Major child health study points to generational change

Thousands of Waikato schoolchildren involved in a regional health programme are fitter and healthier than their national counterparts according to one of the largest child health evaluations ever undertaken in New Zealand.

The region-wide health initiative Project Energize, funded by Waikato District Health Board (DHB) since 2005 and involving partnerships with Māori and Pacific health providers and universities, was introduced into Waikato primary and intermediate schools in 2005. Currently it reaches 44,000 children or approximately 10 per cent of the primary school population of New Zealand.

A vital part of Project Energize are the 27 “Energizers” who work with schools to advise teachers and parents on physical activity and nutrition and to help implement fitness programmes.

A major evaluation of the programme has found Project Energize children are doing significantly better on a range of health measures compared to a range of ‘control’ groups.

The 5110 six to 11 year olds from 192 Waikato primary schools taking part in Project Energize were measured for body size, fitness and attitude to diet. The evaluation found:

Obesity rates at 3% less than recent national averages
Children had a lower body mass index than Waikato children of the same age measured in 2004 and 2006
Waist measurements were substantially less than those measured in Waikato children of the same age measured in 2004 and 2006; 2.3 cm less for 6 to 8 year olds and 4.7 cm less for 9 to 11 year olds
Children were able to run 550 metres 20 seconds (13%) faster compared to national data gathered for the same age groups between 2001 and 2007

A key feature of the study was the more than 3000 questionnaires returned by parents and whānau of children showing up to 76 per cent believed their children’s nutrition and fitness had improved as a result of the programme. As well, 78 per cent of schools reported increased quality of daily fitness.

Waikato DHB paediatrician Dr David Graham said while Project Energize would continue to be evaluated in the coming years, these early findings could point to a generational change in behaviour.

“We need to continue our research to confirm Project Energize is actually making a difference long-term but certainly these results are heartening,” he said.

“The increased levels of fitness found in Project Energize children provides real evidence the programme is having a significant impact.”

Researcher and one of the report’s lead authors, AUT University’s Professor of Nutrition Elaine Rush, said the change in nutrition and fitness as a result of Project Energize would have significant benefits in the coming decades.

“Within another decade or so these children are going to be parents themselves so if we have achieved changes in attitude to health and fitness, we may achieve real generational change and that is a very exciting prospect.”

Project Energize: Backgrounder

Project Energize began in 2005, is funded by Waikato District Health Board. Partners in the project include Sport Waikato and AUT University, University of Waikato, Wintec, Sport and Recreation NZ, National Health Foundation

Children aged from six to 11 years are involve in Project Energize which aims to improve nutrition and physical activity levels in those age groups, reduce obesity rates and reduce cardiovascular risk factors

A total of 44,000 primary and intermediate schoolchildren are now part of Project Energize in 244 Waikato schools

This evaluation involved 5110 of those children from 192 schools and is one of the largest child health studies ever undertaken in New Zealand

Vital to the success of Project Energize are the 27 “Energizers” who work with schools, teachers and parents, giving physical fitness and nutritional advice and helping implement health and fitness programmes

Each Energizer is allocated between 8-12 schools, one dietitian works with the Energizer team

Key findings from this evaluation, which began in March this year, are:

Obesity rates at 3% less than recent national averages
Children weighed on average .5kg less (7 year olds) and .2kg less (10 year olds)
Had waist measurements up to 4.7cm less than national average for age
Ran 20 seconds (13%) faster compared to national data gathered for the same age groups between 2001 and 2007
3000 questionnaires returned by parents and whanau of children showed 76% believed their children’s fitness had improved as a result of the programme
78% of schools reported increased levels of fitness in students

Project Energize children’s health and fitness was compared with a range of national and regional data (control) by age group as well data collected being compared to previous evaluations done for Project Energize
36% of children evaluated were Maori (this is a relatively high participation rate compared with previous child health studies)
3,030 household questionnaires to parents and whanau were completed (again a high response rate) and 30% of households responding were Maori
97.5% of 6 to 8 year olds in this study agreed water was healthy or very healthy
97% of 9 to 11 year olds thought healthy eating was somewhat or very important
Parents and whanau reported 76% of children overall had improved fitness as a result of Project Energize over the past two years
78% of schools reported increased levels of daily fitness for students

Waikato DHB’s expenditure since 2004:
2004/05 $845k
2005/06 $858k
2006/07 $933k
2007/08 $955k
2008/09 $1,167k
2009/10 $1,891k
2010/11 $1,891k
2011/12 $1,907k (budget)

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