Aim: Evaluate the PRE-STARt intervention in five European countries (UK, Portugal, Spain, Germany and Greece).

Methods: The 8 family based interactive workshops aimed to elicit positive lifestyle behavior change in 12-14 year olds. The written curriculum was underpinned by specific learning theories and philosophy. Demographic, biomedical, anthropometric and lifestyle behavior measures were collected at baseline, 3 and 6 months. Due to design differences across countries, the analysis assesses changes within each country.

Results: 318 participants were recruited (50% male, 69% Caucasian ethnicity). Control group were more overweight than the intervention group (10%). Average time spent doing moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was 45 minutes/day. A trend towards increased MVPA at 6 months in the UK was observed (8 mins/day). The attendance data for change in MVPA at 6 months indicate a dose response. Those attending at least 4 workshops had significantly higher MVPA compared to those who attended less than 4 (OR:12.64 (3.63 to 21.66), 18.92 (5.74 to 32.09)). A trend towards clinical and statistical significant reduction in both BMI and weight for all countries was observed. The UK observed a non-significant reduction in self-reported sitting time on weekdays (1 hour/day). Eating behaviors improved in each country at 6 months; in Greece increased frequency of eating breakfast; a reduction in the number of days snacks eaten in the UK; a trend across all countries for increased fruit and vegetable consumption.

Conclusion: The intervention is accepted by the target population. The data point to positive emerging trends in changes in health behaviors (both eating and activity) in addition to health outcomes namely a reduction in body weight and BMI. A definitive randomized controlled trial is required to test effectiveness and cost effectiveness of the intervention.

Disclosure

E.M. Brady: None. L.J. Gray: None. S. Weihrauch-Blüher: None. C. Edwardson: None. D. Harrington: None. R.T. Ribeiro: None. A. Vazeou: None. A.L. Northern: None. E. Alustiza: None. M. Davies: Advisory Panel; Self; AstraZeneca. Board Member; Self; AstraZeneca. Consultant; Self; AstraZeneca. Speaker's Bureau; Self; AstraZeneca. Advisory Panel; Self; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Board Member; Self; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Consultant; Self; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Advisory Panel; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. Board Member; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. Consultant; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. Advisory Panel; Self; Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Board Member; Self; Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Consultant; Self; Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Advisory Panel; Self; Novo Nordisk Inc.. Board Member; Self; Novo Nordisk Inc.. Consultant; Self; Novo Nordisk Inc.. Research Support; Self; Novo Nordisk Inc.. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Novo Nordisk Inc.. Board Member; Self; Sanofi-Aventis. Consultant; Self; Sanofi-Aventis. Research Support; Self; Sanofi-Aventis. Advisory Panel; Self; Sanofi-Aventis. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Sanofi-Aventis. Advisory Panel; Self; Servier. Consultant; Self; Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc.. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation.

Readers may use this article as long as the work is properly cited, the use is educational and not for profit, and the work is not altered. More information is available at http://www.diabetesjournals.org/content/license.