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Table 1 Description of parameters, applied methods, and time points of measuring in the OOIS

From: Effectiveness of a one-year multi-component day-camp intervention for overweight children: study protocol of the Odense overweight intervention study (OOIS)

Parameter

Method of measurement

Measurement time points

  

Baseline

During camp

Follow-up 1 (post camp)

Follow-up 2 (post intervention)

Anthropometrics

     

BMI and body composition

Height assessed without footwear and weight in underwear on a Soehnle Professional Medical electronic scale. Waist circumference was assessed between the lower costal margin and the iliac crest to the nearest 0.5 cm, at the end of a gentle expiration. Hip circumference was assessed at the level of the great trochanter. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was performed by an experienced operator on a GE Lunar Prodigy (GE Medical Systems, Madison, WI), equipped with ENCORE software (version 12.3, Prodigy; Lunar Corp, Madison, WI).

 

Pubertal development

Pubertal development was assessed according to Tanner by self-evaluation to avoid violating the child’s privacy.

 

Motor skills and fitness

     

Manual dexterity, aiming and catching, and balance

The objective part of the Movement-ABC II test battery was applied.

 

Hand grip strength

Hand grip strength was assessed using a Smedley Dynamometer (max. 100 kg).

 

Jump height

Jump height was assessed by measuring tape using the Sargent jump protocol. The best of three jumps was noted.

 

Cardiorespiratory fitness

Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed using a progressive bicycle ergometer protocol (Monarch Ergomedic 839e) until total exhaustion with indirect calorimetry (Innovision, AMIS 2001) and a Polar RS800CX heart rate monitor.

 

Arterial health

Blood pressure was assessed on the left upper arm with an automatic blood pressure monitor (Welch Allyn 300 series) after 5 minutes of rest in a sitting position. Resting heart rate was assessed by heart rate monitor (Polar RS800CX) during the ultrasound assessment as the child already was in a horizontal position and relaxed. Intima-media thickness and carotid elasticity were assessed in a lateral and a posterior position on the carotid artery with a GE LOGIQ e portable ultrasound machine with an attached 12 L-RS probe.

 

Blood measurements

After an overnight fast, blood samples were drawn in the morning from the antecubital vein (right arm). Participants were lying supine during blood collection. Samples for serum were left at room temperature for 30 minutes. Samples for plasma (EDTA) were centrifuged as soon as possible and put in the icebox (within one hour) before centrifugation. All samples were centrifuged at 2500G for 10 minutes. Then the samples were stored at -80°C until analysis.

    

CVD risk factors

Fasting blood samples were analyzed for insulin, glucose, HbA1c, and lipids.

 

Growth factors

Fasting blood samples were analyzed for BDNF and FGF-21.

 

Adipokines and myokines

Fasting blood samples were analyzed for leptin, adiponectin, and irisin.

 

Inflammatory factors

Fasting blood samples were analyzed for CRP, TNF-α, and IL-6.

 

Cognitive function

The testing environment was comfortable and free from distraction. The cognitive tasks were administered individually in the following order:

    

Visual memory

Rey Complex Figure Test (RCFT)

 

Attention and processing speed

Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT)

 

Attention and executive function

Trail Making Test A & B (TMT A & B)

 

Executive function

Stroop Color and Word Test

 

Child and parent surveys

     

Child’s lifestyle, perceived built environment and well-being

By computerized questionnaire. Test personnel helped with the questionnaire if needed.

 

Parent’s lifestyle and socio-economic status

By letter-distributed questionnaire.

  

Parent’s evaluation of child’s executive function

By Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF).

  

Habitual physical activity

Assessed by hip-worn accelerometer Actigraph GT3X + for 10 consecutive days for habitual physical activity, for seven consecutive days for estimated activity level during the day camp (SCIA only), and for two occurrences of fun-based physical activity for the SIA.

 

Food intake

Assessed by food registration for two whole days at the camp. For every meal the child had their food weighed and photographed for subsequent analyses of energy and nutrition content by trained and qualified personnel.