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Monitoring trends in childhood obesity: a simple school-based model
R S Levine1, R G Feltbower, A-M Connor
1Academic Unit of Paediatrics, University of Leeds, Belmont House, 3/5 Belmont Grove, Leeds, UK. ronnielevine@onetel.com
Public Health
|October 12, 2007
Summary
A new school-based monitoring scheme effectively tracks childhood obesity trends in UK primary schools. Specially trained healthcare support workers (HCSWs) can implement this inexpensive and viable method.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Child Health
Background:
- UK Government set a 2010 target to halt rising childhood obesity.
- No established monitoring process existed when the target was set.
- English Department of Health issued guidelines for annual child measurements.
Purpose of the Study:
- Develop an affordable, school-based monitoring system for childhood obesity trends.
- Ensure the scheme is suitable for national implementation.
- Establish a reliable method for tracking obesity in children.
Main Methods:
- Pilot study in 10 schools (2004), followed by implementation in 25 primary and 3 secondary schools (2005).
- Height and weight measurements taken by trained healthcare support workers (HCSWs).
- Measurements collected from primary school reception/year 4 and secondary school year 8 children (approx. 5, 8, 13 years old).
Main Results:
- Monitoring in primary schools was successful, causing no disruption or distress.
- Monitoring in secondary schools proved impractical.
- Cost analysis showed an estimated cost under £1.50 per primary school child.
Conclusions:
- The developed model is a viable method for monitoring childhood obesity trends.
- Monitoring should focus on primary schools.
- Trained HCSWs are recommended over school nurses for conducting measurements.
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