Childhood Obesity Database Publication

The publication of the National Childhood Obesity Database is the largest database of its kind with the potential to allow tracking and analysis of childhood obesity. This will, in turn, enable more local, targeted interventions to tackle obesity.

Bernadine O’ Sullivan, Consultant in Public Health for Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale highlights some of the work done locally to tackle childhood obesity. She said: “Both predecessor PCTs were ahead of the game collecting childhood obesity data a year before it was required and this started to give us a sense of the picture locally. We held a half day workshop early in 2006 to present our findings and engage partners in starting to address local issues which was well attended by a range of organizations.

“This year we were able to weigh and measure just under 80% of reception and year 6 children throughout the last academic year. Our involvement in the national programme was excellent thanks to the hard work of school health practitioners across the Borough.

“Almost 12% of children in both year groups were found to be obese in the  last academic year, which is below the average for Greater Manchester as a whole, so whilst we do have a local problem with childhood obesity we were pleased to find that we compare favourably to other areas in the region. We now have a stronger baseline from which to monitor our progress.

“More work is now being done locally and further detailed analysis of the data will be available in the New Year. This will give a more accurate local picture across Rochdale Borough by examining the variations in obesity between boys and girls and in different age groups of children. We have also met with colleagues in RMBC to work together and tackle childhood obesity.

“We are launching a Borough wide healthy lifestyles strategy which includes action on obesity, diet and exercise and are working with the healthy schools programme and Surestart to promote healthy lifestyles for children of all ages. A Baby Friendly programme is being introduced to promote breast feeding, as evidence suggests a healthy start in life influences children's later weight.
 
“Looking to the future we are planning to develop a care pathway for obese children and adults and we are working with local GPs to help them tackle obesity in primary care.”