Background: Low response rates have made interpretation of studies collecting childhood obesity data problematic. Recent analysis from the UK’s National Child Measurement Program suggests that response rates may affect claims of a plateau in childhood obesity, rather than an actual plateau. Typical response rates range from 10% to 60% for most opt-in school based obesity studies. High cost of data collection further hamper these efforts, making routine monitoring data scarce. This study reports on a monitoring system which provides a 90% response rate, which leverages local capacity for the collection, interpretation and use of childhood obesity data.
Method: Using seed funding we approached key community agencies in the Great South Coast Region of Victoria with support from regional Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Education and Training and Primary Care Partnerships. Initial meetings with principal networks resulted in support for routine measurement of children in grades 2, 4 and 6 in all public primary schools. Potential partners to provide capacity for data collection were identified, recruited and trained. Behavioral physical activity, dietary and quality of life information was collected via questionnaire. Height and weight measures collected by trained staff.
Results: In 2015 – 67 public and independent primary schools were approached and 2473 students invited to participate with a response rates for schools of 69% (n=46) and student consent rate of 91% (n=2241). Building on this initial success partners were asked to commit to future monitoring and agreed with a commitment of >$2m for ongoing monitoring in this region.
Conclusion: It is possible to collect routine childhood obesity and behavioral data with very high response rates at relatively low cost. The model proposed here is intended to develop capacity within communities to collect and utilise this data in an ongoing manner with little need for outside support.