The Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children (PANIC) Study

NCT01803776 | Unknown

• 1 other identifier: PANIC
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 504
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children (PANIC) Study is a single-centre controlled trial on the effects of a combined physical activity and dietary intervention on cardiometabolic risk factors and other health outcomes in a population sample of children from the city of Kuopio, Finland. The study provides novel scientific information for the identification of cardiometabolic diseases and other chronic diseases since fetal period and for the prevention of these chronic diseases since childhood. The main hypothesis of the PANIC study is that individuals at increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases and other chronic diseases can be identified in childhood and that it is possible to start the prevention of these chronic diseases by a long-term physical activity and dietary intervention since childhood.

Conditions

Overweight; Glucose Metabolism Disorders; Lipid Metabolism Disorders; Blood Pressure; Atherosclerosis

Keywords

children; adolescents; physical activity; sedentary time; nutrition; diet; body composition; overweight; obesity; insulin; glucose; lipids; adipokines; myokines; metabolomics; fitness; arterial elasticity; atherosclerosis; blood pressure; bone mineral density; genetics; gene-lifestyle interaction; oral health; oral bacteriomics; wellbeing; depression; sleep; pain; health economics; healthcare services; medication; cost-effectiveness

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Change in insulin resistance

  Fasting serum insulin

  From baseline to 2-year follow-up (childhood), 8-year follow-up (adolescence), and 14-year follow-up (early adulthood)

• Change in fasting plasma glucose

  Fasting plasma glucose

  From baseline to 2-year follow-up (childhood), 8-year follow-up (adolescence), and 14-year follow-up (early adulthood)

• Change in body composition

  Body fat percentage and lean body mass assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

  From baseline to 2-year follow-up (childhood), 8-year follow-up (adolescence), and 14-year follow-up (early adulthood)

Secondary Outcomes (11)

• Change in physical activity

  From baseline to 2-year follow-up (childhood), 8-year follow-up (adolescence), and 14-year follow-up (early adulthood)

• Change in sedentary time

  From baseline to 2-year follow-up (childhood), 8-year follow-up (adolescence), and 14-year follow-up (early adulthood)

• Change in diet

  From baseline to 2-year follow-up (childhood), 8-year follow-up (adolescence), and 14-year follow-up (early adulthood)

• Change in cardiorespiratory fitness

  From baseline to 2-year follow-up (childhood), 8-year follow-up (adolescence), and 14-year follow-up (early adulthood)

• Change in lipid metabolism

  From baseline to 2-year follow-up (childhood), 8-year follow-up (adolescence), and 14-year follow-up (early adulthood)

Study Arms (2)

lifestyle counseling

EXPERIMENTAL

Physical activity and dietary counseling

Behavioral: lifestyle counseling

Control

NO INTERVENTION

No active intervention

Interventions

lifestyle counseling BEHAVIORAL

The physical activity and dietary intervention is based on the Finnish physical activity and dietary recommendations. The children and their parents in the intervention group undergo individualized and family-based physical activity and dietary intervention between the baseline and 2-year follow-up examinations. The children and their parents meet a physical activity specialist and a nutritionist who give detailed and individualized instructions on health promoting physical activity and diet at months 0, 1.5, 3, 6, 12, and 18 with a specific topic at each visit. Between the 2-year follow-up and 8-year follow-up examinations, the intervention continues with yearly physical activity and dietary counseling sessions. The children in the intervention group, particularly those who do not attend organized sports or exercise, will also be encouraged to participate in after-school exercise clubs organized by trained exercise instructors of the study.

lifestyle counseling

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 6 Years - 9 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• boys and girls, 6-9 years of age at baseline, from the city of Kuopio, Finland

You may not qualify if:

• physical disabilities that could hamper participation in the intervention
• no time or motivation to attend the study

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Eastern Finland: lead
• Kuopio University Hospital: collaborator
• University of Jyvaskyla: collaborator
• Kuopio Research Institute of Exercise Medicine: collaborator
• University of Turku: collaborator
• Tampere University: collaborator
• Folkhälsan Researech Center: collaborator
• University of Cambridge: collaborator
• University of Exeter: collaborator
• University of Copenhagen: collaborator
• Norwegian School of Sport Sciences: collaborator
• University of Tromso: collaborator
• University of Iceland: collaborator
• Early Growth Genetics (EGG) Consortium: collaborator
• LongITools Consortium: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

University of Eastern Finland

Kuopio, 70211, Finland

Location

Related Publications (25)

• Viisanen M, Raittio E, Ikavalko T, Peltomaki T, Suominen AL, Tolonen V, Soininen S, Karvinen H, Lakka TA. Orthodontic Visits According to Socioeconomic Status Among Children Living in the City of Kuopio, Finland: The PANIC Study. Clin Exp Dent Res. 2026 Feb;12(1):e70280. doi: 10.1002/cre2.70280.

  PMID: 41510745 DERIVED

• Liimatta J, Huotari J, du Toit T, Fluck CE, Jaaskelainen J, Hackney AC, Hakkinen MR, Lehtonen M, Auriola S, Lakka TA, Voutilainen R. Serum and hair steroid profiles and their associations with body composition in adolescence. Eur J Endocrinol. 2025 Nov 26;193(6):640-650. doi: 10.1093/ejendo/lvaf235.

  PMID: 41259303 DERIVED

• Macro LE, Vlachopoulos D, Haapala EA, Wadey CA, Lakka TA, Barker AR. Effect of Scaling Peak Oxygen Uptake for Body Size and Composition to Assess Cardiometabolic Risk in Children. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2025 Dec 1;57(12):2795-2806. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003828. Epub 2025 Jul 25.

  PMID: 40708126 DERIVED

• Kraav J, Zagura M, Viitasalo A, Soininen S, Veijalainen A, Kahonen M, Jurimae J, Tillmann V, Haapala E, Lakka T. Associations of Cardiovascular Health Metrics in Childhood and Adolescence With Arterial Health Indicators in Adolescence: The PANIC Study. J Am Heart Assoc. 2024 Nov 19;13(22):e035790. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.124.035790. Epub 2024 Nov 7.

  PMID: 39508145 DERIVED

• Aitokari L, Lahti S, Kivela L, Riekki H, Hiltunen P, Vuorela N, Viitasalo A, Soininen S, Huhtala H, Lakka T, Kurppa K. Alanine aminotransferase cutoffs for the pediatric fatty liver disease: Major impact of the reference population. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2024 Mar;78(3):488-496. doi: 10.1002/jpn3.12040. Epub 2023 Dec 10.

  PMID: 38314943 DERIVED

• Skinner AM, Barker AR, Moore SA, Soininen S, Haapala EA, Vaisto J, Westgate K, Brage S, Lakka TA, Vlachopoulos D. Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between the 24-hour movement behaviours, including muscle and bone strengthening activity, with bone and lean mass from childhood to adolescence. BMC Public Health. 2024 Jan 19;24(1):227. doi: 10.1186/s12889-024-17711-x.

  PMID: 38238707 DERIVED

• Laamanen SE, Eloranta AM, Haapala EA, Sallinen T, Schwab U, Lakka TA. Associations of diet quality and food consumption with serum biomarkers for lipid and amino acid metabolism in Finnish children: the PANIC study. Eur J Nutr. 2024 Mar;63(2):623-637. doi: 10.1007/s00394-023-03293-8. Epub 2023 Dec 21.

  PMID: 38127151 DERIVED

• Liimatta J, Fluck CE, Mantyselka A, Hakkinen MR, Auriola S, Voutilainen R, Jaaskelainen J, Lakka TA. Effects of 2-Year Physical Activity and Dietary Intervention on Adrenarchal and Pubertal Development: The PANIC Study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2023 Nov 17;108(12):e1603-e1613. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgad367.

  PMID: 37329220 DERIVED

• Soininen S, Eloranta AM, Schwab U, Lakka TA. Sources of vitamin D and determinants of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D in Finnish adolescents. Eur J Nutr. 2023 Mar;62(2):1011-1025. doi: 10.1007/s00394-022-03039-y. Epub 2022 Nov 9.

  PMID: 36350359 DERIVED

• Constable AM, Vlachopoulos D, Barker AR, Moore SA, Soininen S, Haapala EA, Vaisto J, Jaaskelainen J, Voutilainen R, Auriola S, Hakkinen MR, Laitinen T, Lakka TA. The Mediating Role of Endocrine Factors in the Positive Relationship Between Fat Mass and Bone Mineral Content in Children Aged 9-11 Years: The Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children Study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022 Mar 24;13:850448. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2022.850448. eCollection 2022.

  PMID: 35399927 DERIVED

• Kuvaja-Kollner V, Lintu N, Lindi V, Rissanen E, Eloranta AM, Kiiskinen S, Martikainen J, Kankaanpaa E, Valtonen H, Lakka TA. Cost-effectiveness of physical activity intervention in children - results based on the Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children (PANIC) study. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2021 Sep 6;18(1):116. doi: 10.1186/s12966-021-01181-0.

  PMID: 34488794 DERIVED

• Constable AM, Vlachopoulos D, Barker AR, Moore SA, Soininen S, Haapala EA, Vaisto J, Westgate K, Brage S, Mahonen A, Lakka TA. The independent and interactive associations of physical activity intensity and vitamin D status with bone mineral density in prepubertal children: the PANIC Study. Osteoporos Int. 2021 Aug;32(8):1609-1620. doi: 10.1007/s00198-021-05872-z. Epub 2021 Feb 5.

  PMID: 33547487 DERIVED

• Lakka TA, Lintu N, Vaisto J, Viitasalo A, Sallinen T, Haapala EA, Tompuri TT, Soininen S, Karjalainen P, Schnurr TM, Mikkonen S, Atalay M, Kilpelainen TO, Laitinen T, Laaksonen DE, Savonen K, Brage S, Schwab U, Jaaskelainen J, Lindi V, Eloranta AM. A 2 year physical activity and dietary intervention attenuates the increase in insulin resistance in a general population of children: the PANIC study. Diabetologia. 2020 Nov;63(11):2270-2281. doi: 10.1007/s00125-020-05250-0. Epub 2020 Aug 20.

  PMID: 32816094 DERIVED

• Eloranta AM, Sallinen T, Viitasalo A, Lintu N, Vaisto J, Jalkanen H, Tompuri TT, Soininen S, Haapala EA, Kiiskinen S, Schnurr TM, Kilpelainen TO, Mikkonen S, Savonen K, Atalay M, Brage S, Laaksonen DE, Lindi V, Agren J, Schwab U, Jaaskelainen J, Lakka TA. The effects of a 2-year physical activity and dietary intervention on plasma lipid concentrations in children: the PANIC Study. Eur J Nutr. 2021 Feb;60(1):425-434. doi: 10.1007/s00394-020-02260-x. Epub 2020 May 4.

  PMID: 32367254 DERIVED

• Mantyselka A, Lindi V, Viitasalo A, Eloranta AM, Agren J, Vaisanen S, Voutilainen R, Laitinen T, Lakka TA, Jaaskelainen J. Associations of Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate With Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Prepubertal Children. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2018 Jul 1;103(7):2592-2600. doi: 10.1210/jc.2018-00184.

  PMID: 29757399 DERIVED

• Soininen S, Eloranta AM, Viitasalo A, Dion G, Erkkila A, Sidoroff V, Lindi V, Mahonen A, Lakka TA. Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D, Plasma Lipids, and Associated Gene Variants in Prepubertal Children. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2018 Jul 1;103(7):2670-2679. doi: 10.1210/jc.2018-00335.

  PMID: 29750416 DERIVED

• Mantyselka A, Jaaskelainen J, Eloranta AM, Vaisto J, Voutilainen R, Ong K, Brage S, Lakka TA, Lindi V. Associations of lifestyle factors with serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and insulin-like growth factor-1 concentration in prepubertal children. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2018 Feb;88(2):234-242. doi: 10.1111/cen.13511. Epub 2017 Nov 29.

  PMID: 29112780 DERIVED

• Haapala EA, Eloranta AM, Venalainen T, Jalkanen H, Poikkeus AM, Ahonen T, Lindi V, Lakka TA. Diet quality and academic achievement: a prospective study among primary school children. Eur J Nutr. 2017 Oct;56(7):2299-2308. doi: 10.1007/s00394-016-1270-5. Epub 2016 Sep 9.

  PMID: 27612875 DERIVED

• Venalainen TM, Viitasalo AM, Schwab US, Eloranta AM, Haapala EA, Jalkanen HP, de Mello VD, Laaksonen DE, Lindi VI, Agren JJ, Lakka TA. Effect of a 2-y dietary and physical activity intervention on plasma fatty acid composition and estimated desaturase and elongase activities in children: the Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children Study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2016 Oct;104(4):964-972. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.116.136580. Epub 2016 Aug 31.

  PMID: 27581473 DERIVED

• Collings PJ, Westgate K, Vaisto J, Wijndaele K, Atkin AJ, Haapala EA, Lintu N, Laitinen T, Ekelund U, Brage S, Lakka TA. Cross-Sectional Associations of Objectively-Measured Physical Activity and Sedentary Time with Body Composition and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Mid-Childhood: The PANIC Study. Sports Med. 2017 Apr;47(4):769-780. doi: 10.1007/s40279-016-0606-x.

  PMID: 27558140 DERIVED

• Lintu N, Savonen K, Viitasalo A, Tompuri T, Paananen J, Tarvainen MP, Lakka T. Determinants of Cardiorespiratory Fitness in a Population Sample of Girls and Boys Aged 6 to 8 Years. J Phys Act Health. 2016 Nov;13(11):1149-1155. doi: 10.1123/jpah.2015-0644. Epub 2016 Aug 24.

  PMID: 27334557 DERIVED

• Viitasalo A, Eloranta AM, Lintu N, Vaisto J, Venalainen T, Kiiskinen S, Karjalainen P, Peltola J, Lampinen EK, Haapala EA, Paananen J, Schwab U, Lindi V, Lakka TA. The effects of a 2-year individualized and family-based lifestyle intervention on physical activity, sedentary behavior and diet in children. Prev Med. 2016 Jun;87:81-88. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2016.02.027. Epub 2016 Feb 23.

  PMID: 26915641 DERIVED

• Haapala EA, Lintu N, Vaisto J, Robinson LE, Viitasalo A, Lindi V, Lakka TA. Associations of Physical Performance and Adiposity with Cognition in Children. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2015 Oct;47(10):2166-74. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000000652.

  PMID: 26030086 DERIVED

• Haapala EA, Poikkeus AM, Kukkonen-Harjula K, Tompuri T, Lintu N, Vaisto J, Leppanen PH, Laaksonen DE, Lindi V, Lakka TA. Associations of physical activity and sedentary behavior with academic skills--a follow-up study among primary school children. PLoS One. 2014 Sep 10;9(9):e107031. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0107031. eCollection 2014.

  PMID: 25207813 DERIVED

• Vaisto J, Eloranta AM, Viitasalo A, Tompuri T, Lintu N, Karjalainen P, Lampinen EK, Agren J, Laaksonen DE, Lakka HM, Lindi V, Lakka TA. Physical activity and sedentary behaviour in relation to cardiometabolic risk in children: cross-sectional findings from the Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children (PANIC) Study. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2014 Apr 26;11:55. doi: 10.1186/1479-5868-11-55.

  PMID: 24766669 DERIVED

Related Links

• Detailed information about the PANIC study from the webpages of University of Eastern Finland

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Overweight; Glucose Metabolism Disorders; Lipid Metabolism Disorders; Atherosclerosis; Motor Activity; Sedentary Behavior; Obesity; Insulin Resistance; Depression; Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Overnutrition; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases; Body Weight; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Metabolic Diseases; Arteriosclerosis; Arterial Occlusive Diseases; Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Behavior; Hyperinsulinism; Behavioral Symptoms; Neurologic Manifestations

Study Officials

• Timo A Lakka, MD

  University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio campus

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor of Medical Physiology

Model Details: A single-centre controlled trial in which the participants are allocated to a combined physical activity and dietary intervention group and a control group

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 21, 2013
• First Posted: March 4, 2013
• Study Start: October 1, 2007
• Primary Completion: December 1, 2023
• Study Completion: December 1, 2023
• Last Updated: July 28, 2020

Record last verified: 2020-07

Locations

FI (1)