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Purpose: To examine the ability of the SenseWear Pro2 Armband (SWA) to accurately assess energy expenditure in free-living overweight or obese children during a two-week period, by comparison with energy expenditure measured using the doubly labeled water (DLW) method. A second aim was to examine which software version, Innerview Professional 5.1 or Sensewear Professional 6.0, are the most appropriate for use together with SWA in overweight and obese children.

Method: A random sample of 22 healthy, overweight or obese children (11 girls and 11 boys) aged 8-11 years was recruited from an ongoing intervention study. Energy expenditure in free-living conditions was simultaneously assessed with the SWA and DLW methods during a 14-day period. All data from the SWA were analyzed using InnerView Professional software versions 5.1 (SWA 5.1) and 6.1 (SWA 6.1).

Results: An accurate estimation in energy expenditure was obtained when SWA 5.1 was used, showing a non-statistically significant difference corresponding to 17 (1200) kJ[middle dot]d-1 compared with the energy expenditure measured using the DLW method. However, when SWA 6.1 was used a statistically significant (18%) underestimation of energy expenditure was obtained, corresponding to 1962 (1034) kJ[middle dot]d-1 compared with the DLW method.

Conclusion: The SWA together with software version 5.1, but not 6.1, is a valid method for accurately measuring energy expenditure at group level of free-living overweight and obese children.

This study evaluated the effect of a family-based multifactor intervention programme on physical activity among overweight or obese children. Children (n = 105, mean age 10.6 ± 1.07 years) with overweight or obesity were randomized into an intervention or control group. The intervention group participated in a 1-year programme aiming at lifestyle changes regarding food habits and physical activity. All children's physical activity was measured using SenseWear Armband at baseline and after 1 year. The children in both groups had a physical activity level (PAL) of 1.67 (0.27) at baseline. When comparing the intervention and control groups, no significant differences were found in physical activity outcome variables after 1 year of intervention. Contrarily to the hypotheses, both groups decreased their energy expenditure and time spent at >3 MET, and there was no change in steps and screen time after 1 year. Despite extensive efforts, the intervention showed no significant positive effect on overweight and obese children's PAL. Further studies are needed to obtain more knowledge on how to maintain or increase the PAL successfully among overweight and obese children.

Read More: http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/14038196.2011.566353

The aim was to examine the effect on physical activity of a 2-year family-based lifestyle intervention among overweight and obese Swedish children 8–12 years of age; 105 children were randomized to either intervention or control group. The intervention group was offered a 2-year lifestyle programme. Physical activity was measured using SenseWear Pro2 Armband during 4 consecutive days before and after the intervention. When comparing the intervention and control groups, no significant differences were found in the physical activity outcome variables after 2 years of intervention. However, the intervention group decreased their number of steps per day by 13%, p = 0.003 but had an unchanged screen time, whereas the control group had an unchanged number of steps but increased their screen time by 15%, p = 0.02, from baseline to 2-year measurement. There were no significant change in the intervention group, whereas significantly fewer children in the control group achieved the physical activity recommendations at 2-year measurement (88%) compared with at baseline (98%), p = 0.007. Future interventions regarding physical activity among overweight and obese children are of great importance even though the present one showed limited effects. In the continuing work, a greater effect may be received with an extended and more intense intervention regarding physical activity, focusing on reducing sedentary time rather than increasing the physical activity level.

Read More: http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/14038196.2011.562540

Objective. To evaluate the effect of a family-based intervention on anthropometric and metabolic markers in overweight and obese children. Methods. Overweight or obese 8-12 years olds (n = 93) were randomized into intervention or control groups. The intervention group participated in a program aiming for lifestyle changes regarding food habits and physical activity. Anthropometric measures and venous blood samples were collected from all children at baseline and after 1 year. Results. BMI z-scores decreased in both groups, 0.22 (P = 0.002) and 0.23 (P = 0.003) in intervention and control group, respectively, during the 1-year study, but there was no difference in BMI between the groups at 1-year measurement (P = 0.338). After 1 year, there was a significant difference in waist circumference, waist/hip ratio, and apolipoprotein B/A1 ratio between intervention and control group. Conclusions. The intervention had limited effects on anthropometrics and metabolic markers, which emphasizes the need of preventing childhood overweight and obesity.