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Delivery of the Mend Programme A School Nurse’s Perspective. Presented by Jacqui Lawrence. Why do we need MEND in Flintshire. Obesity is currently one of the worlds largest health and social problems If current trends continue 1/5 th of all boys and 1/3 rd of all girls will be obese by 2010
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Delivery of the Mend ProgrammeA School Nurse’s Perspective Presented by Jacqui Lawrence
Why do we need MEND in Flintshire • Obesity is currently one of the worlds largest health and social problems • If current trends continue 1/5th of all boys and 1/3rd of all girls will be obese by 2010 • Between 40/70% of overweight children become obese adults (Reilly et al 2003) • Obese and overweight children are more likely to suffer from bullying, binge eating and psychological problems, including depression, and social isolation
How did we start? • Early 2008 Obesity awareness training day for Dietitians and School Nurses • April 2008 – Flintshire MEND Pilot funded by NPHS and Flintshire Local Health Board • Programme Manager – NPHS Flintshire • Nutrition/Mind Leaders – 2 School Nurses – Community Development Dietician. • Exercise Leader – Employee of leisure services • Specialist speakers from external agencies to deliver specific sessions i.e. Fussy Eating, Bullying
How did we recruit our kids? Our selection process was varied: - Dietetics School Nurses Leaflet campaign Self Selection Word of Mouth
What Next? We found and secured our venue trying to ensure that all rooms were suitable and available. We set dates and times We informed our chosen families and Mend Pre-programme packs were sent home. Appointment times were made for 15 minute intervals for the initial measurement session.
What worked well! • A Multi-disciplinary team approach. • Pre-prepared materials/resources – easy to understand handouts. • Children and families meeting others with a common purpose – given time and the opportunity for social interaction. • Participants desire and willingness to change. • Opportunistic contact for identification of health and social issues.
What didn’t work so well! • Trying to balance ‘Normal’ workload with running MEND sessions. • Trying to use inadequate areas for the exercise element of the programme. • Limited number of trained team members resulting in inadequate levels of cover for sickness/absence. • Not having the resources to continue to a graduate programme.
Our Results All of our children benefited positively from being part of the programme. All achieved an increase in their exercise tolerance and a reduction in their abdominal girth measurements. The majority had a reduction in their weight . The parents of all the children were both proud of their hard work and commitment and pleased that progress had been made in re-educating their families towards committing to a healthier lifestyle. All of our parents found the programme of benefit and have now formed their own support group.
The Way Forward • July 2008 – Funding secured from the Welsh Assembly Government to roll out the MEND Programme across Wales. • September 2008 initial WAG funded Mend Programme commenced in Flintshire/January 2009 Wrexham • Current programme delivery teams :- Nutrition – Development Dietitian Mind – School Nurse Exercise – Leisure Services.
And Finally The level of commitment required to either lead or be part of a MEND Programme should not be under estimated. Both my colleagues and I found having to commit to and attend all 20 sessions over 10 weeks both extremely tiring as well as exhilarating however as the final few slides will show there are benefits
