Identifying priority areas for longitudinal research in childhood obesity: Delphi technique survey

Abstract

In 2005, the Australian Child and Adolescent Obesity Research Network (ACAORN) addressed the question, "What childhood and adolescent obesity research questions remain to be addressed through longitudinal research?" Using the Delphi Technique, ACAORN members individually generated then refined and prioritised a set of research ideas. When delegates to a national child obesity symposium repeated the final (prioritisation) step, a strong concordance in rankings was evident. The highest-priority questions related to modifiable environmental risk/ protective factors; parental and family factors; longitudinal relationships between development of obesity and physical, social and mental health; pre..