Preventing & Managing Childhood Obesity

Date:
Mon - Tue, 08 - 09 Mar 2010
Venue:
** Aerial UTS Function Centre Sydney **
235 Jones Street Level 7 of UTS Building 10, Ultimo, NSW
Cost:
Normal registration $451 inc GST
One day registration $275 inc GST
RCNA CNE Points:
10.5
CPD HOURS:
0

Short Description

Only two years ago, Australian research showed that one in five children was seriously overweight; recent research reveals that the number has increased to one in four children. This is a health issue of concern for all conscientious health professionals. This program is designed for registered nurses who want to be better informed about evidence-based prevention and intervention approaches. Learn about how to work effectively with the children themselves, their parents and the school environment.

  • Objectives
  • Speakers

Objectives

These topics will be covered:

OVERVIEW AND INTRODUCTION TO PROGRAM
Many Australian children and adolescents are overweight or obese.
• What is the incidence in Australian children and what are the health risks?

DEFINING THE PROBLEM
An examination of the definitions of obesity, and the severe impact the condition has on a child’s life.
• What does obesity mean? What are the standards?
• Why is this an issue?
• What are the data?
• What are the results of childhood obesity?
• Why is this an important issue for nurse intervention?

ROOT CAUSES OF CHILDHOOD OBESITY AND DIAGNOSIS
• What are the root causes of childhood obesity?
• How is it diagnosed e.g understanding body mass index?
• Nursing support and advice for the child and family.

THE CLINICAL/TECHNICAL ISSUES - NUTRITION REVIEW
• How weight loss works – energy burning.
• Effects of exercise.
• What nurses need to know.

TREATMENT APPROACHES - WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOESN’T
• Diet.
• Exercise.
• Drugs – Review what’s available and safe for children.
• Surgery.
• Formal weight loss programs.
• Therapy.

WHY NURSES ARE SO IMPORTANT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CHILDHOOD OBESITY
This session will look at the opportunities that exist for nurses to be ‘agents of change’ for health promotion within our community.
Where do nurses connect with children who are obese?
• In the doctor’s office
• In school
• In the hospital
• In scouts and girl guides etc.
• In everyday life – in your children’s lives and their friends
• In your family

WORKING WITH CHILDREN WHO ARE OBESE
• How to talk with children about being overweight.
• Setting goals.
• Getting kids to exercise.
• Nurse involvement:
- Schools
- Doctor’s office
- Neighborhood
• Recording progress:
- Using technology
- Journaling

WORKING WITH PARENTS OF OBESE CHILDREN
• Parental attitudes.
• Talking with children about overweight.
• Family involvement.
• Improving diet:
- Healthy lunches and snacks
- Eating out
• Improving activity level.
• Nurse involvement and strategies.

THE SPECIAL ISSUES AFFECTING ADOLESCENT GIRLS AND OBESITY
• What are the powerful influences on this group of teenagers and their body image?
• What can be done to help them adjust false/innaccurate perceptions?
• How does obesity impact on the sexuality of teenage girls?
• What are the different types of eating disorders, and when does “being plump” change to “being obese?
• Are obese girls more likely to be bullied and why?
• What do nurses need to understand about body image and sexual issues in teenage girls?

NURSES IN THE COMMUNITY PREVENTING CHILDHOOD OBESITY
Family values around food and the way these shape the food prepared for family meals, including food portions, are crucial to the prevention of obesity in children. Public health policies which actively encourage children to make healthy eating choices are just as important as local policies, such as schools having gardening and teaching how to prepare healthy food as part of the curriculum.
Discussion of :
• Advocacy
• Education
• Funding Sources
Questions and comments from the participants will be an integral part of this session.