BLOOM (English)

If you have a child aged 8-9 and want to help us learn more about how we promote well-being, good eating habits and a good childhood, our study is for you! Send us an email at: RHP-FP-bloom@regionh.dk

What is BLOOM?

In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in mental health challenges among children and young people, with some experts even referring to it as a mental wellbeing crisis. To address this, innovative interventions are crucial, focusing on both promoting wellbeing and preventing mental health issues.

The BLOOM study aims to identify protective factors that shield children from mental health and eating disorders, as well as risk factors that may contribute to these problems. Understanding these factors is essential for developing preventive interventions to mitigate mental health issues at the earliest possible stage. The study also involves the parents of the children, recognizing the important role they play in their children’s mental wellbeing.

Children

Children will be invited to join the study when they are 8-9 years old, then again when they are 10-11 years old, and finally when they are 13-14 years old.

The children will be asked to complete various tasks during the study. These include cognitive tests, a body scan (DXA scan), some biological tests (including an optional MRI brain scan) and some well-being questionnaires.

Mothers

Mothers will be asked to complete various questionnaires about their own wellbeing, their family dynamics and their child's wellbeing. Mothers have the option of completing all of these assessments at home, or they can choose to complete some of them at the centre while their child is being assessed.

Fathers/Secondary caregivers

The fathers or secondary caregivers will be asked to complete questionnaires about their family dynamics and their child's wellbeing. This can be done on the day of their child's assessment or at home.

LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP

This project will last for 6 years so we can follow the children's development. We will include families in the first two years of the project and then continue to follow up with them for the following 4 years.

Important information

The psychologists, nurses and other research staff conducting the study will not mention eating disorders to the child at any point during the study.

We have obtained all necessary ethical authorisations to conduct the study from relevant governing bodies.

We always organise an information meeting to explain the study in more detail to all parents before they decide whether or not their family should participate, and they can ask questions at any time. Participation is completely voluntary and you can withdraw from the study at any time without giving any reason.

All research staff involved in the study will always prioritise the wellbeing of the children above all else. If we find worrying results, we will counsel parents about this and make referrals to child and adolescent psychiatry if appropriate.

Information about results

All individuals' responses will be completely anonymous. Once the project is completed, a summary of the research findings will be written and distributed to interested families who participated.

This project is funded through a grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation. All families will be compensated for their participation and the children will receive a thank you gift.