Are participant characteristics from ISCOLE study sites comparable to the rest of their country?
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Date
2015
Authors
LeBlanc, A.G.
Katzmarzyk, P.T.
Barreira, T.V.
Broyles, S.T.
Chaput, J-P.
Church, T.S.
Fogelholm, M.
Harrington, D.M.
Hu, G.
Kuriyan, R.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Macmillan Publishers Limited
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The International Study of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and the Environment (ISCOLE) provides robust, multi-national
information on physical activity, diet and weight status in 9–11-year-old children around the world. The purpose of this analysis was
to examine the similarities and differences between participant characteristics from ISCOLE sites and data from nationally
representative surveys from ISCOLE countries (Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Finland, Kenya, India, Portugal, South
Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States).
METHODS: Distributions of characteristics were assessed within each ISCOLE country-level database, and compared with published
data from national or regional surveys, where available. Variables of comparison were identified a priori and included body mass
index (BMI), physical activity (accelerometer-determined steps per day) and screen time (child-report).
RESULTS: Of 12 countries, data on weight status (BMI) were available in 8 countries, data on measured physical activity (steps
per day) were available in 5 countries and data on self-reported screen time were available in 9 countries. The five ISCOLE countries
that were part of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children Survey (that is, Canada, Finland, Portugal, the United Kingdom
(England) and the United States) also provided comparable data on self-reported physical activity. Available country-specific data
often used different measurement tools or cut-points, making direct comparisons difficult. Where possible, ISCOLE data were re-
analyzed to match country-level data, but this step limited between-country comparisons.
CONCLUSIONS: From the analyses performed, the ISCOLE data do not seem to be systematically biased; however, owing to
limitations in data availability, data from ISCOLE should be used with appropriate caution when planning country-level population
health interventions. This work highlights the need for harmonized measurement tools around the world while accounting for
culturally specific characteristics, and the need for collaboration across study centers and research groups.
Description
doi:10.1038/ijosup.2015.13
Keywords
Citation
International Journal of Obesity Supplements (2015) 5, S9–S16