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All Outputs (23)

Children and young people’s perceptions of energy drinks: A qualitative study (2017)
Journal Article
Visram, S., Crossley, S. J., Cheetham, M., & Lake, A. (2017). Children and young people’s perceptions of energy drinks: A qualitative study. PLoS ONE, 12(11), Article e0188668. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0188668

Consumption of soft drinks is declining in many countries, yet energy drink sales continue to increase, particularly amongst young consumers. Little is currently known about the drivers behind these trends. Energy drinks are high in sugar and caffein... Read More about Children and young people’s perceptions of energy drinks: A qualitative study.

Impact and acceptability of lay health trainer-led lifestyle interventions delivered in primary care: a mixed method study (2017)
Journal Article
Visram, S. (2017). Impact and acceptability of lay health trainer-led lifestyle interventions delivered in primary care: a mixed method study. Primary Health Care Research & Development, 18(4), 333-343. https://doi.org/10.1017/s146342361700010x

To evaluate the impact and acceptability of offering one-to-one lifestyle interventions delivered by lay health trainers in the primary care setting. Chronic conditions represent major causes of ill-health, avoidable disability, pain and anxiety, and... Read More about Impact and acceptability of lay health trainer-led lifestyle interventions delivered in primary care: a mixed method study.

Consumption of energy drinks by children and young people: a rapid review examining evidence of physical effects and consumer attitudes (2016)
Journal Article
Visram, S., Cheetham, M., Riby, D., Crossley, S., & Lake, A. (2016). Consumption of energy drinks by children and young people: a rapid review examining evidence of physical effects and consumer attitudes. BMJ Open, 6(10), Article e010380. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010380

Objective To examine patterns of energy drink consumption by children and young people, attitudes towards these drinks, and any associations with health or other outcomes. Design Rapid evidence assessment and narrative synthesis. Data sources 9 elect... Read More about Consumption of energy drinks by children and young people: a rapid review examining evidence of physical effects and consumer attitudes.

Mechanisms of change of a novel weight loss programme provided by a third sector organisation: a qualitative interview study (2016)
Journal Article
McMahon, N., Visram, S., & Connell, L. (2016). Mechanisms of change of a novel weight loss programme provided by a third sector organisation: a qualitative interview study. BMC Public Health, 16(1), Article 378. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-3063-4

Background There is a need for theory-driven studies that explore the underlying mechanisms of change of complex weight loss programmes. Such studies will contribute to the existing evidence-base on how these programmes work and thus inform the futur... Read More about Mechanisms of change of a novel weight loss programme provided by a third sector organisation: a qualitative interview study.

Energy drinks: what's the evidence? (2016)
Preprint / Working Paper
Visram, S., & Hashem, K. Energy drinks: what's the evidence?

The UK, in common with many other countries, has seen a rapid rise in the per capita consumption of energy drinks in the last few years. Energy drinks (soft drinks containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre) are made up of water, caffeine, suga... Read More about Energy drinks: what's the evidence?.

Can lay health trainers increase uptake of NHS Health Checks in hard-to-reach populations? A mixed-method pilot evaluation (2014)
Journal Article
Visram, S., Carr, S., & Geddes, L. (2015). Can lay health trainers increase uptake of NHS Health Checks in hard-to-reach populations? A mixed-method pilot evaluation. Journal of Public Health, 37(2), 226-233. https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdu041

Background The NHS Health Check Programme was launched in England in 2009, offering a vascular risk assessment to people aged 40–74 years without established disease. Socio-economic deprivation is associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease... Read More about Can lay health trainers increase uptake of NHS Health Checks in hard-to-reach populations? A mixed-method pilot evaluation.

Exploring conceptualisations of knowledge translation, transfer and exchange across public health in one UK region: a qualitative mapping study (2014)
Journal Article
Visram, S., Goodall, D., & Steven, A. (2014). Exploring conceptualisations of knowledge translation, transfer and exchange across public health in one UK region: a qualitative mapping study. Public Health, 128(6), 497-503. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2014.02.001

Objectives Knowledge translation (KT) is becoming common vocabulary, but as a concept it is not clearly defined. Many related terms exist; these are often used interchangeably and given multiple interpretations. While there is a growing body of liter... Read More about Exploring conceptualisations of knowledge translation, transfer and exchange across public health in one UK region: a qualitative mapping study.

Making and maintaining lifestyle changes with the support of a lay health advisor: longitudinal qualitative study of health trainer services in northern England (2014)
Journal Article
Visram, S., Clarke, C., & White, M. (2014). Making and maintaining lifestyle changes with the support of a lay health advisor: longitudinal qualitative study of health trainer services in northern England. PLoS ONE, 9(5), Article e94749. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0094749

Objective: To explore and document the experiences of those receiving support from a lay health trainer, in order to inform the optimisation and evaluation of such interventions. Design: Longitudinal qualitative study with up to four serial interview... Read More about Making and maintaining lifestyle changes with the support of a lay health advisor: longitudinal qualitative study of health trainer services in northern England.

Cost-effectiveness of health-related lifestyle advice delivered by peer or lay advisors: synthesis of evidence from a systematic review (2013)
Journal Article
Pennington, M., Visram, S., Donaldson, C., White, M., Lhussier, M., Deane, K., …Carr, S. (2013). Cost-effectiveness of health-related lifestyle advice delivered by peer or lay advisors: synthesis of evidence from a systematic review. Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation, 11, https://doi.org/10.1186/1478-7547-11-30

Background: Development of new peer or lay health-related lifestyle advisor (HRLA) roles is one response to the need to enhance public engagement in, and improve cost-effectiveness of, health improvement interventions. This article synthesises eviden... Read More about Cost-effectiveness of health-related lifestyle advice delivered by peer or lay advisors: synthesis of evidence from a systematic review.

A lifestyle change, not a forever diet: one service user’s experience of accessing a local health trainer service (2013)
Journal Article
Scurr, C., & Visram, S. (2013). A lifestyle change, not a forever diet: one service user’s experience of accessing a local health trainer service. Perspectives in Public Health, 133(4), https://doi.org/10.1177/1757913913490851

Carol Scurr accessed her local health trainer service in Newcastle-upon-Tyne between 2009 and 2011. Here, Carol and Shelina Visram, from Durham University, tell us how she learnt to manage her weight with the help of Choose 2 Lose, a group set up by... Read More about A lifestyle change, not a forever diet: one service user’s experience of accessing a local health trainer service.

Building an evidence base for health trainers (2013)
Journal Article
Visram, S., & South, J. (2013). Building an evidence base for health trainers. Perspectives in Public Health, 133(4), 193-194. https://doi.org/10.1177/1757913913492297

Programmes involving some form of lay or community health worker role have been widely used to provide basic healthcare and health promotion activities to so-called ‘hard to reach’ populations. Rather than making themselves hard to reach, these popul... Read More about Building an evidence base for health trainers.

Getting the balance right : qualitative evaluation of a holistic weight management intervention to address childhood obesity (2013)
Journal Article
Visram, S., Hall, T., & Geddes, L. (2013). Getting the balance right : qualitative evaluation of a holistic weight management intervention to address childhood obesity. Journal of Public Health, 35(2), 246-254. https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fds075

Background: Childhood obesity is linked to a range of health and social problems. Solutions include the delivery of appropriate weight management interventions for those aged 16 and under. The ‘Balance It! Getting the Balance Right’ programme appears... Read More about Getting the balance right : qualitative evaluation of a holistic weight management intervention to address childhood obesity.

An evidence synthesis of qualitative and quantitative research on component intervention techniques, effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, equity and acceptability of different versions of health-related lifestyle advisor role in improving health (2011)
Journal Article
Carr, S., Lhussier, M., Forster, N., Geddes, L., Deane, K., Pennington, M., …Hildreth, A. (2011). An evidence synthesis of qualitative and quantitative research on component intervention techniques, effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, equity and acceptability of different versions of health-related lifestyle advisor role in improving health. Health Technology Assessment, 15(9), 1-300. https://doi.org/10.3310/hta15090

Background: There is a need to identify and analyse the range of models developed to date for delivering health-related lifestyle advice (HRLA), or training, for effectiveness and cost-effectiveness in improving the health and well-being of individua... Read More about An evidence synthesis of qualitative and quantitative research on component intervention techniques, effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, equity and acceptability of different versions of health-related lifestyle advisor role in improving health.

Short and medium term effects of a community-based intervention to address social inequalities in health (2011)
Journal Article
Visram, S., Clarke, C., & White, M. (2011). Short and medium term effects of a community-based intervention to address social inequalities in health. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 65, Article A17. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech.2011.143586.38

Background: Health Trainers were introduced in the 2004 ‘Choosing Health’ White Paper with the aim of promoting healthy lifestyle behaviours amongst people living in disadvantaged areas. This is achieved through the use of techniques based on evidenc... Read More about Short and medium term effects of a community-based intervention to address social inequalities in health.

Tell me about your childhood...using life grids to gather information on health-related behaviours and experiences across the life course (2011)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Visram, S., Clarke, C., & White, M. (2011, December). Tell me about your childhood...using life grids to gather information on health-related behaviours and experiences across the life course. Presented at 17th Qualitative Health Research Conference, Vancouver, Canada

Socio-economic status and conditions are known to be key determinants of health and inequality. These factors exert influence over the life course, with both past and present health experiences being shaped by the wider social, economic and cultural... Read More about Tell me about your childhood...using life grids to gather information on health-related behaviours and experiences across the life course.

A qualitative longitudinal approach to exploring service user experiences of lay-led heath improvement interventions (2011)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Visram, S., Clarke, C., & White, M. (2011, December). A qualitative longitudinal approach to exploring service user experiences of lay-led heath improvement interventions. Presented at 17th Qualitative Health Research Conference, Vancouver, Canada

Lay health advisors (LHAs) have been widely used to deliver primary care and health promotion programmes. Although there is some data to support their efficacy, reviews have consistently found insufficient evidence to assess which LHA strategies are... Read More about A qualitative longitudinal approach to exploring service user experiences of lay-led heath improvement interventions.

P60 “It's like the service that was never there” : a qualitative longitudinal study of lay health trainer services in the North East of England (2010)
Journal Article
Visram, S., Clarke, C., & White, M. (2010). P60 “It's like the service that was never there” : a qualitative longitudinal study of lay health trainer services in the North East of England. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 64(Suppl 1), Article A57. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech.2010.120477.60

Background: Despite considerable improvements in the overall health of the UK population, the gap between the richest and poorest groups in society continues to widen. Health Trainers are a new workforce introduced in the 2004 ‘Choosing Health’ White... Read More about P60 “It's like the service that was never there” : a qualitative longitudinal study of lay health trainer services in the North East of England.