Saleh Mohamed, Ba-Break Maryam, Abahussin Asma
Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, International Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
J Health Popul Nutr. 2024 Dec 18;43(1):217. doi: 10.1186/s41043-024-00713-1.
Childhood obesity is a growing global health issue. The World Health Organization identifies obesity as a significant risk factor for Non-Communicable Diseases and considers it a pandemic. This study aimed to investigate headteachers' perspectives and practices concerning childhood obesity prevention interventions in primary schools highlighting the barriers and facilitators for those interventions.
This qualitative study used a phenomenological approach and semi-structured interviews with headteachers of primary schools in the West Yorkshire area, UK. The collected data was transcribed and analysed using inductive thematic analysis.
A total of 32 interviews with headteachers were conducted. The data indicated that interventions meant to prevent childhood obesity in schools are influenced by a range of barriers and facilitators that are organized under the following seven key themes: (1) staff perception of obesity prevention at school; (2) school policies on eating at schools; (3) School curriculum on healthy diets and physical activities; (4) role models at school; (5) partnership with parents; (6) extra-curricular activities on healthy diets and physical activities; (7) School capacity and resources.
Childhood obesity prevention interventions vary across UK schools depending on staff and head teachers' beliefs, awareness, commitments, school resources, parents' involvement and parents' awareness, income, and culture. The study suggests raising awareness of childhood obesity among parents and staff, involving external partners like school nurses for training, making all primary pupils eligible for free meals, and providing schools with guidance on securing government funding. It provides a foundation for improving school-based strategies that indirectly contribute to better health outcomes for children.
儿童肥胖是一个日益严重的全球健康问题。世界卫生组织将肥胖确定为非传染性疾病的一个重要风险因素，并将其视为一种流行病。本研究旨在调查校长对小学儿童肥胖预防干预措施的看法和做法，突出这些干预措施的障碍和促进因素。
这项定性研究采用现象学方法，对英国西约克郡地区小学的校长进行了半结构化访谈。收集到的数据进行了转录，并采用归纳主题分析法进行分析。
共对校长进行了32次访谈。数据表明，学校旨在预防儿童肥胖的干预措施受到一系列障碍和促进因素的影响，这些因素归纳为以下七个关键主题：（1）学校工作人员对肥胖预防的认知；（2）学校关于饮食的政策；（3）学校关于健康饮食和体育活动的课程；（4）学校中的榜样；（5）与家长的合作；（6）关于健康饮食和体育活动的课外活动；（7）学校的能力和资源。
英国各学校预防儿童肥胖的干预措施因工作人员和校长的信念、意识、承诺、学校资源、家长的参与度以及家长的意识、收入和文化而异。该研究建议提高家长和工作人员对儿童肥胖的认识，让学校护士等外部合作伙伴参与培训，使所有小学生都有资格享受免费餐食，并为学校提供获取政府资金的指导。它为改进以学校为基础的策略奠定了基础，这些策略间接有助于改善儿童的健康状况。
