Research - Obesity

Obesity has emerged as a major public health problem; it is estimated that the prevalence of obesity in children has doubled in the past decade. There are long-term health and psychosocial consequences of obesity, with obese children significantly likely to become obese adults. Established obesity is very difficult to treat, so efforts must be directed to prevention of obesity and overweight. There are major challenges in lifestyle changes involving healthy eating and increased activity, and utilising community-based professionals and settings such as general practitioners, community nurses and schools.

Title	Year	Description
HopSCOTCH - Shared Care Overweight Trial in Children	2008-2011	HopSCOTCH is a randomised controlled trial for a shared care approach to weight management in children from age 3 to 10 years. The shared care approach involves GPs working with the RCH specialist obesity team.
PEAS Kids Growth Study	2002-2009	This project follows the PEAS Study cohort of children from age 4 to 6.5 years to study adiposity rebound and overweight. A follow-up study is planned for 2009, to examine health outcomes when the children are 10 years old.
Health of Young Victorians Study (HOYVS)	1997-2007	HOYVS was a pioneering study looking at the risk and protective factors for overweight/obesity in the primary school years, and its physical and mental health outcomes. A follow-up study to HOYVS 1997 and 2000 that studies an existing cohort of approximately 1500 Victorian adolescents that have been followed since childhood to examine the origins and impacts of overweight and obesity. This is a population health study.
Healthy eating and sociocultural influences on eating and physical activity	2002-ongoing	This study aims to examine the socio-cultural, familial and environmental factors influencing health, eating habits and patterns of physical activity contributing to child and adolescent overweight and obesity.
LEAP: The Live, Eat and Play Study	2002-2004 2005-2007	LEAP is a randomised control trial for a GP intervention aimed at reducing overweight in Victorian primary school children.
Moreland Healthy Children Project	2005-2009	Clustered randomised control trial intended to address and reduce the escalating prevalence of overweight and obesity of children by trialling a community-wide, school-based intervention across Moreland, an inner Melbourne local government area.
Overweight in RCH medical inpatients: ascertainment and parent expectations	2005	This study aimed to determine how many children admitted to The Royal Childrens Hospital are overweight, how often body mass index is documented during admissions, and parents' perceptions and concerns about their child's weight.
Trial of a sustainable school-based community health promotion and obesity prevention intervention	2003	This pilot study was undertaken to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a sustainable school-based community intervention promoting child health and wellbeing and preventing overweight and obesity.

Last Updated 13-Mar-2009. Authorised by: Frank Oberklaid. Enquiries: Penny Miller.