The training and support needs of 22 programme directors of community-based childhood obesity interventions based on the EPODE approach: an online survey across programmes in 18 countries.

Background: Tackling childhood obesity is complex and requires a community-based approach implemented in multiple environments. It is known from literature that knowledgeable and skilled professionals are essential to implement such an approach successfully. The aim of the present study was to assess the need for training and support among a global network of programme directors implementing a Community-Based Childhood Obesity Intervention (CBCOI) based on the EPODE approach, in order to assist them in optimising the implementation process.

miR-223 reverses experimental pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a devastating disease affecting lung vasculature. The pulmonary arteries become occluded due to increased proliferation and suppressed apoptosis of the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) within the vascular wall. It was recently shown that DNA damage could trigger this phenotype by upregulating poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase 1 (PARP-1) expression, although the exact mechanism remains unclear.

Downward trends in the prevalence of childhood overweight in two pilot towns taking part in the VIASANO community-based programme in Belgium: data from a national school health monitoring system.

Background: Multilevel approaches involving environmental strategies are considered to be good practice to help reduce the prevalence of childhood overweight.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of VIASANO, a community-based programme using the EPODE methodology, on the prevalence of overweight in two pilot towns in Belgium.

Methods: We analysed data from a national school health monitoring system to compare changes in the prevalence of overweight and obesity over a 3-year period (2007-2010) in children aged 3-4 and 5-6 years in the pilot towns with those of children of the same ages from the whole French-speaking community of Belgium.

Process evaluation outcomes from a global child obesity prevention intervention.

Background: While it is acknowledged that child obesity interventions should cover multiple ecological levels (downstream, midstream and upstream) to maximize their effectiveness, there is a lack of evaluation data to guide the development and implementation of such efforts. To commence addressing this knowledge gap, the present study provides process evaluation data relating to the experiences of groups implementing the EPODE approach to child obesity prevention in various locations around the world. The aim of this exploratory study was to investigate the barriers and facilitators to program implementation in program sites around the world to assist in developing strategies to enhance program outcomes.