Critical design features for establishing a childhood obesity monitoring program in Australia
Kathleen E. Lacy A I , Melanie S. Nichols B , Andrea M. de Silva C D , Steven E. Allender B , Boyd A. Swinburn E F , Eva R. Leslie G , Laura V. Jones B and Peter J. Kremer HA Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus, Locked Bag 20000, Geelong, Vic. 3220, Australia.
B WHO Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention, Deakin University, Geelong Waterfront Campus, Locked Bag 20001, Geelong, Vic. 3220, Australia.
C Centre Applied Oral Health Research, Dental Health Services Victoria, 720 Swanston Street, Carlton, Vic. 3053, Australia.
D Melbourne Dental School, The University of Melbourne, 720 Swanston Street, Carlton, Vic. 3053, Australia.
E School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Tamaki Building 730, Level 3, Room 730-351, Tamaki Campus Gate 1, 261 Morrin Road, Auckland 1072, St Johns, New Zealand.
F WHO Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention, Deakin University, Melbourne Burwood Campus, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Vic. 3125, Australia.
G Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
H School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus, Locked Bag 20000, Geelong, Vic. 3220, Australia.
I Corresponding author. Email: katie.lacy@deakin.edu.au
Australian Journal of Primary Health 21(4) 369-372 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY15052
Submitted: 19 March 2015 Accepted: 7 July 2015 Published: 9 September 2015
Abstract
Efforts to combat childhood obesity in Australia are hampered by the lack of quality epidemiological data to routinely monitor the prevalence and distribution of the condition. This paper summarises the literature on issues relevant to childhood obesity monitoring and makes recommendations for implementing a school-based childhood obesity monitoring program in Australia. The primary purpose of such a program would be to collect population-level health data to inform both policy and the development and evaluation of community-based obesity prevention interventions. Recommendations are made for the types of data to be collected, data collection procedures and program management and evaluation. Data from an obesity monitoring program are crucial for directing and informing policies, practices and services, identifying subgroups at greatest risk of obesity and evaluating progress towards meeting obesity-related targets. Such data would also increase the community awareness necessary to foster change.
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