Health Measurements

This report details the methods used in the Health measurements of Year 9 and Year 10 Linwood College students using the internationally recognised BMI charts, the waist, Fat Index and Blood Pressure measurements.

It examines the 2006 Ministry of Health paper "An Analysis of the Usefulness and Feasibility of a Population Indicator of Childhood Obesity" and utilises its recommendations and validates the study undertaken in this project.

It details the efforts taken to ensure consistency and accuracy of these measurements and the results obtained. Barriers to learning, medical ones in particular were to be targeted in 2006 at Linwood College as part of an ongoing study by LANE - (Literacy And Numeracy Empowerment project)

The Collaborative for Research and Training in Youth Health and Development would have a team of health professionals examining the Eyes, Ears, Nose and Throat, and a Dental check and Linwood College would examine the Demographics, Aerobic Fitness, Health measurements, HEADSS assessment for mental health and academic performance and pastoral care of the students.

Rather than just testing the year 9 and year 10 students, which may become a negative experience, Linwood College turned it into an Expo on Health and made it a positive experience with a number of freebies and pamphlet takeaways. This was achieved in addition to the assessments of the students and the following exhibited. NZ Blood Service, Cancer Society, Auhi Kore / Smokefree, Diverse café / 198 Youth, Heart Foundation, Sports & Rec Kaiwhakahaere, Mental Health Foundation, Sport Canterbury.

The Health measurement is one facet of this larger study and produced some surprising results when compared to the results quoted in An Analysis of the Usefulness and Feasibility of a Population Indicator of Childhood Obesity. Ministry of Health, 2006. Wellington.

Some 30% of New Zealand students are reported to be obese.

Obesity is related to exercise and aerobic fitness levels.

This Linwood College study places 17% of its students in the obese category and 13% of students in the overweight category.

What this probably really means is the BMI charts used in the Obesity study which are for European, North American students are not equipped to take cognisance of the Maori and Pacifica makeup of our population and that some research needs to be done on standardising some charts specifically for New Zealand children.

It does raise some other issues for SPARC, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health and others charged with our children's' health and wellbeing. Perhaps the children are not as unfit or obese as the official message is being painted and some other research needs to be done elsewhere to either confirm the picture portrayed at Linwood or to confirm that Linwood students are indeed less obese than those in the rest of New Zealand.

It recommends that there needs to be a comprehensive study to ascertain relevant New Zealand BMI charts and this needs to be linked to Aerobic Fitness rather than arbitrary percentage population levels.