Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026

ODELAY: A Large-scale Method for Multi-parameter Quantification of Yeast Growth
Published on: July 3, 2017
Insights
Regular measurement of children's height and weight is crucial for detecting growth issues and nutritional risks. Despite interventions, practice changes were minimal, indicating a need for new strategies to improve this vital healthcare aspect.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Regular measurement of children's height and weight is essential for identifying growth problems and nutritional status.
- Opportunistic measurements are recommended during routine healthcare visits.
- Variations in practice necessitated the development of new guidelines and interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving the consistency of children's height and weight measurements.
- To identify barriers to consistent growth assessment practices in a pediatric unit.
Main Methods:
- Development and implementation of guidelines.
- Purchase of new measurement equipment.
- Educational strategies and introduction of a growth link nurse role.
- Repeat audits to assess changes in practice.
Main Results:
- Implemented interventions including guidelines, new equipment, education, and a specialized role did not lead to desired practice changes.
- Growth assessment, though simple and informative, is often perceived as a low priority by some healthcare professionals.
Conclusions:
- Current approaches were insufficient to improve consistent growth assessment practices.
- Novel strategies are required to enhance the priority and implementation of children's growth monitoring in healthcare settings.
Abstract:
Measurement of children's height and weight at regular intervals is important for identifying growth problems as well as for planning health promotion interventions for those at risk from under or over nutrition. Opportunistic measurement is recommended when children are seen by healthcare professionals for other reasons. Identification of variations in practice around measurement of height and weight in a children's unit led to the development of guidelines, purchase of new equipment, implementation of educational strategies and introduction of a growth link nurse role. Repeat audit revealed that these approaches did not bring about the desired changes in practice. Growth assessment is a quick, non invasive procedure that can provide valuable information about the general health and well being of the child but is perceived as a low priority by some healthcare professionals. Different approaches are needed to improve this important aspect of health care for children.
Related Concept Videos
Microbial Growth Measurement: Indirect Methods
Nature and Nurture
Population Growth
Microbial Growth Measurement: Direct Methods
Exponential Equations for Modeling Growth
Bacterial Growth Curve

