Abstracts

Abstract

Background. Environmental change resulted in alterations of behaviour, unhealthy dietary habits, and low physical activity of infants and children in Europe over the last decades. Both, dietary and lifestyle factors contribute to the development of overweight/obesity and related comorbid conditions. The IDEFICS study (Identification and prevention of dietary-and lifestyleinduced health effects in children and infants) is a five-year multilevel epidemiological approach within the sixth EU framework to counteract the threatening epidemic of diet-and lifestyle-induced morbidity by evidencebased interventions. Methods. A population-based cohort of about 15 000 children aged 2 to 10 years is currently being established in eight European countries to investigate the aetiology of the mentioned diseases. Standardised instruments are used to measure the impact of food intake, food preferences, physical activity (PA) and fitness, psychosocial factors, consumer behaviour and genetic factors on body mass index (BMI), various indicators of body composition, bone stiffness and physiological markers in the blood and urine. Culturally adapted multi-component intervention strategies, focusing on dietary habits and physical activity, are developed, implemented and evaluated prospectively. Results. IDEFICS compares ethnic, regional and sex-specific distributions of the above disorders and their key risk factors in children across Europe. The impact of lifestyle and environmental factors, food preferences and differences in sensory perception and children's consumer behaviour are elucidated. In the ongoing baseline survey, almost 11 600 children were measured until March 15 th : 53% donated venous blood, and an additional 21% provided capillary blood, and 87% gave saliva (DNA). PA was assessed by accelerometers in 49% while the food frequency questionnaire was supplemented by a computer-based 24-hour dietary recall (SACINA) in 62% of children.Conclusions. Risk profile inventories for children susceptible to obesity and its comorbid conditions will be identified. Guidelines for health promotion and disease prevention will be developed and implemented in controlled intervention studies. The IDEFICS study may help to reduce future obesity and related diseases by provision of effective intervention modules.