Abstract
Background:Childhood obesity is a growing global health concern, with far-reaching implications on health in childhood and in later life. Early intervention strategies are key to reducing childhood obesity. This study aims to evaluate the implementation of an Early Years Nutrition programme in the London Borough of Newham’s children’s centres.Methods:A service evaluation of the Early Years Nutrition programme was conducted at children’s centres within the borough. Information was collected on the sessions provided to parents by staff, breastfeeding promotion and nutritional topics the centres were displaying. Nutritional activities in each centre were assessed for compliance with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.Results: Eight out of eleven (72.7%) centres participated. Parent sessions focused mostly on oral health (n=4/8, 50.0%). Display board topics most commonly related to generic health and wellbeing (n=4/8, 50.0%). All centres displayed the UNICEF breastfeeding logo and complied with the NICE guidelines for nutritional activities.Conclusions:The programme is consistent with NICE guidelines in the centres evaluated; however, further acquisition of data on obesity-associated factors specific to communities and preventive measures for reducing childhood obesity, such as increased parental and community engagement, promotion of breastfeeding and improved staff training, will help tailor similar programmes elsewhere with higher social and cultural acceptance.
Highlights
Obesity in childhood has a significant impact on an individual’s lifelong health and well-being
The current study aimed to assess the implementation of this programme through an evaluation of services offered in Newham’s children’s centres and provide recommendations for wider implementation of similar programmes
We assessed whether nutrition activities of each centre complied with the maternal and child nutrition guidelines (PH11) from the NICE7
Summary
Obesity in childhood has a significant impact on an individual’s lifelong health and well-being. The UK government introduced its childhood obesity strategy ‘A Plan for Action’, in 20163 This plan acknowledged that ‘Long-term, sustainable change will only be achieved through early intervention and active engagement of communities, families, schools and individuals.’. One such effort is the Early Years Nutrition programme, a local strategy in a London borough (Newham). Conclusions: The programme is consistent with NICE guidelines in the centres evaluated; further acquisition of data on obesityassociated factors specific to communities and preventive measures for reducing childhood obesity, such as increased parental and community engagement, promotion of breastfeeding and improved staff training, will help tailor similar programmes elsewhere with higher social and cultural acceptance
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