Somatic complaints as a mediator in the association between body mass index and quality of life in children and adolescents.

Background: Children and adolescents with overweight are known to have lower Quality of Life (QoL) compared to peers with a normal weight. QoL is a broad concept and is associated with many factors. A better understanding of the factors associated with QoL in children and adolescents and their impact on the association between overweight/obesity and QoL, may help to develop and improve interventions that lead to an improvement in QoL in children/adolescents with a high body mass index (BMI > 25).

No differences in physical activity between children with overweight and children of normal-weight.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in objectively measured physical activity and in self-reported physical activity between overweight and normal-weight children.

Methods: Data from a prospective cohort study including children, presenting at the participating general practices in the south-west of the Netherlands, were used. Children (aged 4-15 years) were categorized as normal-weight or overweight using age- and sex specific cut-off points.

Pain Mechanisms in Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review With Meta-analysis of Mechanical Quantitative Sensory Testing Outcomes in People With Nonspecific Low Back Pain.

Background: Mechanical quantitative sensory testing (QST) assesses sensory functioning and detects functional changes in (central) nociceptive processing. It has been hypothesized that these functional changes might be apparent in people with nonspecific low back pain (LBP), although the results are mixed.

Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to examine whether sensory function, measured with QST, was altered in people with nonspecific LBP.

Differences in respiratory consultations in primary care between underweight, normal-weight, and overweight children.

This prospective cohort study investigates whether the suggested association between weight status and respiratory complaints in open populations is also reflected in the frequency of consultations for respiratory complaints at the general practice. Children aged 2-18 years presenting at one of the participating general practices in the Netherlands could be included. Electronic medical files were used to extract data on consultations.

General practitioners cannot rely on reported weight and height of children.

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the differences between reported and measured weight and height for underweight, normal-weight, and overweight children, particularly in a general practitioner setting.

Background: Screening, signaling, and treatment of childhood obesity by the general practitioner depends on accurate weight and height measurements.

Methods: Data on reported and measured weight and height from a cohort including 715 normal-weight and overweight children aged 2-17 were used.

The effect of a multidisciplinary intervention program for overweight and obese children on cardiorespiratory fitness and blood pressure.

Background: Multidisciplinary intervention programs for overweight and obese children mainly focus on reducing bodyweight and body mass index (BMI), but they may also positively impact blood pressure (BP), and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), which is a stronger predictor for all-cause mortality than BMI.

Objective: To evaluate whether Kids4Fit, a multidisciplinary weight reduction program, has a positive effect on CRF and BP in overweight and obese children in socially deprived areas.

Methods: A quasi-experimental study design with a waiting list control period including children who participated in a multidisciplinary intervention program of 12 weeks was set-up.

A multidisciplinary intervention programme for overweight and obese children in deprived areas.

Background: GPs can refer obese children living in deprived areas to multidisciplinary programmes for a weight loss intervention, though the effectiveness of these local initiatives targeted to this specific group is unknown.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the Kids4Fit intervention in deprived areas on child's weight status.

Methods: Design and setting: cohort study, including a waiting list control period.

Overweight and obese children do not consult their general practitioner more often than normal weight children for musculoskeletal complaints during a 2-year follow-up.

Background: Childhood obesity is associated with self-reported musculoskeletal complaints, injuries and fractures. In the current study, we investigated the association between weight status of children and the frequency and type of musculoskeletal consultations at the general practitioner (GP) during a 2-year follow-up.

Methods: Data from a prospective longitudinal cohort study including children aged 2-18 years presenting in general practices in the Netherlands were used.

Health profiles of overweight and obese youth attending general practice.

Background: Literature suggests that overweight and obese young people use healthcare services more often, but this awaits confirmation in primary care.

Objective: To identify health profiles of underweight, overweight and obese young people attending general practice and compare them to normal-weight youth and also to explore the weight-related health risks of eating and exercise behaviour in the four different weight categories.

Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design with baseline data from a trial including 683 young people (14-24 years of age) presenting to general practice.

Effect of multidisciplinary interventions on quality of life in obese children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: To assess the effect of multidisciplinary intervention (MI) programs for overweight and obese children on quality of life (QoL).

Methods: Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane databases were searched for relevant studies without date restrictions up to July 2014. Included were randomized controlled trials and controlled clinical trials evaluating an MI aimed to reduce weight in overweight children and reporting QoL.

An overview of national clinical guidelines for the management of childhood obesity in primary care.

Study Design: Review of clinical guidelines.

Background: Most national clinical guidelines for the management of childhood obesity in primary care were published since 2003. It is unknown whether there is international consensus concerning the diagnosis and management of childhood obesity.

Difference between parental perception and actual weight status of children: a systematic review.

An increasing number of children worldwide are overweight, and the first step in treating obesity is to identify overweight. However, do parents recognise overweight in their child and which factors influence parental perception? The aim of the present review is to systematically study differences between parental perception and the actual weight status of children. Medline, EMbase, CINAHL and PsychINFO were searched.

Determinants of (sustained) overweight and complaints in children and adolescents in primary care: the DOERAK cohort study design.

Background: Almost half of the adult Dutch population is currently overweight and the prevalence of overweight children is rising at alarming rates as well. Obese children consult their general practitioner (GP) more often than normal weight children. The Dutch government has assigned a key role to the GP in the prevention of overweight.

Primary prevention of overweight in children and adolescents: a meta-analysis of the effectiveness of interventions aiming to decrease sedentary behaviour.

The objectives of this meta-analysis were to provide an overview of the evidence regarding the effects of interventions, implemented in the school- and general population setting, aiming to prevent excessive sedentary behaviour in children and adolescents on (1) the amount of sedentary behaviour and (2) BMI. Differences in effects on sedentary behaviour and BMI between single health behaviour interventions (sedentary behaviour only) and multiple health behaviour interventions were explored. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, PsycINFO and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

Attitude, knowledge and behaviour towards evidence-based medicine of physical therapists, students, teachers and supervisors in the Netherlands: a survey.

Rationale, Aims And Objectives: Evidence-based medicine (EBM) has gained widespread acceptance in physical therapy. However, because little is known about the attitudes, knowledge and behaviour of physical therapists towards EBM, and their participation in research to generate EBM, we explored these aspects among physical therapy students, teachers, supervisors and practising physical therapists.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey in which participants completed a web-based questionnaire to determine their attitudes, knowledge and behaviour regarding EBM, and their participation in research.

Effectiveness of interventions for secondary Raynaud's phenomenon: a systematic review.

Objectives: To present an evidence-based overview of the effectiveness of (non)surgical symptomatic interventions to treat secondary Raynaud's phenomenon (RP).

Data Sources: The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, PEDro, and CINAHL were searched for relevant systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Study Selection: Two reviewers independently applied the inclusion criteria to select potential studies.

Excellent test-retest and inter-rater reliability for Tardieu Scale measurements with inertial sensors in elbow flexors of stroke patients.

Background: Spasticity is often clinically assessed with the Tardieu Scale, using goniometry to measure the range of motion and angle of catch. However, the test-retest and inter-rater reliability of these measurements have been questioned. Inertial sensors (IS) have been developed to measure orientation in space and are suggested to be a more appropriate tool than goniometry to measure angles in Tardieu Scale measurements.