A strong evidence base
Evidence shows that the MEND Programme helps children lose weight (specifically body fat), increase their physical activity levels and self-esteem and reduce their sedentary behaviours e.g. screen time.
In addition, research shows that children and young people who have been on a MEND Programme demonstrate sustained health improvements 12 months after starting the Programme.
We are proud of our 20-year research partnership with the UK’s most eminent child health organisations, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust and University College London Institute of Child Health.
We track the progress of each participant and the success of each programme using a secure online system. We analyse this data to make continuous improvements and help develop new programmes and services. Everything we do is evidence-based and highly effective.
To find out more about the research we do click here (PDF 1,531 KB) to view the results of MEND's Randmised Controlled Trial - the gold standard clinical research.
We are currently conducting a second, larger Randomised Control Trial at the Institute of Child Health to follow families for longer periods to see how they are faring two, five and ten years after starting the Programme.
MEND also has research partnerships with the University of Texas School of Public Health, Baylor College of Medicine, RTI International and Duke University.
MEND References
1. Sacher PM, Kolotourou M, Chadwick P, Cole TJ, Lawson M, Lucas A, Singhal A. Randomized controlled trial of the MEND Program: a family-based community intervention for childhood obesity. Obesity. (2010); S62-S68; doi:10.1038/oby.2009.433
http://www.nature.com/oby/
2. Swain C. MEND Programmes: community solutions to a national problem. Primary Health Care. (2009); 19,6:20-23. http://primaryhealthcare.
3. Sacher PM, Chadwick P, Kolotourou M, Cole TJ, Lawson M, Lucas A, Singhal A. Preventing and controlling childhood obesity using a family and community-based approach: MEND. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism. 2009; 34 (suppl 1):267.http://pubs.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/rp-
4. Kolotourou M, Chadwick P, Cole TJ, Lawson M, Singhal A, Sacher PM. The MEND Programme: National effectiveness data. Obesity Facts. 2009;2(suppl 2):27-28. http://content.karger.com/
5. Swain C, Sacher P (2009) Child Obesity: a manageable condition. Nurse Prescribing Volume 7 Number 1 January 2009 p 14-18. http://www.internurse.com/cgi-bin/go.pl/library/article.cgi?uid=38628;article=NP_7_1_14_18 (no abstract, full text available with subscription)
6. Sacher P, Wolman J, Chadwick P, Swain C. Mini-MEND: MEND’s early years healthy lifestyle programme for 2-4 year olds and their families. British Nutrition Foundation. Nutrition Bulletin. 2008; 33; 364-367. http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/121517116/abstract (no abstract, full text available with subscription)
7. Chadwick P, Sacher PM, Swain C. Talking to families about overweight children. British Journal of School Nursing. 2008;3:6; 271-276. http://www.internurse.com/cgi-bin/go.pl/library/article.cgi?uid=31696;article=BJSN_3_6_271_276 (free abstract, full text available with subscription)
8. Wolman J, Skelly E, Kolotourou M, Lawson MS, Sacher PM. Tackling toddler obesity through a pilot community-based family intervention. Community Practitioner. 2008; 81:1;28-31. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18297835 (free abstract, full text available with subscription)
9. Oldham A, Aylott H, Sacher PM. Mending the growing problem of childhood obesity. The British Journal of Primary Care Nursing. 2007; 4:6; 297-299. https://secure.sherbornegibbs.com/bjpcn/pdf/2880/Vol4_Num6_November-December_2007_p297-299.pdf?sid=eff0402e53d2f74f (free full text)
10. Sacher PM, Chadwick P, Kolotourou M, Cole TJ, Lawson MS, Singhal A. The MEND Trial: Sustained Improvements on Health Outcomes in Obese Children at One Year. Obesity. 2007; 15:A92. (not available online)
11. Sacher PM, Swain C. The MEND Programme: tackling childhood obesity. British Journal of School Nursing. 2007; 2:4;170. http://www.internurse.com/cgi-bin/go.pl/library/article.cgi?uid=24123;article=BJSN_2_4_170_174 (free abstract, full text available with subscription)
12. Sacher PM, Kolotourou M, Chadwick P, Singhal A, Cole TJ, Lawson MS. The MEND Programme: effects on waist circumference and BMI in moderately obese children. Obesity Reviews. 2007; 8:7-16:12. http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/117981431/issue (no abstract, full text available with subscription)
13. Sacher PM, Chadwick P, Kolotourou M, Cole TJ, Lawson M, Singhal A. The MEND RCT: Effectiveness on Health Outcomes in Obese Children. International Journal of Obesity. 2007. 31; S1. http://www.nature.com/ijo/journal/v31/n1s/pdf/0803591a.pdf (free abstract)
14. Sacher PM, Kolotourou M, Chadwick P, Singhal A, Cole TJ, Lawson M. The MEND Programme: effectiveness on health outcomes in obese children. Obesity Reviews. 2006. 7 (Suppl. 2): 89. http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/118556507/issue (abstract available with subscription)
15. Sacher PM, Kolotourou M, Chadwick P, Singhal A, Cole TJ, Lawson M. Is the MEND Programme effective in improving health outcomes in obese children? International Journal of Obesity. 2006. 30; 2:S41. http://www.nature.com/ijo/journal/v30/n2s/index.html (abstract available with subscription)
16. Sacher PM. Childhood obesity: consequences and control measures. Journal of Family Health Care. 2005. 15. 4. Spec. Suppl. 1: 4-5. http://www.jfhc.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=5&Itemid=31 (not available online)
17. Sacher PM, Chadwick P, Wells JCK, Williams J, Cole TJ, Lawson M. Assessing the acceptability and feasibility of the MEND Programme in a small group of obese 7–11 year old children. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics. 2005. 18: 3-5. http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/118704520/abstract (free abstract, full text available with subscription)
18. Sacher PM et al. An integrated programme of nutrition, exercise and behavioural modification in a small group of obese 7-11 year old children. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. 2003; 62:OCA/B,3A. http://www.enlink.org/pt/re/nestle/abstract.00006705-200309001-00003.htm (no abstract, full text available with subscription)
MEND Programme cited in:
1. Kipping RR et al. Obesity in Children. Part 2: Prevention and management. BMJ. 2008; 337: 984-989. http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/337/oct22_3/a1848 (free abstract, full text available with subscription)
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