Student weigh-ins flagged to tackle obesity crisis

IT’S the radical plan to tackle Queensland’s worsening child obesity rate. But authorities aren’t convinced.

SCHOOLCHILDREN should be regularly weighed and measured by school nurses to help tackle Queensland’s obesity crisis, a leading paediatrician says.

As the Labor Government rolls out a $12 million program to re-establish and expand the school nurse program, Associate Professor at the University of Queensland’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience Gary Leong wants students’ biometric data recorded and parents informed of health concerns.

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Dr Leong’s call is backed by the Queensland Nurses Union secretary Beth Mohle, who would welcome a return to “old school” duties, which included monitoring students’ weight and measurements.

“It is a very sensitive issue but I would encourage the Government to consider this as part of the expanded duties of school nurses,’’ she said.

Dr Leong said: “I’m aware that it can be difficult to get consent from some parents who do not want to deal with the data.

“But school is where children spend the most time and it is the ideal place to gather very important numbers.”

The doctor sees first-hand the results of children carrying too much weight with a spike in cases of type 2 diabetes and kids with serious joint problems. Obese children are also at risk of early stages of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome.

Obesity problems have become so extreme there have been cases of doctors removing tonsils to help children with breathing difficulties.

Research from Deakin University’s World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention found that obesity monitoring, while a basic component of prevention, is poorly done in Australia.

The researchers concluded that an “opt out” permission form ensures a high participation rate.

Ms Mohle is a supporter of data collection and intervention.

“Prevention and detection at an early age will means less money will have to be spent on health care in later years,” she said.

“A flashback to the days when the school nurse kept a check on students’ weight and checked for things like scoliosis, poor eyesight, bad hearing and general well-being would be very beneficial.”

Australian Medical Association Queensland president Shaun Rudd said while many parents did not recognise their children were overweight, it was not the job of schools to monitor weight.

“We don’t need scales to spot people who are overweight. Parents need to to be more aware and more involved,” he said.

The Dietitians Association of Australia also does not support weigh-ins at schools.

“Analysing children’s biometric data and implementing strategies to manage their weight and ensure adequate nutrition needs to be done by a health professional with expertise in the area, such as a medical practitioner or accredited practising dietitian,” a spokesperson said.

Health Minister Cameron Dick confirmed school nurses would have broader responsibilities to promote good health and intervene with learning disabilities, but “it is not the intention of this program to conduct a wide-reaching survey of children’s weight”.