Childhood Obesity Targeted Early In New Pilot Program

Thursday, 4th May 2006

The University of Newcastle in partnership with Central Coast Health (part of Northern Sydney Central Coast Health), has been granted $114,000 from the Telstra Foundation over two years to prevent schoolchildren becoming overweight or obese adults.

'Crunchtime: the Confident Healthy Active Me Program', is designed to assist those kids that are above a healthy weight (in year 7) get access to early and effective interventions and prevent more serious health problems in the future.

Currently, around a third of Central Coast schoolchildren are above a healthy weight and, unless they get appropriate help, many of these will become obese adults who develop related diseases such as type 2 diabetes.  The pilot program will provide Central Coast Health a treatment option that did not previously exist and greatly increase the number of children who can be helped.

The University of Newcastle's Professor Val Robertson, based at Gosford Hospital said, "Crunchtime is an exciting pilot program, not only for the researchers but for the kids and parents as well.  This study will help kids attain their healthy weight range in a fun and inclusive way".

"We will be working with Central Coast Health staff from Nutrition Services, Psychology and Physiotherapy which makes this study so different from anything undertaken before," Professor Robertson said.

Crunchtime is a multidisciplinary program, which links with the School Students’ Heights and Weights program, which is another study involving some of the same Central Coast and University of Newcastle researchers, meaning that problems can be detected and treatment can be offered much earlier.   The feedback from the School Students’ Heights and Weights program will be given to parents who will then be offered Crunchtime activities and treatments.

Professor Robertson said, "The pilot will identify how effective Crunchtime is.  If it can change the outcomes for kids in Year 7 who are already above a healthy weight it will offer an important treatment option to prevent obesity and overweight, a growing physical and social epidemic in children". 

Telstra Foundation Chairman, Herb Elliott AC, MBE said that childhood obesity is one of the most significant health problems affecting Australians today and now more than ever, we must ensure our children and young people are regularly engaging in physical activity and making healthy food choices.

"We are now in our third year of supporting projects in the area of childhood obesity and are committed to helping our young people live happy, healthy lives.â€

Professor Robertson acknowledged the opportunity provided by the Telstra Foundation which supports initiatives that better the lives of children and young people.

For comment, contact Professor Val Robertson on 0408 825 762.

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