Fatemeh Rabiee
Birmingham City University ,UK
Title: Community Based Childhood Obesity Intervention Programme: working with parents & schools in Birmingham, UK: challenges & opportunities
Biography
Biography: Fatemeh Rabiee
Abstract
Statement of the Problem: Obesity is a key public health issue affecting both children and adults in developed countries and countries of economic transition (WHO, 2011). Childhood obesity pattern in UK is no different; a quarter of 2-10 and one third of 11-15 year old are overweight or obese (Public Health England, 2014). Obesity harms children’s health both physically and psychologically. Obesity is the outcome of a complex set of factors, its prevention and management therefore requires multiple set of action and life course approach ( Wyatt et al., 2013; Marmot, 2015). This paper begins with highlighting some of the main issues contributing to childhood obesity in the UK and moves on to argue the case for multifaceted investment in prevention.
Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Using 3 cases studies from Children Centres, and Schools in the West Midlands, it compares the process of designing, recruiting participants and implementing “FABTots”, “MEND”, and “Make it Count” community based childhood obesity prevention programmes in diverse communities.
Findings and Discussion: Data highlights the impact and outcome of those 3 projects in childhood obesity and their influences on family dietary practices and food knowledge. It emphasis opportunities as well as constrains of working in community settings. It argues the importance of community development approach & the role of community engagement in goal setting and ownership of intervention programmes.
Recommendations: It concludes that although in most cases these intervention programmes were successful in developing skills and confidence in the respective communities, for sustainability of these programmes the complex impact of lifestyles choices and structural issues should not be overlooked.