Heavey PM, Viljoen K, O’Brien J, Murrin C and Kelleher C

• To provide accurate, reliable and timely information in an accessible form at short notice

• To monitor trends in health status correlated with all aspects of the food chain and advise on these findings for health planners

• To provide a source of information and research expertise, particularly in nutritional epidemiology and surveillance methodology to those wishing to mount specific projects such as micro-surveys

WHO Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative

Lifeways Cross Generation Cohort Study

The growing problem of obesity in children is not unique to Ireland and the World Health Organisation (WHO) has recently issued recommendations and guidelines for regular collection of data on weight, height and waist and hip circumference in children worldwide

The Department of Health and Children and

the Health Service Executive commissioned the National Nutrition Surveillance Centre, to carry out this work in the Republic of Ireland

• The core objective is to measure in primary school children: –Weight, height and waist circumference– Prevalence of normal weight, overweight,

obesity and mean BMI

• To measure trends in overweight and obesity in children:– To have a correct understanding of the progress

of the epidemic– To compare within the WHO European Region

Two rounds of data collection (2008 and 2010) In 2008, only 7 year old children were measured

In 2010, this was extended to include measuring both 7 and 9 year old children

In addition, further data collection on the children’s diet and lifestyle was collected (Family Survey)

School principals were also interviewed to gather information about the school environment and any school policies regarding physical activity and healthy eating

Response rate at each level:

School Parent Child

Childhood obesity- sensitive issue

In communication with schools, parents and children- referred to growth surveillance

Provided free phone numbers and email for queries and questions from both schools and parents

Training of Nutritionists/Dieticians (Females)

Measurements -2 trained Dieticians present

In total 16 Nutritionists were recruited to carry out the fieldwork in the schools

They were recruited from around the country so that they could visit schools that were in their locality

All Nutritionists worked in teams of two Nutritionists were invited to attend one of three

training days They attended a one-day training session in

anthropometric measurements and data collection following a standardised protocol drawn up by the WHO

Schools were geomapped and teams were located around the country

Measurements took place at time convenient for the school

All letters/ forms approved by NALA (National Adult Literacy Agency)

All forms translated into Irish and Polish

All measurements were done in a private room or behind screens to ensure confidentiality and privacy (2 people present)

Parents were made aware that they could be present

Provided parents with results on request

163 schools took part in the first round of the WHO Surveillance Initiative

These same schools were invited to participate in the second round

All schools were sent an initial letter, information pack and school consent form

Reminder letter followed by a phone call In total 131 schools consented to taking part

which was a response rate of 80% The majority of schools that did not consent gave

the reason that there was too much going on in the school at that time and many of the schools were undergoing renovation/extensions so it was not suitable at this time

A total of six thousand, three hundred and sixty three children were on the school register for both 1st and 3rd class

4038 children were measured (63.46%)

2075 parents did not consent (32.6%)

24 children refused to be measured on the day (0.37%)

226 children were absent (3.55%)

Lifeways is a unique cohort study, designed to capture Irish longitudinal life-course data, by recruiting three generations of the same family

1082 mothers were recruited from two maternity hospitals in Ireland (Dublin and Galway)

Children were measured at birth Follow up at 5 years-children were measured in

their own homes Follow up at 9 years –ongoing

Measurement of children took place in own home

Carried out by trained Dieticians

Response rate of 49%

To maintain response rate- Family doctor will carry out the measurements

Parents more likely to respond to ‘free’ medical check up by doctor

Created Facebook page, website Twitter, Newsletters, greeting cards

All letters/communication checked by NALA To date >400 of the 500 families have consented

to participate in this round Geomapping of Family Practices to co-ordinate

efficient data collection

Thank You

Any questions?