Mapping the dynamics of learning communities about Dutch healthy weight approaches: a causal loop diagram.

Background: Learning communities (LCs) are increasingly used among multidisciplinary public health challenges, such as local healthy weight approaches. LCs aim to stimulate learning, collaboration and actions. Previous research has provided insights into the underlying elements of multidisciplinary LCs, but little is known about the perceived causalities of these elements.

Citizens' perspectives on healthy weight approaches in low SEP neighborhoods: a qualitative study from a systems perspective.

Background: The physical and the social environment are important predictors of healthy weight, especially in low socioeconomic position (SEP) neighborhoods. Many Dutch municipalities have implemented a healthy weight approach (HWA). Yet, there is room for improvement.

Development of a checklist to assess potentially effective components in combined lifestyle interventions for children with overweight or obesity.

Background: In the Netherlands, Combined Lifestyle Interventions (CLIs), offered in primary care, aim to reduce the number of children with overweight or obesity. CLIs are carried out by a multidisciplinary team and focus on dietary advice and guidance, exercise and behaviour change. These CLIs are not uniformly designed and vary in protocols to suit the local circumstances.

Leverage point themes within Dutch municipalities' healthy weight approaches: A qualitative study from a systems perspective.

Introduction: Despite all efforts of national and local approaches, obesity rates continue to rise worldwide. It is increasingly recognized that the complexity of obesity should be further addressed by incorporating a systems perspective when implementing approaches. Such an approach has four interconnected system levels: events, structures, goals, and beliefs, in which small changes ('leverage points') can lead to substantial changes in the functioning of the entire system.

Implementation of Combined Lifestyle Interventions for Children with Overweight or Obesity: Experiences of Healthcare Professionals in Multiple Communities.

Background: To counteract children with obesity, different protocols for combined lifestyle interventions (CLIs) are implemented by healthcare providers (HCPs). To understand the effects of CLI, we studied the implementation process, facilitators and barriers experienced by HCPs.

Methods: A multiple case study design in which community-based CLIs (n = 4), implemented in a total of ten different communities, are conceptualized as a "case".

The effectiveness of a web-based Dutch parenting program to prevent overweight in children 9-13 years of age: Results of a two-armed cluster randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Although parental support is an important component in programs designed to prevent overweight in children, current programs pay remarkably little attention to the role of parenting. We therefore developed a web-based parenting program entitled "Making a healthy deal with your child". This e-learning program can be incorporated into existing overweight prevention programs.

The degree of consistency of applying parental dietary and sedentary behavior rules as indicators for overweight in children: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Review studies increasingly emphasize the importance of the role of parenting in interventions for preventing overweight in children. The aim of this study was to examine typologies regarding how consistently parents apply energy-balance related behavior rules, and the association between these typologies and socio-demographic characteristics, energy balance-related behaviors among school age children, and the prevalence of being overweight.

Methods: For this cross-sectional study, we had access to a database managed by a Municipal Health Service Department in the Netherlands.

'Improving Health through Reducing Stress': Parents' Priorities in the Participatory Development of a Multilevel Family Health Programme in a Low-Income Neighbourhood in The Netherlands.

In order to reduce health inequities, a socio-ecological approach and community engagement are needed to develop sustained interventions with a positive effect on the health of disadvantaged groups. This qualitative study was part of the development phase of a community health promotion programme. The study aimed to provide insight into the perceptions of parents in a disadvantaged neighbourhood about health, and their priorities for the community health programme.

A set of pedagogical recommendations for improving the integrated approach to childhood overweight and obesity: A Delphi study.

Background: Tackling the increasing global problem of childhood overweight and obesity requires an integrated approach. Studies increasingly emphasize the importance of the parents' role in interventions designed to prevent overweight in children. The aim of this study was to develop a unified set of recommendations for healthy parenting practices that can be applied by all professionals who work with children age 4-13 years and can contribute to strengthening the integrated approach to childhood overweight.

Parents' underestimation of their child's weight status. Moderating factors and change over time: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Parents' underestimation of their child's weight status can hinder active participation in overweight prevention programs. We examined the level of agreement between the parents' perception of their child's weight status and the child's actual weight status, moderating factors, and change over time.

Methods: This cross-sectional study used data collected in 2009 (n = 8105), 2013 (n = 8844) and 2017 (n = 11,022) from a community-based survey conducted among parents of children age 2-12 years in the Netherlands.

Everyday life situations in which mothers experience difficulty stimulating healthy energy balance-related behavior in their school-age children: a focus group study.

Background: Parental support is an important element in overweight prevention programs for children. The purpose of this study was to examine everyday life situations in which mothers encounter difficulties encouraging healthy energy balance-related behavior in their school-age children.

Methods: We formed four focus groups containing 6-9 participants each.

The role of the general practitioner in multidisciplinary teams: a qualitative study in elderly care.

Background: In the western world, a growing number of the older people live at home. In the Netherlands, GPs are expected to play a pivotal role in the organization of integrated care for this patient group. However, little is known about how GPs can play this role best.

The effectiveness of a web-based Dutch parenting program to prevent overweight in children 9-13 years of age: study protocol for a two-armed cluster randomized controlled trial.

Background: Although parental support is an important component in overweight prevention programs for children, current programs pay remarkably little attention to the role of parenting. To close this gap, we developed a web-based parenting program for parents entitled "Making a healthy deal with your child". This e-learning program can be incorporated into existing prevention programs, thereby improving these interventions by reinforcing the role of parenting and providing parents with practical tools for use in everyday situations in order to stimulate a healthy lifestyle.

Academic collaborative centres for health promotion in the Netherlands: building bridges between research, policy and practice.

A logical and promising next step for the development of an effective infrastructure for health promotion in the Netherlands are Academic Collaborative Centres (ACCs). Their aims are to bridge the gap between research, policy and practice; make better use of available knowledge and strengthen the evidence base for health promotion practice. To understand their position, they must be seen in light of the strong growth in health promotion in the Netherlands.

Serotonin receptor 3A polymorphism c.-42C > T is associated with severe dyspepsia.

Background: The association between anxiety and depression related traits and dyspepsia may reflect a common genetic predisposition. Furthermore, genetic factors may contribute to the risk of having increased visceral sensitivity, which has been implicated in dyspeptic symptom generation. Serotonin (5-HT) modulates visceral sensitivity by its action on 5-HT3 receptors.

Effect and cost-effectiveness of step-up versus step-down treatment with antacids, H2-receptor antagonists, and proton pump inhibitors in patients with new onset dyspepsia (DIAMOND study): a primary-care-based randomised controlled trial.

Background: Substantial physician workload and high costs are associated with the treatment of dyspepsia in primary health care. Despite the availability of consensus statements and guidelines, the most cost-effective empirical strategy for initial management of the condition remains to be determined. We compared step-up and step-down treatment strategies for initial management of patients with new onset dyspepsia in primary care.

Pragmatic trials in primary care. Methodological challenges and solutions demonstrated by the DIAMOND-study.

Background: Pragmatic randomised controlled trials are often used in primary care to evaluate the effect of a treatment strategy. In these trials it is difficult to achieve both high internal validity and high generalisability. This article will discuss several methodological challenges in designing and conducting a pragmatic primary care based randomised controlled trial, based on our experiences in the DIAMOND-study and will discuss the rationale behind the choices we made.

Diameter of abdominal aortic aneurysm and outcome of endovascular aneurysm repair: does size matter? A report from EUROSTAR.

Objectives: This study was undertaken to determine the effect of the preoperative diameter of abdominal aortic aneurysms on the midterm outcome after endovascular abdominal aneurysm repair (EVAR).

Method: The data for 4392 patients who had undergone EVAR were analyzed. Patients were enrolled over 6 years to June 2002 in the EUROSTAR database.

Frequency, predictive factors, and consequences of stent-graft kink following endovascular AAA repair.

Purpose: To determine from the EUROSTAR registry the incidence of stent-graft kink, predictive factors for kinking, and the consequences of this complication on graft patency and aneurysm exclusion.

Methods: From January 1994 to June 2002, 4613 patients who underwent endovascular aneurysm repair were registered in the EUROSTAR registry. Presence of kink was determined according to the information available on the follow-up Case Record Form.

The significance and management of different types of endoleaks.

Development of endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) has been accompanied by previously unencountered complications. The most challenging but least understood of these complications is the incomplete seal of the endovascular graft (endoleak), a phenomenon that has a variety of causes. An important consequence of endoleakage may be persistent pressurization of the aneurysm sac, which may ultimately lead to post-EVAR rupture.

Tracheostomy for long-term ventilated patients: a postal survey of ICU practice in The Netherlands.

Objective: To assess the frequency, timing, technique, and follow-up of tracheostomy for long-term ventilated patients in different intensive care units (ICUs) in The Netherlands.

Design And Setting: Postal questionnaire, survey on retrospective data. A questionnaire was sent to all ( n=63) ICUs with six or more beds suitable for mechanical ventilation and officially recognized by The Netherlands Intensive Care Society.