title: Pre-Adolescent Cardio-Metabolic Associations and Correlates: PACMAC methodology and study protocol.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although cardiovascular disease is typically associated with middle or old age, the atherosclerotic process often initiates early in childhood. The process of atherosclerosis appears to be occurring at an increasing rate, even in pre-adolescents, and has been linked to the childhood obesity epidemic. This study will investigate the relationships between obesity, lifestyle behaviours and cardiometabolic health in pre-pubescent children aged 8-10 years, and investigates whether there are differences in the correlates of cardiometabolic health between Māori and Caucasian children. Details of the methodological aspects of recruitment, inclusion/exclusion criteria, assessments, statistical analyses, dissemination of findings and anticipated impact are described.
  
  
  METHODS
  Phase 1: a cross-sectional study design will be used to investigate relationships between obesity, lifestyle behaviours (nutrition, physical activity/fitness, sleep behaviour, psychosocial influences) and cardiometabolic health in a sample of 400 pre-pubescent (8-10 years old) children. Phase 2: in a subgroup (50 Caucasian, 50 Māori children), additional measurements of cardiometabolic health and lifestyle behaviours will be obtained to provide objective and detailed data. General linear models and logistic regression will be used to investigate the strongest correlate of (1) fatness; (2) physical activity; (3) nutritional behaviours and (4) cardiometabolic health.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Ethical approval will be obtained from the New Zealand Health and Disabilities Ethics Committee. The findings from this study will elucidate targets for decreasing obesity and improving cardiometabolic health among preadolescent children in New Zealand. The aim is to ensure an immediate impact by disseminating these findings in an applicable manner via popular media and traditional academic forums. Most importantly, results from the study will be disseminated to participating schools and relevant Māori health entities.
authors.affiliation: School of Sport and Exercise, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Castro
authors.affiliation: School of Sport and Exercise, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Faulkner
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Skidmore
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Institute of Food Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Danielle M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Lambrick
authors.affiliation: Sleep/Wake Research Centre, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Leigh
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Signal
authors.affiliation: Institute of Food Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thunders
authors.affiliation: Sleep/Wake Research Centre, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Muller
authors.affiliation: School of Sport and Exercise, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lark
authors.affiliation: Department of Environment, Society, and Design, Lincoln University, Christchurch, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hamlin
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health, Education and Well-being, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, UK.
authors.forename: Andrew M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Lane
authors.affiliation: Research Centre for Maori Health and Development, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Te Kani
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Kingi
authors.affiliation: School of Sport and Exercise, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Lee
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stoner
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008659:Metabolic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D009520:New Zealand; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000150:complications*; D044465:White People
keywords: SLEEP MEDICINE; SPORTS MEDICINE