Healthy Kids Healthy Families
Currently, one in four children aged 5 – 12 years old in NSW are overweight or obese. Traditional therapies focussing on the overweight child give the child and their family the unrealistic expectation that the child is responsible to change. This stigmatises the child and adds to a low self esteem and results in a high withdrawal rate from therapy. Evidence indicates that group programs for weight loss are the most effective, and in the case of children, groups where parents are the main agents for change are the most effective. There are currently no group programs, family based or otherwise for children on the North Coast of NSW. The program proposed comprises of a family-based weight management program, first modelled on The Family Weight Management Program developed at Westmead Children’s Hospital in 1998, then further reviewed and improved at Orange in western NSW. The program runs at night for two hours over 9 weeks and covers topics including:
- healthy eating for the family;
- recipe modifications;
- behaviour modifications;
- managing overeating; and
- building self-esteem.
Results from the program conducted at Westmead indicate a significant decrease in BMI’s of children and their siblings post-intervention (The Family Weight Management Program Manual, 2002).
In Lismore, it will be run by a team of community health staff; community dietitian; school health nurse and occupational therapist. With the exception of the community nutritionist, all positions will be participating in the program as part of their usual workload.
Parents of children will participate in the workshops while children take part in active play with the occupational therapist. . The purpose of the active play sessions is to increase physical activity at home and improve flexibility, strength, endurance and co-ordination. On two occasions the children and parents work together in interactive workshops.
Aims and objectives
Aim
To provide a cost effective treatment program for overweight or obese children aged 5 – 12 years and their families.
Objectives
- To decrease the waist circumference and reduce BMI toward the ideal of overweight and obese children attending the Program
- To reduce sedentary activities and increase physical activity levels of children and families participating in the program
- To improve the flexibility, strength, endurance and coordination of overweight or obese children participating in the program
- Families will decrease intake of high fat or high sugar drinks, snacks and meals and increase intake of fruits, vegetables and water.
- To promote more effective parenting styles that improve family lifestyle behaviour
Expected outcomes
It is expected that children will:
- reduce body mass index toward the ideal level for age,
- reduce waist circumference,
- decrease sedentary activities,
- increase physical activity,
- decrease intake of high fat or high sugar drinks, snacks and meals and
- increase intake of fruits, vegetables and water.
We also aim for improvements in children’s self image and positive changes in parenting styles.
Key performance indicators
The success of the project will be measured by:
Process Evaluation
Parents and children’s participating rates and satisfaction with the course will be monitored.
Impact Evaluation
Changes in activity, dietary intakes and parenting styles will be reported
by parents
Changes in children’s self image will be measured using validated tools.
Outcome Evaluation
Body mass index and waist circumference will be measured pre and post course. Parents may also elect for their children to have free medical assessments by the Community Paediatrician which will test for indicators of diabetes, some nutrient deficiencies, endocrine disorders and abnormal blood lipid levels. Any changes in these indicators will be monitored.
Progress
As approval and funding for the project were only made available in early 2008 the project did not begin until April 2008. Key Performance Indicators have not been able to be met as yet as a treatment group is still in the planning stages.
To date the following has been achieved:
• Employment of a Project Officer in May 08
• Establishment of a Steering committee
• Comprehensive literature review
• Review of available programs for purchase and implementation
• Identification of a suitable program to meet the specific needs of the
target group, performance indicators and our community
• Conference attendance on child nutrition by project officer
• Dissemination of advertising material to schools, GP’s, Paediatricians
to identify suitable children for inclusion in the program
• Planning for a training workshop for local GP’s in August 08
• Group planned to begin in August/September 08
For more information contact:
Mignon Halford
Community Nutritionist
02 6620 7553