Promotion of healthy weights at preschool public health vaccination clinics in Calgary: an obesity surveillance program.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of a surveillance program of overweight and obesity in preschool children in Calgary, and to provide advice for families to promote healthy weights. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING Children (mean age 4.9+/-0.6 years) attending pilot-site clinics in September 2002 and all clinics in Calgary between February 2003-December 2003 (n=7048). INTERVENTION The growth assessment protocol and resources supported a three-pronged approach to promote healthy weights (healthy eating, active living and positive body image). Public health nurses were trained in standardized measurement techniques and information resources. Links with physicians were made to facilitate continuity of care. Children's weight and height measurements were plotted on the Weight-for-Stature growth chart and used to identify children as obese (> or =95th percentile), healthy weight (> or =5th, <95th) or underweight (<5th). Subsequent analysis calculated the Body Mass Index (BMI)-for-Age to identify overweight children (> or =85th, <95th percentile). The protocol was pilot tested and subsequently implemented in all Calgary public health clinics. OUTCOMES The majority (98%) of parents were either very happy or happy with information received during the visit. Public health nurse counselling confidence significantly improved after the pilot (p<0.001). Data indicated that 9% of children were obese, 15% were overweight and 3% were underweight. INTERPRETATION This approach to identifying children's weight status appeared satisfactory to stakeholders, maximized use of existing resources to establish a surveillance program for Calgary, and provided an opportunity to give parents health-promoting advice on healthy weights.