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Cardiorespiratory Effects of Project Energize: A Whole-of Region Primary School Nutrition and Physical Activity Programme in New Zealand in 2011 and 2015
(BioMed Central, 2020) Cairncross, C; Obolonkin, V; Coppinger, T; Rush, E
Background: Since 2004, Sport Waikato has delivered Project Energize, a through-school nutrition and physical activity program to primary schools in the Waikato. As part of the program's continued assessment and quality control, the programme was evaluated in 2011 and 2015. This paper's aim was to compare the cardiorespiratory fitness (time to run 550 m (T550)) levels of children participating in Project Energize in 2011 and 2015. Methods: In the 2011 evaluation of Project Energize, gender specific- T550-for-age Z scores (T550AZ) were derived from the T550 of 4832 Waikato children (2527 girls; 2305 boys; 36% Māori) aged between 6 and 12 years. In 2015, T550 was measured for 4798 (2361 girls; 2437 boys; 32% Māori) children, representative of age, gender and school socioeconomic status (SES). The T550AZ for every child in the 2015 study and 2011 evaluation were derived and differences in T550 between 2015 and 2011 by gender, SES and age were determined using independent t-tests. Multiple regression analysis predicted T550 Z score and run time, using year of measurement, gender, ethnicity, age and school SES. Results: With and without adjustment, children in 2015 ran 550 m faster than in 2011 (adjusted Z score 0.06, time 11 s). Specifically, girls ran at a similar speed in 2015 as 2011 but boys were faster than in 2011 (Z score comparison P < 0.001, mean difference 0.18 95%CI 0.12, 0.25). Regression analysis showed time taken to run 550 m was 11 s less in 2015 compared with 2011. Boys ran it 13 s faster than girls (Z score 0.07) and for each 1 year age increase, children were 8 s slower (Z score 0.006). For each 10% decrease in SES, children were 3 s slower (Z score 0.004) and Māori children were 5 s slower than Non-Māori children (Z score 0.15). Conclusions: The findings from this study support the continuation of the delivery of Project Energize in the Waikato region of New Zealand, as cardiorespiratory fitness scores in 2015, compared to 2011, were improved, particularly for lower SES schools and for Māori children. Ethnically diverse populations, schools with higher deprivation and girls, continue to warrant further attention to help achieve equity.
Development and Piloting of a Community Health Worker-based Intervention for the Prevention of Diabetes Among New Zealand Māori in Te Wai O Rona: Diabetes Prevention Strategy
(Cambridge University Press, 2008) Simmons, D; Rush, E; Crook, N
Objective The progression from impaired glucose tolerance (IGT)/impaired fasting glucose (IFG) to type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed through intensive lifestyle changes. How to translate this to implementation across whole communities remains unclear. We now describe the results to a pilot of a personal trainer (Maori Community Health Worker, MCHW) approach among Maori in New Zealand. Design, setting and subjects A randomised cluster-controlled trial of intensive lifestyle change was commenced among 5240 non-pregnant Maori family members without diabetes from 106 rural and 106 urban geographical clusters. Baseline assessments included lifestyle questionnaires, anthropometric measurements and venesection. A pilot study (Vanguard Study) cohort of 160 participants were weighed before and during MCHW intervention, and compared with fifty-two participants weighed immediately before intervention and with 1143 participants from the same geographical area. Interactions between participants and the MCHW were reported using personal digital assistants with a programmed detailed structured approach to each interview. Results During the Vanguard Study, participants and MCHW found the messages, toolkit and delivery approach acceptable. Those with IGT/IFG diagnosed (n 27) experienced significant weight loss after screening and during the Vanguard Study (5·2 (sd 6·6) kg, paired t test P < 0·01). Significant weight loss occurred during the Vanguard Study among all participants (−1·3 (sd 3·6) kg, P < 0·001). Conclusions Comparable initial weight loss was shown among those with IGT/IFG and those from existing trials. Community-wide prevention programmes are feasible among Maori and are likely to result in significant reductions in the incidence of diabetes.
Increasing Activity and Improving Nutrition Through a Schools-based Programme: Project Energize. 1. Design, Programme, Randomisation and Evaluation Methodology
(Cambridge University Press, 2008) Graham, D; Appleton, S; Rush, E; McLennan, S; Reed, P; Simmons, D
Project Energize is a through-school nutrition and activity programme that is being evaluated in a 2-year, cluster-randomised, longitudinal study. The present paper describes the background of the programme and study, the programme development and delivery, the study methodology including randomisation, measurement and analysis tools and techniques, and the mix of the study population. The programme is being delivered to sixty-two primary schools with sixty-two control schools, each limb containing about 11,000 students. The children in the evaluation cohort are 5 or 10 years old at enrolment; the randomisation protocol has achieved post-consent enrolment of 3,000 evaluation participants, who are comparable by age, sex and school decile. End-point measures include body composition and associated physical characteristics, fitness, home and school environment and practice.
Low Prevalence of Retinopathy, but High Prevalence of Nephropathy Among Māori With Newly Diagnosed Diabetes - Te Wai o Rona: Diabetes Prevention Strategy
(Elsevier, 2008) Lim, S; Chellumuthi, C; Crook, N; Rush, E; Simmons, D
Aims/hypothesis To describe the prevalence of retinopathy and microalbuminuria at diagnosis of diabetes in a predominantly Maori study population. Methods Biomedical assessment including photographic retinal examination was undertaken among 157 (68.9% of eligible) members of Maori families (3.3% non-Maori) diagnosed with diabetes during a community screening programme (n = 5240) as part of a diabetes prevention strategy. Results Mean HbA1c of those with newly diagnosed diabetes was 7.8 ± 1.5% with 34.4% having an HbA1c ≥8.0%. Retinopathy was present in 3 (1.7%) subjects, cataracts in 3.2%, microalbuminuria in 29.6% and albuminuria in 7.7%. After adjusting for covariates, only smoking was a risk factor for microalbuminuria/proteinuria (current and former smokers: increased 3.81(1.32–11.0) and 3.67(1.30–10.4) fold, respectively). Conclusions The prevalence of retinopathy at diagnosis was lower than in previous studies, yet that of microalbuminuria/proteinuria remained high. The retinopathy data suggest that case detection for diabetes in the community may be improving, but that other strategies among those at risk of diabetes, including those promoting smoking cessation, will be needed to reduce the risk of renal disease among Maori with diabetes.
Mapping the Availability and Accessibility of Healthy Food in Rural and Urban New Zealand: Te Wai o Rona: Diabetes Prevention Strategy
(Cambridge University Press, 2010) Wang, J; Williams, M; Rush, E; Crook, N; Forouhi, N; Simmons, D
Objective Uptake of advice for lifestyle change for obesity and diabetes prevention requires access to affordable ‘healthy’ foods (high in fibre/low in sugar and fat). The present study aimed to examine the availability and accessibility of ‘healthy’ foods in rural and urban New Zealand. Design We identified and visited (‘mapped’) 1230 food outlets (473 urban, 757 rural) across the Waikato/Lakes areas (162 census areas within twelve regions) in New Zealand, where the Te Wai O Rona: Diabetes Prevention Strategy was underway. At each site, we assessed the availability of ‘healthy’ foods (e.g. wholemeal bread) and compared their cost with those of comparable ‘regular’ foods (e.g. white bread). Results Healthy foods were generally more available in urban than rural areas. In both urban and rural areas, ‘healthy’ foods were more expensive than ‘regular’ foods after adjusting for the population and income level of each area. For instance, there was an increasing price difference across bread, meat, poultry, with the highest difference for sugar substitutes. The weekly family cost of a ‘healthy’ food basket (without sugar) was 29·1 % more expensive than the ‘regular’ basket ($NZ 176·72 v. $NZ 136·84). The difference between the ‘healthy’ and ‘regular’ basket was greater in urban ($NZ 49·18) than rural areas ($NZ 36·27) in adjusted analysis. Conclusions ‘Healthy’ foods were more expensive than ‘regular’ choices in both urban and rural areas. Although urban areas had higher availability of ‘healthy’ foods, the cost of changing to a healthy diet in urban areas was also greater. Improvement in the food environment is needed to support people in adopting healthy food choices.
The New Zealand Experience in Peer Support Interventions Among People With Diabetes
(Oxford Academic, 2009) Simmons, D; Voyle, J; Rush, E; Dear, M
Background. Peer-to-peer support has the potential to assist people with diabetes, or at risk of diabetes. Objective. To review the development of diabetes peer support initiatives in New Zealand. Methods. A systematic review of diabetes peer support publications from New Zealand, supplemented by unpublished records from Diabetes New Zealand (DNZ, the national diabetes patient organization) and the two major regional initiatives in South Auckland and Waikato. Results. DNZ, which has 40 societies and 71 diabetes support groups, delivers a range of services to members and non-members. The membership is mainly older European New Zealanders with diabetes, with some Maori and associated societies for Pacific and Youth. While demand exists, no quantitative evaluation of health impact by these organizations has been undertaken. Other peer support groups have developed in South Auckland and Northland. Common themes that emerge relate to leadership, organization and balancing the different needs of people with diabetes at different stages (e.g. newly diagnosed versus others) and with different personal needs. In South Auckland and the Waikato, lay educators have been trained to provide 1:1 and group sessions for people with, or at high risk of, diabetes. A range of training, management, funding and organizational barriers existed in the implementation of these lay educator programmes. Conclusions. Peer-to-peer support and education programmes in diabetes have been considered useful in New Zealand. Knowledge regarding training, management and organization is nearing a level, which would allow formal evaluation of a strategy for both the prevention of diabetes and in supporting people with diabetes.
Point-of-care Testing As a Tool for Screening for Diabetes and Pre-diabetes
(John Wiley & Sons, 2008) Rush, E; Crook, N; Simmons, D
Aim To determine the utility of finger-prick point-of-care testing (POCT) of blood glucose for the detection of dysglycaemia. Methods A fasting POCT and an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with laboratory assays were performed as part of the baseline screening for 5309 participants enrolled in the Te Wai o Rona Diabetes Prevention Strategy. Participants were aged 46 ± 19 years with no self-reported diabetes. Dysglycaemia, including diabetes, was defined using World Health Organization criteria. Agreement between the two fasting plasma glucose measurements and their screening properties (with sensitivity and specificity for cut points) were compared using receiver operator characteristic analysis. Results A total of 3225 participants had both capillary and venous fasting blood sampled within 30 min and then underwent OGTT. New diabetes was found in 161 participants (5.0%) and pre-diabetes in 414 [impaired glucose tolerance 299 (9.3%), impaired fasting glucose 115 (3.6%)]. The mean difference in capillary and venous measures was 0.02 mmol/l (95% confidence interval −0.04 to +0.01; limits of agreement –1.37 to 1.33 mmol/l). Capillary POCT was a poorer predictor of dysglycaemia and impaired glucose tolerance and new diabetes (area under curve 0.76 and 0.71) than venous laboratory analysis (area under curve 0.87 and 0.81 respectively). Optimal screening criteria were best at a venous glucose of 5.4 mmol/l; 77% sensitivity/specificity. Conclusions POCT significantly underestimated the true blood glucose at diagnostic levels for diabetes. POCT cannot be recommended as a means of screening for or diagnosing diabetes or pre-diabetes.
Prevalence of Undiagnosed Diabetes, Impaired Glucose Tolerance, and Impaired Fasting Glucose Among Māori in Te Wai o Rona: Diabetes Prevention Strategy
(New Zealand Medical Association, 2009) Simmons, D; Rush, E; Crook, N
Aims To describe the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) (“dysglycaemia”) among Māori. Methods Te Wai o Rona: Diabetes Prevention Strategy was a trial of lifestyle change among Māori families in the Waikato/Lakes areas of New Zealand. All Māori family household members aged ≥28 years, without known diabetes, were invited to participate through primary care, community, and media approaches. Participants were invited to have an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Results Of the 3817 eligible Māori, mean BMI was 32.9±7.8 kg/m2 (women) and 33.1±6.7 kg/m2 (men). The age standardised prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes was higher among men than women (6.5[5.8–7.4]% vs 4.2[3.6–4.8]%), as was that for IFG (5.4[4.7–6.1]% vs 3.0[2.3–3.5]%), but not IGT (8.5[7.6–9.4]% vs 9.7[8.7–10.6]%) with no rural-urban differences. The prevalence of dysglycaemia increased with increasing BMI with no clear inflection point and was 1.33(1.11–1.60) greater among those with a community services card after adjusting for age, sex and BMI. Conclusions Undiagnosed diabetes, IGT, and IFG remain common among Māori, particularly men, the very obese, and those with greater socioeconomic disadvantage. There remains significant opportunity to reduce Māori morbidity and premature mortality through diabetes case-finding and intervention.
Project Energize: Intervention Development and 10 Years of Progress in Preventing Childhood Obesity
(BioMed Central Ltd., 2016) Rush, E; Cairncross, C; Williams, MH; Tseng, M; Coppinger, T; McLennan, S; Latimer, K
Prevention of childhood obesity is a global priority. The school setting offers access to large numbers of children and the ability to provide supportive environments for quality physical activity and nutrition. This article describes Project Energize, a through-school physical activity and nutrition programme that celebrated its 10-year anniversary in 2015 so that it might serve as a model for similar practices, initiatives and policies elsewhere. The programme was envisaged and financed by the Waikato District Health Board of New Zealand in 2004 and delivered by Sport Waikato to 124 primary schools as a randomised controlled trial from 2005 to 2006. The programme has since expanded to include all 242 primary schools in the Waikato region and 70 schools in other regions, including 53,000 children. Ongoing evaluation and development of Project Energize has shown it to be sustainable (ongoing for >10 years), both effective (lower obesity, higher physical fitness) and cost effective (one health related cost quality adjusted life year between $18,000 and $30,000) and efficient ($45/child/year) as a childhood 'health' programme. The programme's unique community-based approach is inclusive of all children, serving a population that is 42 % Ma¯ori, the indigenous people of New Zealand. While the original nine healthy eating and seven quality physical activity goals have not changed, the delivery and assessment processes has been refined and the health service adapted over the 10 years of the programme existence, as well as adapted over time to other settings including early childhood education and schools in Cork in Ireland. Evaluation and research associated with the programme delivery and outcomes are ongoing. The dissemination of findings to politicians and collaboration with other service providers are both regarded as priorities.
Project Energize: Whole-region Primary School Nutrition and Physical Activity Programme; Evaluation of Body Size and Fitness 5 Years After the Randomised Controlled Trial
(Cambridge University Press, 2014) Rush, E; McLennan, S; Obolonkin, V; Vandal, AC; Hamlin, M; Simmons, D; Graham, D
Project Energize, a region-wide whole-school nutrition and physical activity programme, commenced as a randomised controlled trial (RCT) in the period 2004-6 in 124 schools in Waikato, New Zealand. In 2007, sixty-two control schools were engaged in the programme, and by 2011, all but two of the 235 schools in the region were engaged. Energizers (trained nutrition and physical activity specialists) work with eight to twelve schools each to achieve the goals of the programme, which are based on healthier eating and enhanced physical activity. In 2011, indices of obesity and physical fitness of 2474 younger (7·58 (sd 0·57) years) and 2330 older (10·30 (sd 0·51) years) children attending 193 of the 235 primary schools were compared with historical measurements. After adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, socio-economic status (SES) and school cluster effects, the combined prevalence of obesity and overweight among younger and older children in 2011 was lower by 31 and 15 %, respectively, than that among 'unEnergized' children in the 2004 to 2006 RCT. Similarly, BMI was lower by 3·0 % (95 % CI - 5·8, - 1·3) and 2·4 % (95 % CI - 4·3, - 0·5). Physical fitness (time taken to complete a 550 m run) was significantly higher in the Energized children (13·7 and 11·3 %, respectively) than in a group of similarly aged children from another region. These effects were observed for boys and girls, both indigenous Māori and non-Māori children, and across SES. The long-term regional commitment to the Energize programme in schools may potentially lead to a secular reduction in the prevalence of overweight and obesity and gains in physical fitness, which may reduce the risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Relationships Between a Walk Test, Body Size and Metabolic Risk Among a New Zealand Māori Community
(Taylor and Francis, 2010) Rush, E; Crook, N; Simmons, D
Aims: Programmes to prevent or delay chronic disease incorporate promotion of physical activity, particularly walking. The objective of this study was to test the associations of the ability to walk quickly with measures of adiposity and metabolic risk including dysglycaemia. Subjects and methods: Participants (3209), without known diabetes, in a lifestyle trial undertook a 4-minute walk test (4MWT) following measurements of fasting lipids, 75 g oral glucose tolerance test, anthropometry and blood pressure. Lower socio-economic status was defined by possession of a ‘community services card’ (CSC). Dysglycaemia (diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose) and metabolic syndrome (MS) were defined by WHO and ATPIII criteria, respectively. Results: Controlling for age, length of the walk-course and height, distance walked during the 4MWT decreased linearly (p < 0.001) with increasing waist, body mass index, %fat mass and MS risk. On average those with dysglycaemia walked 15.2 (95% CI 9.3, 20.8) m less than ‘normal’ participants independent of gender. In the best-fit regression model, distance walked was associated with reduced distances walked 1.3 (1.2, 1.5) m/year of age, 0.9 (0.8, 1.1) m/kg fat, 15.7 (11.2, 19.5) m with a CSC and 8.0 (5.8,10.2) m if currently smoking. Each additional MS factor was associated with a reduction of the distance walked by 6.6 (4.6, 8.6) m. Conclusion: Increasing numbers of MS components are associated with slower walking. The 4MWT is an easy assessment of functional limitation, which may have use in guiding intervention.
A School-based Obesity Control Programme: Project Energize. Two-year Outcomes
(Cambridge University Press, 2012) Rush, E; Reed, P; McLennan, S; Coppinger, T; Simmons, D; Graham, D
Through-school nutrition and physical activity interventions are designed to help reduce excess weight gain and risk of chronic disease. From 2004 to 2006, Project Energize was delivered in the Waikato Region of New Zealand as a longitudinal randomised controlled study of 124 schools (year 1-6), stratified by rurality and social deprivation, and randomly assigned to intervention or control. Children (686 boys and 662 girls) aged 5 (1926) and 10 (1426) years (692 interventions and 660 controls) had height, weight, body fat (by bioimpedance) and resting blood pressure (BP) measured at baseline and 2 years later. Each intervention school was assigned an 'Energizer'; a trained physical activity and nutrition change agent, who worked with the school to achieve goals based on healthier eating and quality physical activity. After adjustment for baseline measures, rurality and social deprivation, the intervention was associated with a reduced accumulation of body fat in younger children and a reduced rate of rise in systolic BP in older children. There was some evidence that the pattern of change within an age group varied with rurality, ethnicity and sex. We conclude that the introduction of an 'Energizer led' through-school programme may be associated with health benefits over 2 years, but the trajectory of this change needs to be measured over a longer period. Attention should also be paid to the differing response by ethnicity, sex, age group and the effect of rurality and social deprivation.
Supplementary Materials to Development and Piloting of a Community Health Worker-based Intervention for the Prevention of Diabetes Among New Zealand Māori in Te Wai O Rona: Diabetes Prevention Strategy
(Cambridge University Press, 2008) Simmons, D; Rush, E; Crook, N
The supplementary files in this record point to Table 1 (pg. 4) of the article; Development and Piloting of a Community Health Worker-based Intervention for the Prevention of Diabetes Among New Zealand Māori in Te Wai O Rona: Diabetes Prevention Strategy.
Under 5 Energize: Tracking Progress of a Preschool Nutrition and Physical Activity Programme With Regional Measures of Body Size and Dental Health at Age of Four Years
(MDPI, 2017-05-01) Rush, E; Obolonkin, V; Young, L; Kirk, M; Tseng, M
To reduce weight gain and encourage healthy eating including reduced sugar intake, Under 5 Energize (U5E) was introduced to 121 early-childhood-centres in the Waikato region of New Zealand in July 2013. Using anonymized data collected from January 2013 to September 2016 through free physical assessments of all 4-year-olds provided by the NZ Ministry of Health, the prevalence of obesity and dental decay children measured in the Waikato region was examined. Data were divided into four periods representing pre-implementation and 3 years of gradual implementation. Obesity was defined according to International Obesity Task Force criteria. Of 18,774 Waikato children included in the analysis, 32% were indigenous Māori, and 32% attended an U5E centre. Pre-implementation prevalences of obesity (4%) and visible dental decay (11%) of children attending and not-attending U5E centres were not different. While obesity prevalence did not change significantly over time, prevalence of dental decay decreased among children at U5E (trend p = 0.003) but not non-U5E (trend p = 0.14) centres, such that prevalences were significantly different between children at U5E vs. non-U5E centres at Year 3 (p = 0.02). The U5E intervention is a small but arguably effective part of the wider system approach that is required to improve children’s future health.
Vitamin D Status of Year 3 Children and Supplementation Through Schools With Fortified Milk
(Cambridge University Press, 2009) Graham, D; Kira, G; Conaglen, J; McLennan, S; Rush, E
Objective: To evaluate levels of vitamin D3 and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), and the ratio of HDL-C to LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), in schoolchildren receiving vitamin-D-fortified, fat-depleted, high-Ca milk in schools. Design: Cross-sectional study of previously randomised schools receiving supplemental milk, compared with a matched control group. Setting: Low-decile Year 1-6 schools in the Waikato region of New Zealand. Subjects: Year 3 children from either milk schools or control schools, consenting to blood sampling. Results: For eighty-nine children receiving supplementary daily milk, vitamin D3 levels were significantly higher than in eighty-three control children matched for age, sex, body composition and ethnicity (mean (sd): 49.6 (15.8) v. 43.8 (14.7) nmol/l, P = 0.011), as were HDL-C levels (mean (sd): 1.47 (0.35) v. 1.35 (0.29) mmol/l, P = 0.024) and HDL-C:LDL-C (median: 0.79 v. 0.71, P = 0.026). LDL-C levels were similar in both groups (mean (sd): 2.07 (0.55) v. 2.16 (0.60) mmol/l, P = 0.31). Of control children, 32/83 (20.2 %) of the milk group (Pearson's chi2 = 7.00, P = 0.008). Mean 25-hydroxyvitamin D (vitamin D3) levels in the milk group were still below the lower end of the recommended normal range (60 nmol/l). Conclusions: Vitamin D3 levels are low in low-decile Year 3 children in midwinter. Levels are improved with vitamin-D-fortified milk but still below the recommended range. HDL-C and HDL-C:LDL-C levels are improved in the milk-supplemented group. This supports the supply of vitamin-D-fortified, fat-reduced milk to schools.

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