Predictors of Changes in Sleep Duration in Dutch Primary Schoolchildren: the ChecKid Study.

Background: Healthy sleep duration is essential to health and well-being in childhood and later life. Unfortunately, recent evidence shows a decline in sleep duration among children. Although effective interventions promoting healthy sleep duration require insight into its predictors, data on these factors are scarce.

Agreement between parent and child report of physical activity, sedentary and dietary behaviours in 9-12-year-old children and associations with children's weight status.

Background: To date, population based surveys aimed at gaining insight in health related behaviour of children have often used either child self-reports or parent proxy reports. It remains unclear however, if surveys using different sources of information from either parents or children are comparable. In addition, (over)weight status of children can lead to under- and over reporting by parents and children as a result of social desirability bias.

Identifying developmental trajectories of body mass index in childhood using latent class growth (mixture) modelling: associations with dietary, sedentary and physical activity behaviors: a longitudinal study.

Background: To date, many epidemiologic studies examining associations between obesity and dietary and sedentary/physical activity behaviors have focused on assessing Body Mass Index (BMI) at one point in time. Recent developments in statistical techniques make it possible to study the potential heterogeneity in the development of BMI during childhood by identifying distinct subpopulations characterized by distinct developmental trajectories. Using Latent Class Growth (Mixture) Modelling (LCGMM) techniques we aimed to identify BMI trajectories in childhood and to examine associations between these distinct trajectories and dietary, sedentary and physical activity behaviors.

Behavioural and socio-demographic characteristics of Dutch neighbourhoods with high prevalence of childhood obesity.

Objective: To identify neighbourhoods with increased prevalence of overweight children and to examine whether the association between neighbourhood and overweight can be explained by demographic characteristics and energy-related behaviours.

Method: This cross-sectional study was carried out among 4,072 primary schoolchildren in the city of Zwolle, The Netherlands. Data collection consisted of measured height, weight and waist circumference, and a parental questionnaire on socio-demographic characteristics, dietary and (in)activity behaviour of their child.

The prevalence of overweight and obesity and its determinants in children with and without disabilities.

Objectives: To compare the prevalence of overweight and obesity and nutrition and physical activity behavior between primary school children with and without disabilities.

Study Design: Body weight and height were measured in 4072 children from regular primary schools in the city of Zwolle, the Netherlands, and in 85 children from a school for children with disabilities. Furthermore, parents completed a questionnaire on the child's nutrition and physical activity behavior.