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Obesity Related Behaviours (ORB)

ToyBox

Funding for this project was awarded in 2009 under the European Commission's Seventh Framework Programme, Theme 2 - Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Biotechnology, the European Union´s chief instrument for funding research over the period 2007 to 2013.

General objective
The ToyBox project aims to prevent early childhood obesity, using scientific knowledge of behaviour to understand and promote fun, healthy food, play and policy.

Project summary
Early childhood is a critical period for addressing obesity prevention; childrens' bodies are growing and they begin to develop lifestyle habits. The ToyBox project will identify key behaviours related to obesity in early childhood and conduct new behavioural research to explain why young children eat the foods they eat and why they do (or do not) participate in physical activity. ToyBox will review and evaluate behavioural models and educational strategies to identify best practices in changing children's behaviours. Using the findings, the ToyBox team will work with relevant stakeholders to design and implement a programme in schools to influence lifestyle behaviours and prevent obesity in 4-6 year old children.

Specific objectives

  • Identify children's lifestyle behaviours related to early childhood obesity;
  • Undertake new behavioural research to understand the determinants of these behaviours;
  • Review and evaluate existing behavioural models and educational strategies aiming to influence energy balance related behaviours in young children;
  • Assess the impact of school environment and existing legislation on effectiveness of obesity interventions applied in school settings;
  • Develop a programme to influence obesity related behaviours in 4-6 year olds that is school-based, family-involved and applicable on a European scale;
  • Seek feedback and input from members of school, family and health communities to design and refine the ToyBox programme;
  • Assess the outcomes and impact of this programmeand estimate its cost-effectiveness;
  • Share the project results with relevant stakeholders and make recommendations to support decision making for European Public Health Policy.

 

Project partners
ToyBox partners comprise a multidisciplinary team from across the EU:

  • Harokopio University, Greece - Coordinator
  • Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Germany
  • Ghent University, Belgium
  • VU University Medical Centre, Netherlands
  • University of Zaragoza, Spain
  • Akershus University College, Norway
  • Durham University, UK
  • State Institute of Early Childhood Research, Germany
  • Children's Memorial Health Institute, Poland
  • Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria
  • International Association for the Study of Obesity, UK
  • Netherlands Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Netherlands
  • AOK-Verlag GmbH, Germany
  • Roehampton University, UK
  • University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg

 

The Obesity Related Behaviours (ORB) Research Group is responsible for undertaking a rigorous systematic review to identify behavioural models and educational strategies which promote healthy weight and healthy energy balance related behaviours in young children. For more details please contact one of the researchers on the project, Helen Moore, Catherine Nixon or Wayne Douthwaite.