk of developing obesity. We searched Medline, Embase, ScienceDirect, WorldCat, and OpenGrey up to January 2019 to identify relevant literature. We critically appraised the identified studies, assessed their quality, and summarized their findings. From a total of 5930 search results and references of studies that authors considered pertinent, we identified 15 relevant studies among which three were of high quality and the rest were medium-quality studies. We found direct association between exposure to stress in fetal life and different measures of obesity in the offspring in eight studies. The direct association was usually observed in studies that involved measurement of stress among mothers exposed to natural disasters. Due to lack of adequate and comparable data from the included studies, we did not conduct a meta-analysis. We concluded that there may be direct association between prenatal stress and later obesity, but further research with more comparable sources of stressors is recommended.

Joining Parents' Bed at Night and Overweight among 2- to 6-Year-Old Children - Results from the 'Healthy Start' Randomized Intervention.

OBJECTIVE: Parental and child co-sleeping has been suggested as a risk factor for short sleep duration and poor sleep quality that may lead to overweight. We examined if joining parent's bed during night was associated with child overweight. METHODS: Cross-sectional data from the 'Healthy Start' study including 635 2- to 6-year-old Danish children, who were all considered obesity prone. Of these, 496 children had complete information on BMI and whether the child joined parents' bed during night and if so, how frequently. International cut-offs for overweight according to age and gender were applied, and logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratio (OR) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI). Analyses were adjusted for the child's age and gender, overall family stress, parental educational level, and parental BMI. RESULTS: Children who did not join their parent's bed were more likely to be overweight compared to children who did (OR 1.75 (95% CI 0.99-3.10)). Children who rarely joined their parents' bed had OR 2.74 of being overweight (95% CI 1.01-7.44) compared to children who joined every night. CONCLUSION: Children who rarely joined parents' bed during night were almost three times more likely to be overweight than those who joined every night.

Duration of exclusive breastfeeding may be related to eating behaviour and dietary intake in obesity prone normal weight young children.

Infants who are breastfed are introduced to a variety of flavours from the maternal milk, and thus the transition from maternal milk to complementary foods may be easier for these children. The aim of this study was to investigate if duration of exclusive breastfeeding was associated with pickiness or dietary intake of vegetables, fruit, starchy foods or sugar sweetened beverages among obesity prone normal weight children aged 2-6 years. This cohort study was based on data from the Healthy Start primary intervention study, the Danish Medical Birth registry and the Danish Health Visitor's Child Health Database. Infant feeding was registered by health nurses while home-visiting the mother and child up to four times within the first year. Information on eating behaviour and diet intake at age 2-6 years was obtained by parents. Crude and adjusted logistic and general linear regression models were used to investigate associations. A total of 236 children had complete information on all variables. Data showed lower odds of picky eating behaviour when exclusively breastfed until age 4-5 months compared to exclusively breastfed for 0-1 months (OR = 0.35, 95CI = 0.16;0.76, p = 0.008). In the crude analysis only, exclusively breastfed until age 6-10 months was associated with a higher daily intake of vegetables (p = 0.04). This study suggests that exclusive breastfeeding duration seems to influence pickiness and may contribute to facilitate the consumption of more vegetables in later childhood in obesity prone normal weight children.

Effects of the Healthy Start randomized intervention trial on physical activity among normal weight preschool children predisposed to overweight and obesity.

BACKGROUND: There is limited evidence to support the effectiveness of primary interventions aiming to prevent excess weight gain among young children. Evaluating behavioral changes, such as physical activity (PA), may add to future development of efficient interventions. The objective was to evaluate the effect on PA outcomes of the 15 month Healthy Start intervention that focused on changing diet, PA, sleep and stress management among normal weight but obesity-prone preschool children. Children were defined as obesity-prone if they had a birth weight > 4,000 g, mothers with a pre-pregnancy body mass index of > 28 kg/m2, or mothers with ≤ 10 years of schooling. METHOD: From a baseline study population of 635 normal weight 2-6 year old preschool children from the greater Copenhagen area, parents of 307 children had given information on PA at both the baseline and follow-up examinations. PA was obtained from a 7 days recording in the Children's Physical Activity Questionnaire. Time used for sport activities were combined with outdoor playing time to achieve a proxy of total PA level of moderate to vigorous intensity. RESULTS: Linear regression analyses revealed that at follow-up the intervention group spent more time on sports and outdoor activities combined per week than the control group (ITT analyses: intervention: 400 min/week; 95% confidence interval (CI): 341, 459 versus control: 321 min/week; 95% CI: 277, 366; p = 0.02), although no significant intervention effects were seen for each of the subcategories, e.g. sports participation, outdoor activities, screen time, or commuting frequency. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the overall time spent on sports and outdoor activities combined was increased at follow-up among normal weight obesity-prone children, as a result of the Healthy Start intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01583335.

Relationship between pickiness and subsequent development in body mass index and diet intake in obesity prone normal weight preschool children.

BACKGROUND: Most children have periods in their life where they reject familiar as well as non-familiar food items and this is often referred to as pickiness. The consequences of pickiness may be malnutrition and, if prolonged, potentially lower body weight. However, studies investigating the consequence of pickiness on subsequent changes in diet intake and weight are limited. OBJECTIVES: To examine whether pickiness influences body mass index as well as diet intake over subsequent 15 months among obesity prone normal weight children aged 2-6 years. METHODS: Data was obtained from the "Healthy Start" intervention study which included 271 children aged 2-6 years susceptible to overweight later in life. Information on pickiness was obtained from a parental questionnaire. Dietary habits were collected by 4-day dietary records filled in by the parents and height and weight were measured by trained health professionals and both measured twice over a 15 month period. Linear regression models were performed to assess the influence of pickiness on body mass index and diet with adjustments for possible confounders. RESULTS: No differences in mean BMI Z-score were seen between picky/non-picky (P = 0.68) and little picky/non-picky (P = 0.68) children at 15 month follow-up. Picky children had a lower intake of protein (P = 0.01) than non-picky children despite no differences in total energy intake (P = 0.74), or in the other macronutrients, or the intake of fruit and vegetables, though children being a little picky had a lower intake of starch compared to non-picky children (P = 0.05). Results were essentially similar before and after adjustment for key covariates. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that BMI Z-score after 15 months follow-up was similar for picky and non-picky children. Picky children seemed to develop a lower protein intake despite similar total energy intake and diet composition.

Replacing sugary drinks with milk is inversely associated with weight gain among young obesity-predisposed children.

The aim of the present study was to examine the associations of sugary drink consumption and its substitution with alternative beverages with body weight gain among young children predisposed to future weight gain. Secondary analysis of the Healthy Start Study, a 1·5-year randomised controlled trial designed to prevent overweight among Danish children aged 2-6 years (n 366), was carried out. Multivariate linear regression models were used to investigate the associations of beverage consumption with change in body weight (Δweight) or BMI(ΔBMI) z-score. Substitution models were used to extrapolate the influence of replacing sugary drinks with alternative beverages (water, milk and diet drinks) on Δweight or ΔBMI z-score. Sugary drink intake at baseline and substitution of sugary drinks with milk were associated with both Δweight and ΔBMI z-score. Every 100 g/d increase in sugary drink intake was associated with 0·10 kg and 0·06 unit increases in body weight (P=0·048) and BMI z-score (P=0·04), respectively. Substitution of 100 g/d sugary drinks with 100 g/d milk was inversely associated with Δweight (ß=-0·16 kg; P=0·045) and ΔBMI z-score (ß=-0·07 units; P=0·04). The results of this study suggest that sugary drink consumption was associated with body weight gain among young children with high predisposition for future overweight. In line with the current recommendations, sugary drinks, whether high in added or natural sugar, should be discouraged to help prevent childhood obesity. Milk may be a good alternative to sugary drinks with regard to weight management among young obesity-predisposed children.

Substituting sugar-sweetened beverages with water or milk is inversely associated with body fatness development from childhood to adolescence.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the association between different types of beverage intake and substitution of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) by water, milk, or 100% fruit juice in relation to 6-y change in body fatness. METHODS: A cohort of 9-y-old children (N = 358) who participated in the Danish part of the European Youth Heart Study was followed for development of body fatness over 6 y. Multivariate linear regression was used to examine the associations between beverage intake at baseline and change in body fatness (body mass index z score [BMIz]), waist circumference (WC), and sum of four skinfolds (Σ4SF) over 6 y with adjustment for potential confounders. Substitution models were used to evaluate various beverages as alternatives to SSBs. RESULTS: SSB intake at age 9 y, but not intake of other beverages, was directly associated with subsequent 6-y changes in BMIz (ß = 0.05; P = 0.02) and Σ4SF (ß = 0.86; P = 0.02). Daily substitution of 100 g water for 100 g SSB was inversely associated with changes in BMIz (ß = -0.04; P = 0.02), WC (ß =-0.29; P = 0.04), and Σ4SF (ß = -0.91; P = 0.02) over 6 y. Daily substitution of 100 g milk for 100 g SSB was also inversely associated with changes in BMIz (ß = -0.05; P = 0.02), WC (ß = -0.33; P = 0.046), and Σ4SF (ß = -0.79; P = 0.06). No effect was observed for substitution of SSB by 100% fruit juice. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that SSB intake is associated with long-term changes in body fatness in children, and replacing SSBs with water or milk, but not 100% fruit juice, is inversely associated with body fatness development.

The Healthy Start project: a randomized, controlled intervention to prevent overweight among normal weight, preschool children at high risk of future overweight.

BACKGROUND: Research shows that obesity prevention has to start early. Targeting interventions towards subgroups of individuals who are predisposed, but yet normal weight, may prove more effective in preventing overweight than interventions towards unselected normal weight subsets. Finally, interventions focused on other factors than diet and activity are lacking. The objectives were to perform a randomized, controlled intervention aiming at preventing overweight in children aged 2-6 years, who are yet normal weight, but have high predisposition for future overweight, and to intervene not only by improving diet and physical activity, but also reduce stress and improve sleep quality and quantity. METHODS/DESIGN: Based on information from the Danish National Birth Registry and administrative birth forms, children were selected based on having either a high birth weight, a mother who was overweight prior to pregnancy, or a familial low socioeconomic status. Selected children (n = 5,902) were randomized into three groups; an intervention group, a shadow control group followed in registers exclusively, and a control group examined at the beginning and at the end of the intervention. Approximately 21% agreed to participate. Children who presented as overweight prior to the intervention were excluded from this study (n = 92). In the intervention group, 271 children were included, and in the control group 272 were included. Information obtained from the shadow control group is on-going, but it is estimated that 394 children will be included. The intervention took place over on average 1½ year between 2009 and 2011, and consisted of optional individual guidance in optimizing diet and physical activity habits, reducing chronic stress and stressful events and improving sleep quality and quantity. The intervention also included participation in cooking classes and play arrangements. Information on dietary intake, meal habits, physical activity, sleep habits, and overall stress level was obtained by 4-7 day questionnaire diaries and objective measurements. DISCUSSION: If the Healthy Start project is effective in preventing excessive weight gain, it will provide valuable information on new determinants of obesity which should be considered in future interventions, and on new strategies to prevent development of overweight and obesity at an early age.