Random forest analysis in identifying the importance of obesity risk factors

The aim of this study was to assess the association between OGTT glucose levels and requirement of pharmacotherapy in GDM patients classified by the IADPSG criteria. This study included 203 GDM patients (108 managed with lifestyle modification and 95 requiring pharmacotherapy). Clinical risk factors and OGTT glucose concentrations at 0 (G0), 60 (G60), and 120 min (G120) were collected. OGTT glucose levels were significantly associated with the later requirement of pharmacotherapy (ROC-AUC: 71.1, 95% CI: 63.8–78.3). Also, the combination of clinical risk factors (age, BMI, parity, and pharmacotherapy in previous gestation) showed an acceptable predictive accuracy (ROC-AUC: 72.1, 95% CI: 65.0–79.2), which was further improved when glycemic parameters were added (ROC-AUC: 77.5, 95% CI: 71.5–83.9). Random forest analysis revealed the highest variable importance for G0, G60, and age. OGTT glucose measures in addition to clinical risk factors showed promising properties for risk stratification in GDM patients classified by the recently established IADPSG criteria.

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Prevention Across the Spectrum: a randomized controlled trial of three programs to reduce risk factors for both eating disorders and obesity

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s003329171400289x ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 45 (9) ◽

pp. 1811-1823 ◽

Cited By ~ 58

Author(s):

S. M. Wilksch ◽

S. J. Paxton ◽

S. M. Byrne ◽

S.B. Austin ◽

S. A. McLean ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Control Group ◽

Obesity Risk ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Obesity Risk Factors ◽

Clinically Significant ◽

Perceived Pressure

BackgroundA randomized controlled trial of three school-based programs and a no-intervention control group was conducted to evaluate their efficacy in reducing eating disorder and obesity risk factors.MethodA total of 1316 grade 7 and 8 girls and boys (mean age = 13.21 years) across three Australian states were randomly allocated to: Media Smart; Life Smart; the Helping, Encouraging, Listening and Protecting Peers (HELPP) initiative; or control (usual school class). Risk factors were measured at baseline, post-program (5 weeks later), and at the 6- and 12-month follow-ups.ResultsMedia Smart girls had half the rate of onset of clinically significant concerns about shape and weight than control girls at the 12-month follow-up. Media Smart and HELPP girls reported significantly lower weight and shape concern than Life Smart girls at the 12-month follow-up. Media Smart and control girls scored significantly lower than HELPP girls on eating concerns and perceived pressure at the 6-month follow-up. Media Smart and HELPP boys experienced significant benefit on media internalization compared with control boys and these were sustained at the 12-month follow-up in Media Smart boys. A group × time effect found that Media Smart participants reported more physical activity than control and HELPP participants at the 6-month follow-up, while a main effect for group found Media Smart participants reported less screen time than controls.ConclusionsMedia Smart was the only program to show benefit on both disordered eating and obesity risk factors. Whilst further investigations are indicated, this study suggests that this program is a promising approach to reducing risk factors for both problems.

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