Search

Study Question: Can we develop a preconception lifestyle programme for couples undergoing IVF that is in line with their needs.Summary Answer: A mobile preconception lifestyle programme was systematically developed based on expert opinion, literature and needs of IVF-patients.What Is Known Already: A healthy lifestyle prior to conception is not only beneficial for the general health of couples, but evidence on its importance for their reproductive health and the health of their children is also emerging. So far, the vast majority of fertility clinics do not offer a lifestyle programme for couples undergoing IVF. Therefore, the present study aimed to develop a lifestyle programme for IVF-couples.Study Design, Size, Duration: The development of the PreLiFe-programme was guided by the steps of the Medical Research Council (MRC) framework for developing complex interventions, a systematic approach for developing theory- and evidence-based health promotion interventions.Participants/materials, Settings, Methods: First, the evidence base on lifestyle programmes for IVF-couples was reviewed. Second, several iterations between an expert panel, the literature, and quantitative and qualitative data from IVF-patients identified the content, the format, behaviour change techniques and theory of the programme. Third, the PreLiFe-programme was produced and the expected process and outcomes of a randomized controlled trial assessing it were modelled. Finally, user tests among experts and patients and pilot tests among patients were conducted.Main Results and Role Of Chance: The finally developed PreLiFe-programme is a mobile application to be used autonomously by both partners of IVF-couples during the first year of IVF, in combination with motivational interviewing over the telephone every three months (i.e. blended care). The PreLiFe-programme provides advice and skills training on physical activity, diet and mindfulness based stress reduction and is in part tailored based on monitoring and tracking the lifestyle of patients. Based on the literature the expert panel considers it plausible that all three components contribute to IVF-success rates. The PreLiFe-programme is likely to be acceptable to patients as it meets the need of patients for lifestyle advice and treatment information.Limitations, Reason For Caution: The pilot in IVF-couples had a 3-month duration. The feasibility of the PreLiFe-programme in other infertile populations and/or upon longer use is yet to be examined. Whether the PreLiFe-programme effectively improves lifestyle and IVF-success rates is currently being examined in a trial randomizing heterosexual couples starting IVF to the PreLiFe-programme or an attention-control group for 12 months.Wider Implications Of the Findings: If the PreLiFe-programme improves lifestyle and the chance of IVF-success, it will be a powerful tool and provide guidance for implementing lifestyle programmes in fertility clinics.Study Funding/competing Interest(s): Funded by the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO-TBM (Applied Biomedical Research with a Primary Social finality); reference: T005417N). The authors have no conflict of interest to report.Trial Registration Number: NCT03790449. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM) of the Joint Research Centre (JRC), a Directorate General of the European Commission, operates the International Measurement Evaluation Program (IMEP). IMEP organises inter-laboratory comparisons in support of European Union policies. This paper presents the results of two proficiency tests (PTs): IMEP-116 and IMEP-39, organised for the determination of total Cd, Pb, As, Hg and inorganic As (iAs) in mushrooms. Participation in IMEP-116 was restricted to National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) officially appointed by national authorities in European Union member states. IMEP-39 was open to all other laboratories wishing to participate. Thirty-seven participants from 25 countries reported results in IMEP-116, and 62 laboratories from 36 countries reported for the IMEP-39 study. Both PTs were organised in support to Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006, which sets the maximum levels for certain contaminants in food. The test item used in both PTs was a blend of mushrooms of the variety shiitake (Lentinula edodes). Five laboratories, with demonstrated measurement capability in the field, provided results to establish the assigned values (Xref). The standard uncertainties associated to the assigned values (uref) were calculated by combining the uncertainty of the characterisation (uchar) with a contribution for homogeneity (ubb) and for stability (ust), whilstucharwas calculated following ISO 13528. Laboratory results were rated withz- and zeta (ζ)-scores in accordance with ISO 13528. The standard deviation for proficiency assessment,σp, ranged from 10% to 20% depending on the analyte. The percentage of satisfactoryz-scores ranged from 81% (iAs) to 97% (total Cd) in IMEP-116 and from 64% (iAs) to 84% (total Hg) in IMEP-39. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Inactivity, overweight and malnutrition rank among the most frequent risk factors concerning the healthy development of children. The project "children today" focuses on physical activity, eating habits and media consumption of ten-year-old children. The complex interaction of these lifestyle elements is described and analysed on the basis of international survey data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]